To: Galway City Council
Galway City Council-hold illegal AirBnB hosts responsible
Dear Galway City Council,
As you are aware, the vast majority of AirBnb’s in this city do not have planning permission to become short term lets, and a large majority of them are therefore operating illegally.
These illegal Airbnb’s have been illegally converted from long term houses for locals- living working and studying here- into short term rentals for tourists. These illegal short term lets will likely never be converted back into long term housing without your intervention.
The law states that renting in rent pressure zones (now nationwide), is, “a material change in the use of the house", and are therefore required to be approved by the local planning authority.
Insufficient and unenforced regulation is allowing the illegal proliferation of these short term lets, with only 4% of Airbnbs in Galway City having the necessary planning permission.
As you are aware, this housing crisis is crippling families, students, and individuals who desperately need long term housing in Galway City.
As you are aware, the vast majority of AirBnb’s in this city do not have planning permission to become short term lets, and a large majority of them are therefore operating illegally.
These illegal Airbnb’s have been illegally converted from long term houses for locals- living working and studying here- into short term rentals for tourists. These illegal short term lets will likely never be converted back into long term housing without your intervention.
The law states that renting in rent pressure zones (now nationwide), is, “a material change in the use of the house", and are therefore required to be approved by the local planning authority.
Insufficient and unenforced regulation is allowing the illegal proliferation of these short term lets, with only 4% of Airbnbs in Galway City having the necessary planning permission.
As you are aware, this housing crisis is crippling families, students, and individuals who desperately need long term housing in Galway City.
In the last 12 months alone - rents in Galway have increased by 12.6% - and the average monthly rent in Galway city is now €2,304.
People are now living in cars or hostels in order to survive-or they are also being forced to move out of Galway. Having to commute an hour-or more-to work or school and back is not acceptable. Living in a hostel is not acceptable. The situation is dire.
We desperately ask you to hold these illegal Airbnb hosts accountable.
Why is this important?
We desperately need the Galway City Council to stop the illegal Airbnb’s from operating. Galway families, students, and individuals who live and work here need long term housing to continue operating as long term housing stock rather than permanently become illegal short term lets.
