Short-term rental owners warned to act before January deadline

Are you a short-term rental property owner? Time is running out to make sure you meet the new rules if you want to keep operating in 2026.

From 1 January 2026, unhosted short-term rental accommodation (STRA) properties in the Perth metropolitan area that are let for more than 90 nights in a 12-month period will need planning approval from their local council. Unhosted properties are those where the guest has exclusive use of the property.

Hosted STRA (where the owner lives onsite) will not require development approval.

In regional areas, including Peel, local governments will have flexibility to decide if and when planning approval is needed.

All STRA properties must also be registered. The State-wide STRA register opened in July 2024 and now has about 11,600 properties listed, giving councils and communities a clearer picture of the short-stay market. Local governments can check the register, making it easy to see which properties should have approval.

Any unregistered properties will not be able to advertise or take bookings from 1 January 2026, and operating without registration could result in significant fines.

What this means for owners

• If your property is unhosted and rented for more than 90 nights a year, you must lodge a planning application before 1 January 2026.
• If your property is outside the Perth metropolitan area, check with your local council to see if planning approval is required.
• Make sure your property is listed on the STRA register and that your details are up to date.

Property owners who are considering leaving the short-term rental market may also be eligible for the $10,000 STRA Incentive Scheme, which provides a payment for converting a property into a long-term rental.