More than 70 per cent in favour of temporary home rentals in Singapore: Airbnb poll

Airbnb's survey, which polled 600 of Singapore residents from Jan 30 to Feb 2, found that 72 per cent think Singaporeans should be allowed to temporarily rent out their homes. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG 
Airbnb's survey, which polled 600 of Singapore residents from Jan 30 to Feb 2, found that 72 per cent think Singaporeans should be allowed to temporarily rent out their homes. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG 

SINGAPORE - Even as the authorities in Singapore review short-term rental rules for private homes through a public consultation, home-sharing portal Airbnb has conducted its own poll to gather opinions on the issue.

The survey, which polled 600 of the country's residents from Jan 30 to Feb 2, found that 72 per cent think Singaporeans should be allowed to temporarily rent out their homes. Some 74 per cent of respondents also believe this should apply to spare rooms within a home when the owner is present, Airbnb told The Straits Times.

The city-wide poll was commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by David Binder Research, with a 4 per cent margin of error.

Current guidelines here do not allow private home rentals shorter than six months. Last month, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched an online survey to seek public views on the matter. The survey, which ends on Feb 23, can be accessed at http://ura.sg/shorttermstays

According to Airbnb, slightly more than half of their respondents, or 52 per cent, also think that hosting short-term renters helps people pay their bills and afford to live in Singapore.

Noting that more cities are implementing "progressive" home-sharing laws, Airbnb added: "We are pleased that the Government is seeking the views of local people on home sharing and that our community has a chance to share their stories."

The URA had said previously that some residents have raised concerns over noise, loss of privacy, security and the misuse of common facilities. Last year, it received 375 complaints about short-term stays, up from 231 in 2013.

yeosamjo@sph.com.sg

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