There is no evidence that short-term holiday lets are to blame for the decline in rental properties in most of the country, the ESRI has claimed. 

The Government has announced plans to introduce restrictions on short-term lets in towns or cities with a population of over 10,000 people. 

Supporters of the move hope it will mean more properties are rented out to long-term tenants. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, ESRI spokesperson Rachel Slaymaker said the organisation’s research found that short-term rental properties are not to blame for shortages in long-term rentals. 

“We do see sizable numbers of short-term lets and quite considerable short-term let activity concentrated in particular areas,” she said. 

“Notably in tourist hot spots along the west coast and inner city Dublin and Galway. 

“We do see at least one Airbnb for every 10 private rental properties in around 38 of the local electoral areas across the country.

“Most of these tend to be areas with fairly small or moderate rental sectors - but we do still see a sizeable presence in Dublin.

“What we don’t see is any evidence linking the falls in new tenancy registrations we’ve seen in recent years with rising short-term let activity.” 

A lockbox attached to some railings gives access to nearby short-term let accommodation. Picture by: Alamy

Dr Slaymaker caveated that the impact of short-term lets will vary in different parts of the country. 

“That doesn’t mean the short-term let activity isn’t having a detrimental impact on the private rental sector in particular areas,” she said. 

“The key thing really is that the increase in short-term let activity is primarily been outside the urban areas, in tourist hotspots along the west coast. 

“In those areas, we tend to see a really high correlation between current short-term let listings and previously recorded holiday homes. 

“So, it’s not clear that those properties are likely coming from the private rental sector in the main.

“In the centre of Dublin and the centre of Galway, there is likely to be a lot more crossover between the private rental sector and short-term lets.” 

Silver keys hanging in a modern door lock. Picture by: Alamy

Rural TDs have warned about the potential impact of the legislation on the country’s tourist sector and Dr Slaymaker suggested that “different policy responses are likely to be required” in different parts of the country. 

“The major urban areas will favour a different policy to those elsewhere,” she said. 

“But I think there will be some areas, taking Killarney for instance, which would have a higher population than 10,000 but obviously it’s a rent pressure zone area. 

“It’s also a very touristy area as well.” 

Main image: A man uses the Airbnb smartphone app. Picture by: Alamy.com