# comments - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-short-term-letting/comments/ - Published: 2026-08-10T15:01:48+02:00 - Author: dearSA _Advert_ _Advert – scroll down_ Displaying the **5** latest comments. [ view more ...](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-short-term-letting/comments2/) | Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message | | 2026-11-01 07:23:36 +02:00 | Bianke | Yes I do | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | | | | 2026-10-29 22:15:29 +02:00 | Sarah | Not fully | Other | | I support the idea to charge commercial rates based on calendar availability, for when the whole unit is available OR the owner does not live at the property but rooms are rented out. Like any business, they pay the rates used, at business rate, regardless of occupation sold (like any hospitality business). I do not agree to charge commercial rates based on calendar availability for rooms rentals, when the owner lives at the property. These rooms do not impact long term rental options in the same way that short term whole unit rental does, and this would allow those who rent rooms anyway, to maintain current cost status.This also disincentives foreign owners from simply buying and renting out properties they've never live in or possibly even visit. Fines and further escalation make sense but should be appropriate to the infraction, like any crime. | | 2026-10-27 11:01:10 +02:00 | Eberhardt | No I do not | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | | | | 2026-10-25 12:04:51 +02:00 | Nomkhosi | No I do not | Data Privacy Risks, POPIA Compliance & Mandatory Platform Sharing | | | | 2026-10-23 13:38:53 +02:00 | Eugene | Yes I do | No concern, I Support the By-Law | | Foreign ownership has driven house prices above what locals can afford. Short term rentals are a major reason for this. | [What SUPPORTERS Say (Pro-Regulation & Parity)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-short-term-letting/comments/#1770892117175-dfc38055-c8382881-c408daf3-dfda) - _Level Playing Field: _ Traditional hotels, B&Bs, and registered guesthouses pay commercial rates and utility tariffs. Dedicated full-time Airbnbs operating as commercial businesses should contribute equal municipal rates. - _Infrastructure Contribution:_ High-density tourist rentals place heavier loads on municipal roads, water, waste, and security infrastructure in tourist hubs. Commercial rates ensure fair municipal cost recovery. - _Consumer Protection:_ A verified municipal registry helps eliminate online rental scams and fake listings, giving holidaymakers confidence in legitimate accommodation. _“Mandatory municipal registration protects tourists from fake listings and accommodation scams. Displaying an official City registration number guarantees the property is legitimate and traceable.”_ [What OPPONENTS Say (Anti-Overreach & Economic Burden)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-short-term-letting/comments/#1770892117205-3c7c32e1-ce3d2881-c408daf3-dfda) - _Flawed “Availability” Test:_ Taxing hosts based on open calendar days rather than actual income penalises owners whose properties sit empty off-peak. An empty flat listed online earns zero revenue yet gets hit with a commercial tax penalty. - _Punishing Household Survival:_ Middle-class families, retirees, and single- property owners rely on seasonal holiday letting to cover skyrocketing bond rates, electricity tariffs, and living costs. - _Inflated Prices for Guests & Tourists:_ Reclassifying rentals onto commercial rates increases operational costs by up to 135%. Hosts will pass these costs onto guests, making Cape Town less affordable for domestic South African families. - _Draconian Sanctions & POPIA Risks:_ Threatening property owners and tech platforms with 6 months in prison over administrative registration numbers is excessive. Automated data-sharing between global platforms and municipal databases raises personal privacy concerns under POPIA. _“Slapping commercial property rates on holiday lets will simply result in higher prices at checkout. Domestic South African families looking for affordable beach holidays will be priced out, while small local businesses, restaurants, and transport operators will suffer if tourist spending decreases.”_ [ have your say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-short-term-letting/#havasay)