More than 300 properties in Sutherland Shire are registered on home renting websites such as Airbnb and, generally, operate without complaint.
This was revealed in a report by council staff on an options paper for better managing the sector, which was circulated by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
The staff report, which was endorsed at the council meeting on Monday, recommended a minimal approach to regulation.
The council agreed to support better control of short-term holiday letting through a combination of exempt and complying development, stronger Strata by-laws, and compulsory registration of properties, with industry self-management of complaints.
“It is important that council only take control of things that it can effectively and efficiently manage,” the report said.
“Given the complex and varied nature of Short Term Holiday Letting (STHL), and the fact that the sector is largely operating without complaint in Sutherland Shire at present, a minimal approach to regulation is appropriate.”
The report said the use of complying development was appropriate for STHL because it allowed safety issues to be certified prior to visitors using the premises.
“Any amenity complaints are best addressed by an industry association because...compliance action by council would not be effective.”