Becoming an Airbnb Host - short term letting

toolerb

Hi Gang,

Just looking for some advice, from anyone who is or has been an Airbnb host.

We live in a rural area approx. 3km from our local village which is very popular to tourists, hiking, walks, cycling etc.

We had a derelict granny flat at the back of our garden that we recently renovated. My brother is currently living there and will be travelling on an off for the next few years. When he is away we would like to do short term lets and everything points to Airbnb. I understand at this present moment the issue we have with the housing crises, however we don't want to go down the road of long term letting as primarily this will be my brothers main place of residence when he is home.

We have read up and understand we need to log planning permission with our local council for short term letting. Also need to declare the income for tax purposes.

My questions are:

We are in a high pressure rent zone - will that hinder the PP - even though we cannot offer to let it long term?

How much tax % are we facing? is it worth doing?

Would you recommend getting an accountant to look after the end of year finances or is it easy enough to do yourself?

Any other insight or advise for becoming an Airbnb host?

Thanks all.

Caranica

You won't get permission in a RPZ for AirBnB so the rest of your questions are moot.

toolerb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414239#Comment_120414239

Thanks.. Is that really the case? as there are many AirBNBs and holiday rentals around our area?

cml387

Is this a separate building/apartment in the garden away from the house?

toolerb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414298#Comment_120414298

Yes it is. Its a cabin type dwelling.

DownByTheGarden

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414290#Comment_120414290

If you are in a tourist area you will get planning permission. I know someone in Skibereen who applied and got planning permission to airbnb a house 6 months ago.

carrickbawn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414382#Comment_120414382

Is Skibbereen now a designated RPZ. I doubt it.?

Oat23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414239#Comment_120414239

Every single person who has applied for PP in Sligo (a RPZ) has had it granted over the past 6 months. There's been at least 10 applications so far with a 100% approval rate.

Is that fair/right? Probably not. It goes against government advice. But it's what is happening.

DownByTheGarden

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414448#Comment_120414448

Skibereen is just the last one I know of. I know a few in other places too that got it before last summer. One is in Killarney and another in Meath. Dont know if they are rent pressure zone though. But people are getting PP for airbnb. Where do you get the idea that nobody is getting it?

Dial Hard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414316#Comment_120414316

Did you have planning permission for that in the first place???

toolerb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414783#Comment_120414783

Yes it has full PP now. Was run down / derlict (separate dwelling) previous owners of our property never had PP for it, so as part of our sale it went through the legal hoops of having it approved.

arctictree

Planning and Housing are seperate departments in the council and sometimes their aims are conflicting. If a property meets all the conditions for a tourist let then why shouldnt it get planning? The housing dept has no say in these decisions.

mrslancaster

Is PP needed now for AirBnB in your own home? I thought the PP was just when it was not your primary residence and in an RPZ. If its a PPR then up to 90 days annually in blocks of up to 14 days is exempt when the owner is not there. Obviously if the owner is there then its a guest / license situation and nothing to do with PP. Maybe Im reading it wrong

Edit: Added link to summary of the regulations from DCC

https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/planning/planning-applications/planning-enforcement/short-term-lettings

toolerb

Thanks guys, yes its quite confusing - and we want to do everything by the book. Confusing into what category it falls into at the moment.

I know in the future there is plans to register with Failte Ireland etc, but not sure what happens at the moment.

The Spider

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414767#Comment_120414767

If they’re not RPZ’s rou don’t need planning permission, just lash it up on Airbnb