Real estate stakeholders urge gov't to consult ahead of short stay regulations

 

Real estate stakeholders are urging the government to hold consultations, as it explores implementing regulations for short stay accommodation.

 

Speaking at the Throp-X Investment Conference in Negril, Realtor Noel Phillips said he is not opposed to regulation in the space. 

 

"I think we should be willing to pay some taxes because we want the roads to be fixed. We want wherever persons are coming, that it is maintained and developed in such a way because that helps your Airbnb because you don't want to buy a property and then the roads aren't fixed and people don't like coming there, right? So I don't have a problem with the government coming in. And what I'm hoping is that the Minister of Tourism, who I think has precedence over the decision, will consult with us as realtors."

 

Investor Delano Dowdie said stakeholders need to be clear on what these regulations will look like.

 

"I think what they need to do is get in contact with people who are actually on the ground in the know - the realtors, the developers, people in the diaspora, individuals who may be interested in buying - and just kind of poll everyone to kind of understand, you know, what is driving their interest in properties in Jamaica," he suggested.