Regulate AirB&B
From "Comment on the City's Draft Short-Term Letting By-Law"
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Good afternoon,
Cape Town is extremely seasonal, meaning that in summer we're swamped with booking request, but in winter we're almost completely empty, because the few overseas visitors go to the numerous AirB&B's.
AirB&B is nothing less than illegal competition to the hotel industry: they dont pay the same rates (might be changing FINALLY), they don't have overheads & they don't need to comply with any of the regulations & other by-laws enforced at a tremendous cost to the hotel industry.
Even if they stay empty during the long winters, they don't care since the revenue generated during the high season covers them for the year. Letting strictly on short term to overseas visitors, their properties are out of reach for locals.
Overseas visitors should be able to buy properties in CPT, but they shouldn't be allowed to rent them out. Besides, they should prove that they will stay a minimum of X months/year. Look at what other countries did in that regard, such as Switzerland to curb the number of holiday chalets being built all over.
Prior to implementing any laws, approach all stakeholders, the associations (ratepayers, FEDHASA), the hotel owners, large & small, THEN only act.
The CoCT is losing so much in rates in my suburb only. There are so many private residences turned cheaply into student digs. This must be a very lucrative business considering the number of investors doing so, with some having not just 1 but up to 4 properties! This is a business and as such they should be charged business rates.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kind regards / Yves