Advert
Advert – scroll down
Displaying the 30 latest comments.
Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2026-09-21 11:29:19 +02:00 | Rudi | No I do not | Administrative Complexity, Backdated Rates & De-Registration Red Tape | The economy of Cape town is only favoring the international community and strong business concerns The normal 8-8 person is slaving just to make a living .It should be the right of every homeowner ,guesthouse owner to have some sort of possible income from his home .After all he has spend his whole life all paying city council taxes and a large part of his salary with extraordinary bank costs to own a home and keep it maintained. This is his office ,his business The home owner takes the risk of a non payment and other complications. He is not allowed a start up any kind of business without the consent of the council. While the DA controlled Cape town has been exceptional and a place to move to, however , since joining the GNU, it has lost all common sense and support for our rural and normal community. They have been captured by the draconian ANC, who plunder and rape the economy time and time again Here is your a plan(Please get help from countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, Czechoslovakia) 1 reduces taxes. 2 build large flats to accommodate all people living in shacks, create a repayment plan for these owners, property encourages people self image and positivity 3. Create job training centers to skill artisans electricians, computer experts building contractors.4. Appoint responsible public servants If They are corrupt straight to jail! .5 Create a 10% savings deduction from each person over 18 doesn't matter how small ,give them a sense of pride, belonging, joy and above all hope. Use this investment as a way to acquire property which give wealth ,pay a deserved pension ( flex bond) . abusive fines really? fear fear fear while we pay your salaries I firmly stand against this policy and will march march or go refuse to pay | |
2026-09-21 10:33:01 +02:00 | johanita | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | |
2026-09-21 10:13:14 +02:00 | Leendert | No I do not | All of the above | Administrative Complexity, Backdated Rates & De-Registration Red Tape | |
2026-09-21 10:07:29 +02:00 | Michael | Yes I do | No concern, I Support the By-Law | ||
2026-09-21 09:14:42 +02:00 | Dries | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | |
2026-09-21 09:05:27 +02:00 | Jeanette | Yes I do | Other | There is no explanation of what to do for properties that ARE already zones as a business and are paying business rates, as we are. Must we register? | |
2026-09-21 08:54:37 +02:00 | Jeannette | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | |
2026-09-21 03:15:08 +02:00 | Rudie | No I do not | All of the above | Listed Availability vs. Actual Booked Occupancy (Flawed Tariff Test) | |
2026-09-19 19:48:34 +02:00 | Veronique | No I do not | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | ||
2026-09-19 14:14:08 +02:00 | Lorenzo | No I do not | All of the above | Consumer Impact: Higher Nightly Accommodation Rates & Reduced Choice | |
2026-09-19 12:48:43 +02:00 | Johnny | No I do not | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | ||
2026-09-19 11:33:02 +02:00 | Nicola | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | The city is beyond over reach at this stage. We are still paying supplemental water rates bills from drought times, our rates have all increased due to incredibly high property evaluations. Our family hasn’t had an increase in salary income in 3 years but our expensive have gone up a minimum of 20% and we are all financially struggling. We have been forced to let our house out on airbnb in Dec to supplement our basic income to cover our basic expenses. Now the city wants to curb this earning opportunity as well. You’re going to force the middle class out of Cape Town because we can’t afford to live here anymore. Start serving and listening to the people and stop micromanaging everybody’s potential earnings. We’re exhausted by just keeping up with the basics. |
2026-09-19 09:23:09 +02:00 | Jean | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Tourism Competitiveness, SMMEs & Informal Jobs | |
2026-09-19 08:17:15 +02:00 | Caitlin | Yes I do | All of the above | Fair Competition: Aligning Dedicated Commercial Lets with Hotels | I support this proposal, so long as this applies solely to short-term rentals and not to long-term rentals. That would push people away from short-term rental structures and help the current housing crisis by opening the market to actually assist people who need homes, not just people who want to live it up for a few days. By having long-term tenants, you also build a stronger community by prioritising people who’ll be around for longer, which in turn makes the area safer and friendlier. In regard to the penalties proposed, I think the jail time is absolutely necessary - coupled with some kind of warning structure. If the landlord has been adequately notified and record of that exists, but the landlord has refused to become compliant, then jail-time is a valid response. Why jail-time and not a fine? For the wealthiest entities who own massive short-term rental portfolios, fines and penalties have no tangible meaning and become just another administrative fee in a very profitable business. Jail time is not so easily swallowed. So long as this proposal is well considered and conscientiously implemented, I believe it to be a deeply necessary step in combating the blatantly profit-driven housing crisis, where young people cannot find a home but are surrounded by unoccupied houses. |
