COMPLAINTS about a so-called “party house” at Sorrento have led to the property owner being fined $1500.
In December 2018 neighbours called police about noise and loud music being played at the house until 3am.
The owners of the house were prosecuted and fined under Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Short Stay Rental Accommodation Local Law.
The shire says it has a “zero-tolerance approach to party houses”.
The shire’s local law is the first of its kind in the state and includes a requirement that property owners nominate an agent who must respond within two hours to complaints from neighbours.
The mayor Cr David Gill described the prosecution as “an important win for council and for the local residents”.
“The purpose of the local law is to address the impacts of anti-social behaviour on the local community from occupants of short stay rental accommodation across the peninsula,” he said.
“There has been a substantial increase in the use of this type of accommodation for large parties.
“The local law holds the accommodation owner responsible for the behaviour of their guests. These businesses operate in our residential neighbourhoods and anti-social and rowdy behaviour is not acceptable.
“Council takes this kind of act very seriously and will deal with property owners failing to comply with the Short Stay Rental Accommodation Local Law.”
Problems reported due to short stay accommodation in residential areas have included anti-social behaviour of occupants, use of outdoor areas late into the night, car parking congestion and poor rubbish disposal.
The local law is used in conjunction with the Environment Protection Act 1970, Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
For details about the Short Stay Rental Accommodation Local Law go to mornpen.vic.gov.au/shortstay
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 22 October 2019
