Rent pressure designation in west Mayo queried

THE impact the rent pressure zone designation is having in the Westport area has been queried by Councillor Peter Flynn.

The entire Westport electoral area was designated, he told a district meeting, but no one seems to know what the implications are.

He could understand why Westport town was included but it was hard to see why the rural areas had to be part of it.

He questioned the situation with regards planning, saying with the tourism season coming up there is uncertainty when it comes to Airbnbs.

Director of housing Tom Gilligan said the zoning came into effect in June and he has noticed how the number of rental properties on daft.ie has increased, which is what they wanted to see - more long-term rentals on the market.

Fáilte Ireland, he added, is bringing out a scheme where short-term rental accommodations will have to be registered.

That would involve planning.