Airbnb and the Hidden Barriers to Effective Regulation: A Case Study of Short-Term Rentals in Tasmania

Abstract

ABSTRACT The ubiquitous and rapid growth of Airbnb is shifting urban and policy landscapes across the globe, creating urgent need for new and effective regulation. Few studies map and analyse the evolution of regulatory regimes over time in order to identify the barriers to effective longer-term regulation. This is a case study of how the Tasmanian state government has responded to the rapid growth of short-term rentals (STRs) over four years, in the face of challenging housing market impacts. The identification of a range of hidden barriers to regulation demonstrates that even when governments appear to be pro-active, new legislation may fail to deliver desired outcomes and meaningful reform.