The emergence of more private homes in Yarrawonga Mulwala becoming short stay holiday rentals has created greater options for accommodation in the twin towns but it hasn’t come without its headaches.
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A number of short stay holiday rentals in Yarrawonga in recent months have caused issues with local residents with a number of noise complaints issued, and in some cases reports of overcrowding in homes.
A number of residents, who wish to remain unnamed, have written letters to the Yarrawonga Chronicle about their concerns highlighting loud noise, drunkenness, the number of tenants staying in homes and the lack of overall local neighbourhood respect.
“There seems to be no lifestyle rules for some short-term lease tenants occupying these houses. Some houses have been known to have up to thirty tenants staying in the one home,” one letter writer said.
“You can add to that a total disregard for any laws which may exist for the use of jetskis – as well as questionable use of large pleasure craft.
“The behaviour of and lack of consideration of some in short-stay holiday rentals is a real problem for the permanent Yarrawonga residents living in their proximity,” another letter writer added.
“Some occupants seem to take the attitude that anything goes and are unaware of or disregard their disruption to the peace and orderliness of their neighbourhoods, caused by their drunkenness, unending loud music and bogan behaviour.
“During the most severe of the coronavirus lockdowns, there were still several vehicles there on occasions, most likely in contravention of the lockdown regulations and potentially endangering the health of the occupants and of local residents.
“Being a “tourist town” has benefits for Yarrawonga and its businesses, but there needs to be a balance between that, and the disruption and distress inflicted on permanent residents by short-stay rentals.”
The Yarrawonga Chronicle asked local police if they had received any complaints and what residents could do if they witnessed this behaviour.
“We have had no complaints this side (NSW). Normally we get a few noise complaints around Christmas and New Year but
nothing over the top,” Mulwala Sergeant Grant Churchin said.
“Most of the rentals are along the water’s edge where everyone is on holidays, so they are not complaining about each other because they are all having the same amount of fun.
“We live in a tourist town, so these things are expected.”
With the increase of online booking accommodation sites many short stay properties are not managed locally but those that are follow strict rules and protocols.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre Executive Officer Noel Wright said the visitor information centre manages a number of properties with substantial protocols in place but had not received any complaints from residents.
“We have not received any complaints directly,” Mr Wright said.
“I had heard that some Airbnb tenants had created a few issues but have no real detail to really address this issue.
“We manage 30 properties, mainly holiday units and houses. We have specific terms and conditions that each tenant must sign prior to picking up any keys for our managed properties.
“We hold a substantial security bond to protect our owner’s property and only refund the bond upon the property review after the tenant has vacated. Obviously if there are any damages etc we deduct those costs from the bond.
“We encourage any resident to follow up with police if there is unreasonable disturbance in our communities.”
Managing Director of Waterfront Holiday Houses Pty Ltd Karen Mitchell said the company had not experienced any breaches of guest numbers at their properties and had been told by guests that their houses have some of the strictest booking terms and conditions in the state.
“Short term rental accommodation is a long-standing practice throughout Australia. In fact, this is my tenth year of operation in Yarrawonga, and we have hosted thousands of guests over that time,” Ms Mitchell said.
“In our twenty-eight properties, we arrange accommodation bookings from guests for an array of different visits and all guests must accept and comply with our terms and conditions at the time of making the booking. The larger portion of this document refers to behaviours that are not tolerated in our properties, and the consequences to follow.
“Following the easing of COVID restrictions, we had groups of family and friends coming together after months of being apart. We did hear reports from some neighbours that they experienced louder than usual ‘human’ noise, but this was from a very small handful of guests.
“The properties we manage, both in Victoria and in NSW, are all managed using the Short-Term Accommodation Code of Conduct framework provided by NSW Fair Trading.
“Each property has a strict maximum number of guests permitted to stay, and the consequences of a breach of this condition is quite straight forward: eviction and loss of security bond.
“We have not experienced any breaches of guest numbers at our properties.
“If there is a disturbance, our neighbours have the Waterfront Holiday Houses after hours mobile number and also the mobile number for Murray Security Services.
“We had two security call outs over the New Year’s Eve/January period, both relating to guests talking loudly after midnight. On both occasions, the guests were compliant with the request to ‘quiet down’ and no further action was required.
“I am confident that our procedures in place are efficient and are satisfactory.
“In our capacity as property managers, we do everything possible to ensure holiday house guests act respectfully whilst visiting our towns.
“I have also been informed by in-house guests, on several occasions, that our houses have some of the strictest booking terms and conditions in the state.”
Moira Shire Council CEO Mark Henderson confirmed council had received a direct complaint related to a short stay rental and were in discussions about the merits of a local law specific to the registration of holiday rentals.
“Council is aware of this issue and we have received one direct complaint from a local resident who lives next door to a problem holiday rental property,” Mr Henderson said.
“Holiday rental accommodation is an increasing feature of accommodation options in Bundalong and around Lake Mulwala which is a great addition to the local economy.
“We have been in consultation with Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business as well as other organisations in tourism hotspots including Mansfield, Bright, Beechworth and Echuca.
“The feedback we have received from those areas indicates it isn’t a huge issue there.
“Some councils we have been speaking with have registration systems and codes of conduct for holiday rental accommodation providers including Airbnb, however they did note that without a police presence late at night, enforcement of these codes is difficult.
“Councillors and staff are aware of these concerns and are discussing the merits of a specific Local Law to require registration of holiday rental properties in Moira Shire.”
Federation Council Compliance Officers also made comment however they had not received any complaints.
“Council has not been made aware of any complaints on the subject matter throughout Mulwala,” the spokesperson said.
“Any behaviour and noise issues from persons in holiday accommodation should be reported to the police. The same if they are parking illegally.
“Council Rangers can assist in dealing with issues such as parking on nature strips where they might be causing damage etc.”