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Displaying the 5 latest comments.
Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2026-06-11 08:57:39 +02:00 | Marco | No I do not | All of the above | Economic Impact | |
2026-06-10 15:10:57 +02:00 | Wandile | Yes I do | No concern, I Support the Gazette | I strongly support the introduction of comprehensive regulations for the short-term rental sector. The rapid growth of short-term accommodation has contributed to the displacement of working-class and low-income communities from well-located neighbourhoods in Cape Town, as residential properties are increasingly converted into tourist accommodation for higher returns. This has intensified gentrification, reduced the supply of long-term rental housing, and pushed many residents to the urban periphery, far from employment opportunities and essential services. I believe the primary purpose of housing should be to provide homes for people, not to serve as an unrestricted investment vehicle at the expense of local communities. Reasonable regulation of short-term rentals is therefore necessary to protect housing affordability, preserve community cohesion, and advance spatial justice in a city that is still grappling with the legacy of apartheid spatial planning. I support measures that improve transparency, accountability, and oversight of the sector, including appropriate registration requirements and limits where necessary to prevent the excessive conversion of residential housing into commercial accommodation. Such regulations should strike a fair balance between supporting tourism and safeguarding the constitutional imperative of creating inclusive, equitable, and sustainable cities for all residents. | |
2026-06-10 11:13:32 +02:00 | Helga | No I do not | All of the above | Data Privacy | Let's be reasonable this is another way to get more money to fill your corrupt pockets. Hosts already pay municipal bills for these properties. Holiday makers pay for fuel (you own fuel stations) to get to these locations. So how greedy are you? The hosts also pay Airbnb and Booking.com fees. You just want to find other ways to tax them on their rental. Rental units are already part of taxes. We pay taxes and tariffs. Stop misusing the funds and stop corruption instead of finding other avenues to take more money from us, this is a form of extortion. |
2026-06-07 12:25:42 +02:00 | Elise | No I do not | All of the above | Regulatory Overreach | Die regering wil ons lewe moeilik maak op alle gebiede maar hulle steel alle geld. |
2026-06-07 12:25:41 +02:00 | Elise | No I do not | All of the above | Regulatory Overreach | Die regering wil ons lewe moeilik maak op alle gebiede maar hulle steel alle geld. |
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- Fair Competition: It levels the playing field between Airbnbs and traditional hotels/B&Bs that pay commercial rates and tourism levies
- Housing Availability: Regulating STRs prevents long-term rental stock from being depleted, making housing more affordable for locals.
- Safety & Quality: It ensures a minimum standard of safety (smoke detectors, insurance) for international and local tourists. Guests deserve the same safety and insurance protections in an Airbnb as they get in a 5-star hotel.
- Community Harmony: It gives residents and Body Corporates a framework to manage noise, parking, and security issues caused by transient guests.
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- Privacy: Forcing guests to submit to government-tracked data sharing is a violation of privacy that will drive tourists to other destinations.
- Livelihood Threat: Many South Africans rely on STR income to pay their mortgages and survive the cost-of-living crisis; over-regulation kills this “side-hustle”.
- Property Rights: A homeowner should have the right to use their private property as they see fit without government-mandated caps on occupancy.
- Administrative Overkill: The requirements are too “corporate” for a simple room-sharing arrangement and will discourage new entrants.
- Privacy Risk: Forcing platforms to share personal data with the state is an overreach that risks the security of both hosts and guests.
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