<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

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Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

Airbnb

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The ad promises you earnings of up to $80,000 for the December-January period just by using Airbnb. 
There’s also a testimonial from Arnold Schwarzenegger and mention of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s sister Randy sharing with Jamie McIntyre tips about “"luxury living without luxury prices" on the website of <a href="https://www.21stcenturyservices.com.au/airbnb-consultancy-business/" target="_blank">21st Century Education</a>. 
All these tips from McIntyre, only for $67 events in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
Once there, according to a recent report in the Weekend Australian, McIntyre would reveal his secret: “How to make $5000-$10,000 per month in semi-passive income from anywhere in the world.”
McIntyre’s current play is with Airbnb. 
“Airbnb is paying out billions to clients and you can be getting this money for your clients and taking,” the email quoted Mc­Intyre as saying, according to the report in the Weekend Australian.
“Imagine a business that require­s no capital to get started. No ongoing overhead. Thanks to technology this is now possible.”
McIntyre was recently banned from corporate life for a decade by the Australian Securities &amp; Investments Commission following a lengthy Federal Court fight. 
The property spruiker was grilled by Senators Sam Dastyari and Nick Xenophon at a Senate hearing in 2015 over a stalled Shepparton land-banking scheme where many investors were duped of their money on the false promises of strong returns. 
McIntyre listed more than a dozen properties for short-term stays from Queensland’s tropical north to the mansionettes of Melbourne’s Toorak. 
Many of these, the report said, had first been leased by McIntyre and advertised without the knowledge or consent of the owners. 
Airbnb’s global head of policy Chris Lehane has said in a previous report it expects limits to be introduced on the number of listings a person is allowed to have.
McIntyre’s use of the website to build this property empire also raises questions that he is back in business despite the ASIC ban. 21st Century Education denies it.
The Australian report said Blair Harding, a business coach and now the chief executive of 21st Century, dismissed claims McIntyre was back in business.
“Mr McIntyre is no longer involved­ in the management of Australian companies,” Harding is said to have told The Australian in an email. 
“Like many people he uses an Airbnb management company to manage his Airbnb properties. He is also an educator who has educated his clients on the potential to profit from Airbnb and new emerging trends."
McIntyre’s so-called “education programs” first came to the corporate regulator’s attention in 2002, the report said. 
The email advertising the seminars with McIntyre offers a number of ways to make a fortune. You can pay for Mc­Intyre’s advice — one client who did this apparently “made over $4000 in his first month”. Or you can allow 21st Century to manage the service for you — where “we can generate you income almost instantly from accepting your home onto our system”.
An ASIC spokeswoman is cited by the report as saying the regulator is “aware of Mr McIntyre’s latest venture”, and will continue to monitor his conduct while another investigation into his previous ventures remains under way.
“The (Airbnb) service involved doesn’t involve financial advice in relation to a financ­ial product or involve the operation of a financial services business,” the spokeswoman says.
The report lists properties in Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise being advertised through Airbnb for rents such as $595 a night on weekends though they were advertised for weekly rent for much less earlier. The letting agents say they were unaware of McIntyre leasing those places.  
An Airbnb spokeswoman was cited in the report as not being able to explain how the website ensures landlords are made aware their property is being leased through the online platform, although she says “frankly, there’s no place for this sort of behaviou­r on Airbnb”.
The Gold Coast Bulletin has reported its is the neighbours who are annoyed at noisy guests. 
The mansion, owned by McIntyre family company Isle of Capri 2, was purchased for $4.75 million in 2009.
It is advertised at $791 a night if you want the master bedroom unlocked.
The rate for wedding events is not advertised but believed to be upwards of $1200 a night. The listing says the home can sleep up to 18 people in its five bedrooms and cinema room.
His 27m, four-bedroom yacht Livin II is also advertised on the site — at a minimum $1490 a night.
“The Isle of Capri is an exclusive area — we pay a lot of rates and taxes to live here and we don’t expect this,” one neighbour said.
“The council should be acting to close it down.”
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Property spruiker Jamie McIntyre's Airbnb play under scrutiny

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In June 2016 the Supreme Court of Victoria handed down its decision in the case of Swan v Uecker [2016] VSC 313.
The case is heralded as a victory for landlords after the Supreme Court held that, by allowing Airbnb guests short-term use of their rented apartment, the tenants had breached their lease by sub-letting the property.
The Landlord (Swan) leased her apartment to the Tenants (Uecker and Greaves) pursuant to a residential tenancies agreement (lease).
During the course of the lease the Landlord became aware that the Tenants were making the apartment available to guests via the Airbnb website.
The Landlord had not consented to the use of the property in that way.
The Landlord subsequently sought an order for possession from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on the basis that the Tenants breached their lease by sub-letting the property, without the Landlord’s consent, when making it available to Airbnb guests. VCAT dismissed the application.
The VCAT decision held that, despite offering the property to Airbnb guests, the Airbnb Agreement between the Airbnb guests and the Tenants as hosts did not entitle Airbnb guests to exclusive possession of the property and granted a mere licence to occupy. 
On this basis, the Tenants “had not sub-let their tenancy agreement” with the Landlord. The Landlord appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court held that the Airbnb Agreement between Uecker and Greaves and the Airbnb guests was characterised as a lease, rather than a mere licence.
Accordingly, the arrangement to allow Airbnb guests to occupy the property constituted a sub-lease and consequently the Tenants were in breach of their lease.
The case garnered a significant amount of public attention as Australian legislation grapples with the rise of the sharing economy such as Airbnb and Uber. The Judge also noted that, despite the public attention:
“This is not a case on the merits of Airbnb arrangements. Neither is it a case on whether or not Airbnb arrangements might be said to be ‘illegal’ – either in some particular or some general, non-legal, sense. Rather it is a case, on appeal, which raises for determination – directly or indirectly – the legal character of this particular Airbnb arrangement and any consequences this characterisation may have in the context of the terms of the lease of the apartment concerned.”
This decision was followed up by the subsequent Supreme Court decision in Owners Corporation PS 501391P v Balcombe [2016] VSC 384 where the court held that Owners Corporations could not make rules to ban landlords from renting their properties using the Airbnb website.
The article first appeared on TressCox Lawyer's <a href="https://www.tresscox.com.au/" target="_blank">website</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Property 101: Airbnb guests breached tenants lease of property

