The NSW Government has introduced a mandatory Code of Conduct for the Short Term Rental Accommodation Industry that applies from 18 December 2020. The Code of Conduct provides guidelines for guests, hosts, booking platforms, letting agents and facilitators relating to booking and staying in short-term rental accommodation in New South Wales.
The Code also establishes a complaints system, which is available to neighbours of short-term holiday letting premises, strata committees and owners corporations. These complaints will be assessed by the Commissioner at NSW Fair Trading and may result in a strike.
The Code establishes a ‘2 strikes and you’re out’ policy. Hosts or guests who commit 2 serious breaches of the Code within 2 years will be banned for 5 years. Platforms and letting agents will not be permitted to offer services to anyone, or any dwelling, that is listed on the exclusion register.
The code does not change existing complaint handling processes for NSW Police and local councils. Contact your local council if you have an issue or complaint relating to fire safety (including overcrowding), planning approvals, parking or ongoing noise. You can contact the Quiet Neighbour Hotline on 02 6626 6888 or the police for urgent noise issues.