CITY of Fremantle residents who rent their entire property for short term residential accommodation, such as Air BnB, will face an increase annual rates.
The change will only affect property owners who rent out their whole property.
City of Fremantle director of city business Glen Dougall said there were approximately 330 registered short term accommodation providers in Fremantle.
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READ NOW“We will review digital media to check against our records,” he said.
“ If the City becomes aware of a short term accommodation provider that isn’t registered we will write to the property owner to assess the property use.
“To date no-one has been prosecuted or fined for not being registered.
“The City is not considering any policy change in this area.”
Mr Dougall said the differential rate was not expected to have a significant impact on the budget.
The average increase to affected property owners’ rates bills will be $190, with about 184 properties affected.
“It just ensures these properties contribute at the same rate as other accommodation businesses like hotels,” he said.
Several community members spoke about the changes with residents asking why the change was being implemented when the economy was going through a downturn.
Fremantle Chamber of Commerce chief executive Owen Williams said she supported the rate rise as it gave an even playing field for hotels in Fremantle.