New short-term letting register to target illegal Airbnbs in Ireland

The Irish government is set to roll out a short‑term letting register aimed at exposing properties that are being let on platforms such as Airbnb without the required registration. Minister James Brown said the new system would give authorities a clearer picture of illegal listings and help curb non‑compliant rentals.

Leitrim County Council, one of several local authorities highlighted for failing to collect derelict property tax in 2024, will be able to use the register to track short‑term let properties within its borders. The council’s experience underscores the need for a more robust monitoring framework that can identify unregistered units and enforce existing regulations.

The register is expected to bring greater transparency to the sector, enabling local councils to verify that all short‑term lettings meet statutory obligations. By providing a central database of licensed properties, it should also support efforts to address concerns about housing affordability and community disruption caused by unregulated rentals.

For more details see the Ocean FM report.

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