No AIR to live

Families suffer as EIGHT times more suitable properties are on Airbnb than are available to rent

- DANNY DE VAAL

THERE are eight times more family homes on holiday rental site Airbnb as are available for long-term renters, an investigation by this newspaper has found.

An analysis of Airbnb showed there were more than 8,100 full properties suitable for families around the country.

Yet there are only 1,175 for long-term rental on the top property website Daft.

The figures are revealed as the numbers of homeless reached a record high of over 12,000 with families making up the largest rise.

The increase, which includes nearly 4,000 children, comes after the Government lifted the eviction ban.

Housing expert Rory Hearne told the Irish Daily Mirror our analysis shows lucrative Airbnb is taking a lot of homes from people that should be available for long-term rent.

"It is contributing significantly to the housing crisis," said Hearne.

"The use of homes as short-term tourist lets is a major problem. Across the country, people tell us landlords are evicting and then use the property as short-term Airbnbs." Earlier this year, it was revealed a landlord of an apartment block in Dublin had evicted tenants in 2022 and claimed he was selling the property.

But the council found he was using it for unauthorised holiday letting.

Owners of short-term lets located in Rent Pressure Zones areas such as Dublin, where high rents are curbed -must apply for planning permission from local authorities.