The owner of a Mollymook Beach holiday rental Ross Hughes said his rental provides a completely different experience and accommodation compared to a hotel and therefore should not face the same regulations. 

“A holiday home is a home,” he said

“It’s not even close to providing the same service as a hotel or motel.”

Mr Hughes, who lives in Sydney, said the holiday rental market is worth a considerable amount to the Shoalhaven tourism industry and believes the holiday home market is a big draw card for families. 

“People want to go on holidays with their kids and friends, and relax,” he said.

“Families want to be in a holiday home rather than a luxurious hotel.”

An NSW Parliament inquiry into short-term letting handed down their final report in October 2016, detailing a number of recommendations including the possibility of holiday letting regulation.

The NSW Government has until April 19 to respond to these recommendations. Any findings adopted may impact the Shoalhaven.

Mr Hughes said the his Matron Porter Drive holiday rental maintains a high level of maintenance to ensure customer satisfaction and safety. 

“We certainly have protocols when a family or guests moves out,” he said.

“Everything is professionally cleaned and we ensure the pool is kept up to standard.

“If we didn’t do this, we wouldn’t have people come here time after time.”

Community members at the Ulladulla and Districts Forum on February 6 raised concerns from hotel owners about an unfair playing field, noting the non-existent regulation on noise control and pool safety for holiday rentals.

Rupert Sakora general manager Bannisters Hotels said it was a situation which could be looked at further.

“There has been a culture of holiday rentals in the area for decades and I wouldn’t want to change any of that,” he said.

“There is a number of positives, such as the number of people and money brought to the area.

“It’s about creating a level playing field through regulation.”

RELATED NEWS: Hotel owners frustrated by holiday rentals