2026-09-19 07:52:46 +02:00 | Theresa | No I do not | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | ||
2026-09-19 05:58:36 +02:00 | Robert | No I do not | All of the above | Fair Competition: Aligning Dedicated Commercial Lets with Hotels | |
2026-09-19 05:00:50 +02:00 | Jenny | No I do not | All of the above | Listed Availability vs. Actual Booked Occupancy (Flawed Tariff Test) | I feel that individuals should have the right to choose what they want to do with their properties. Income taxes are already levied on any income received. If anything there is less load on the services as these units are not 100% occupied unlike when rented long term. |
2026-09-18 23:26:47 +02:00 | Telsa | Yes I do | No concern, I Support the By-Law | ||
2026-09-18 20:39:38 +02:00 | Judy | Not fully | Listed Availability vs. Actual Booked Occupancy (Flawed Tariff Test) | ||
2026-09-18 19:53:10 +02:00 | Chris | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | |
2026-09-18 18:26:38 +02:00 | Suzette | No I do not | Threat to Tourism Competitiveness, SMMEs & Informal Jobs | This will ruin tourism in South Africa. The reason people come here is because of the affordability of guesthouses. They would not come here if they had to stay in expensive hotels. Then this will also impact spending of foreigners in South Africa in restaurants and in shops and for tourism in general. The flights here are already very expensive but South Africa is still an attractive destination because of the relatively inexpensive accommodation. If these unreasonable laws are imposed on guesthouse owners, many will close, there won’t be enough available and it will drastically ruin tourism In South Africa. Tourism is one of the best businesses for South Africa. Not a good idea at all. Everyone will suffer, jobs will be lost and much fewer people will visit. Is that what the government really wants? I doubt it very much! | |
2026-09-18 17:44:03 +02:00 | Allison | No I do not | All of the above | Fair Competition: Aligning Dedicated Commercial Lets with Hotels | If a foreigner has purchased a full home or apartment and run it as an airbnb all year round, sure charge them but if a local has made a space in their home available for short term letting it should not be affected. You can not compare a section of a private home to a small hotel or hotel running on a corporate rate. Rates and traced have already increased above our income increases which is making it very hard to afford without renting out space in our homes. |
2026-09-18 17:36:50 +02:00 | Kerrin | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | |
2026-09-18 16:44:02 +02:00 | Billy | Not fully | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | Citizens have to pay tax on income from short term leasing in any event and now they must also pay for registration which is likely to be an additional burden. I think transgressing the POPIA can be avoided with a well designed platform. What is the motive behind the City wanting to see all the bookings? In any event bookings change all the time and the so called 50% would be in flux, what will be the start date etc? Ultimately what will the the City give the registrant in return? Safety? Better municipal services? Etc. It cannot ensure these now. I agree that once this is in place it will be very difficult to remove., another reason it should be contested. We're currently living in difficult times and they're not going to get any easier. Let's think carefully about who will benefit from this law. |
2026-09-18 16:36:38 +02:00 | Kath | No I do not | Listed Availability vs. Actual Booked Occupancy (Flawed Tariff Test) | ||
2026-09-18 16:07:39 +02:00 | Ryan | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Tourism Competitiveness, SMMEs & Informal Jobs | Many jobs are created by air B&B‘s government is sticking its fingers into areas it doesn’t belong. |
2026-09-18 15:54:31 +02:00 | Diane | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Tourism Competitiveness, SMMEs & Informal Jobs | This would adversely affect tourism in Cape Town, where a great number of people are employed in this sector. For all concerned this would seriously impact income in this age of rising costs |
2026-09-18 15:45:55 +02:00 | Anacy | No I do not | All of the above | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | |
2026-09-18 15:37:59 +02:00 | Di | No I do not | Threat to Supplemental Household Income & Rising Cost of Living | If the City want to formalise and register Air B&Bs, it should only apply to properties that are unoccupied by their owners and rented out in their entirety not to houses that let one room out on a seasonal basis to assist with household income. Income tax is already being deducted from the latter - an additional city tax, red tape and easily imposed penalties is outrageous | |
2026-09-18 14:55:01 +02:00 | hermien | No I do not | All of the above | Excessive Sanctions & Criminalisation of Administrative Errors |
-
- 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.
- Level Playing Field:
“Mandatory municipal registration protects tourists from fake listings and accommodation scams. Displaying an official City registration number guarantees the property is legitimate and traceable.”
-
- 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.
- Flawed “Availability” Test:
“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.”