Ireland’s government is reviewing planning rules for short-term rentals, while the rules for rural Airbnbs may be softened after an EU intervention. Dublin City Council is investigating illegal Airbnb-style lets. Owners of rural Airbnb properties may be exempt from planning permission requirements.

The Irish government is reportedly examining planning rules on short-term lets in response to concerns from both EU officials and local councillors. While no official announcement has been made yet, it is believed that the new rules will focus on rural Airbnb properties and could include exemptions from certain planning permission requirements. In addition to concerns about the impact of short-term lets on local communities, there have been growing fears of a growing “wild west” culture around the likes of Airbnb-style properties in Ireland. Dublin City Council has already taken action against 1,600 such lets which it suspects of being illegal, while at the same time a councillor has criticised the EU for what they see as a failure to recognise the impact of short-term lets.