Page 43 - Port Douglas Magazine 27

23 Murphy Street,
Port Douglas

Short-term

stays not

all bad for

strata living

WORDS by Rob Whyte

HE holiday accommodation industry However, Rob believes many things can be done and all owners are treated on the same footing
has undergone a revolution in recent to ensure short-term holidaymakers are in fact a according to their unit entitlements.
Tyears, with the market share of benefi t to the strata scheme.
“Th e constant challenge for a body corporate is
privately-owned, short term holiday rental
“Short-term holiday rentals are marketing to to strike a balance between its competing duties
properties increasing at the expense of more
international visitors, which helps the building and responsibilities to its stakeholders,” Rob
traditional holiday accommodation providers. become a more powerful brand and increases says.
Th e idea of sharing property resources owned by the value of the property,” he says.
“Owners are free to use their private property
private individuals through organisations such
and enjoy communal property as they please,
as Airbnb has taken off across the globe.
within the confi nes of any legal restraints.”
“Accommodation spaces that would lie empty
Laws governing strata schemes do not provide
when the owners were not in residence “Short-term holiday rentals remedies where confl ict arises between diff erent
are increasingly being made available for owners within the scheme regarding the use of
holiday lettings,” says Rob Whyte, director are marketing to international
their lot.
of accommodation provider the Boutique visitors, which helps the
Collection. Where diffi culties arise, it falls to the body
building become a more corporate to try and provide a solution.
“Th e benefi ts to both the owner and
However, the body corporate cannot take any
holidaymaker are mutually rewarding.” powerful brand and increases action or make any by-law which is inconsistent
However, when the property is a unit, villa or with the property’s planning legislation, and
the value of the property,”
townhouse that is part of a strata scheme, Rob if the use in question is permitted under the
says there are other interests to be considered. planning legislation, then the body corporate
has no power to prohibit or control the use.
“Th ese are, fi rstly, the welfare of the individual
owners of other lots in the strata scheme and, More amenities like on-site restaurants and bars “Social and economic developments occur
secondly, the collective interest of those owners are also possible where there are short-term constantly and create new issues in their wake,”
as represented by the body corporate,” he says. holiday rentals.” He says having reception staff Rob says. “Th e question of how to eff ectively
“When the availability of accommodation is and management on-site will not only make the manage short-term holiday letting in strata title
advertised to the public at large, the amenity building “feel more alive”, but heighten security, complexes is an example of this.”
and security of a strata complex may be enforce by-laws and allow the provision of more Th e Boutique Collection off ers resort-style
compromised. services for both residents and guests. Body rooms, luxury apartments and private homes in
corporates are responsible for the management Tropical North Queensland.
“Th ere is a real possibility of interference in
of common property within a strata plan.
the enjoyment of other owners, particularly
Management committees make rules and by-
full-time occupiers. Th e frequent comings and Visit theboutiquecollection.com.au or call
laws and manage expenses associated with the
goings of short-term holidaymakers and their 4059 4482 for more information.
maintenance and quality of services provided
behaviour may not be conducive to the quiet
by the complex. Th ese tasks are designed to suit
residential atmosphere residents expect.”
the intended use of the units in the complex
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 43