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GUEST OBSERVER
Planning on listing your property on Airbnb? Here are a few things to consider before you do. 
1. Location of your property and potential demographic of your guests
Guests usually plan to stay close to the centre of activity and culture they would like to experience. For example if your property is near a stadium, there’s a high chance your guests may be attending sports events. Think about the biggest demographic of sports attendees and ask yourself the extent of behaviour you would tolerate in your property. 
2. De-risk your home against bad apples
You can request a security deposit prior to the guest’s arrival. Be wary of Instant Bookings, as this does not give you the opportunity to review the guest before they book in their stay. As a final precaution, have your guests sign a contract before they arrive. This can clearly lay out the check-in and check-out dates and times, rules of conduct, deposit refund or any other concerns you may have. While it may put off some guests, those who have nothing to hide should have no problems with signing it. 
3. Make sure your home is safe for occupation
When leasing out your property, it is your property manager's role to ensure the safety of the premises are kept. If you're putting up an Airbnb listing, this responsibility falls on you. You'll need to check that the smoke alarms are working and that heaters (if any) have been serviced in the last 2 years. Make sure that all doors and locks work smoothly in the event that evacuation is necessary. 
While Airbnb does not conduct any routine inspections on the safety of your property, it's a simple favour you are doing your guest that may save their life. 
4. Check your home insurance coverage for accidents or damage
You’ll need to fully insure your home against the risk of irresponsible guests causing major damage, as seeking damage compensation from Airbnb is difficult. Read the fine print of Airbnb’s Host Guarantee, and don’t assume it will protect you fully. It also does not cover a refusal to vacate.
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5. Long term Airbnb stays could turn your guest into a legal tenant
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, if your Airbnb guest resides in your property for more than 90 days, they legally gain the rights as a tenant. This means that in the unlikely event that they refuse to vacate after that period, you will need to follow the same eviction procedure through VCAT as a landlord would, costing you significant time and money. 
6. Airbnb income is taxable
Airbnb provides a good source of cash flow for owner occupiers who are still paying off their mortgage. Bear in mind that your Airbnb income is classified as a taxable gain, as the ATO will have your information on hand already. Depending on the length of time you’ve resided at your property, and the length of time you’ve hosted part of your property on Airbnb, you may be liable to pay a portion of capital gains tax. 
7. Your ratings and reviews are your “open for inspections” 
To maximise the occupancy rate of your property, it’s essential that you maintain a high rating by providing your guests with a great experience, so that they are happy to leave a positive review. We would recommend to maintain at least 4.5 stars to remain competitive. Keep your property clean and restocked after each stay. Be honest in your description of your listing, as you’ll be rated for accuracy. 
8. Guests look for a trustworthy host, not just a room
Beautiful photographs, a friendly host profile photo and personal statement will build trust immediately. When there’s nothing hide, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Remember that, while you are risking your property, your guests risk themselves. They are looking for someone credible whom they are comfortable staying with. 
For more information, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Must-knows for new Airbnb hosts: Secret Agent

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GUEST OBSERVER
One in three Queensland strata residents are concerned about apartment security from Airbnb guests, according to new research conducted by a leading Queensland body corporate company.
Archers the Strata Professionals investigated the attitudes of more than 550 Queensland unit owners and residents towards accommodation sharing services like Airbnb and Stayz, to determine how they impact unit owners in the sector.
Airbnb is an accommodation sharing service that allows property owners and residents to let their rooms or properties out to people seeking short-term lodgings. With more than 50,000 listings across Australia, the service continues to grow in popularity.
While the survey found more than 85 percent of participants were familiar with these services, many were unfazed by the platform, with 45 percent reporting they would welcome Airbnb within their complex.
Yet, despite the apparent support for such services, more than 30 percent of respondents acknowledged concerns over apartment security.
With Australia going through a widespread apartment boom, and more and more people choosing to live in strata complexes, we need to make sure that accommodation sharing services like Airbnb aren’t negatively impacting residents.
The research demonstrates some residents feel their safe, private apartment buildings are being infiltrated by a steady stream of unknown visitors, who stay for short periods of time.
Consequently, a number of strata residents are becoming uneasy about apartment security. As Queensland doesn’t have specific by-laws in place related to Airbnb and strata complexes, we encourage strata managers to work with residents to address any concerns they may have.
While Airbnb has been the topic of much controversy and debate in NSW, the heat is yet to reach Queensland. This is reflected in the research, which found almost 50 percent of Queensland strata residents would like Airbnb to be addressed by their body corporate. Developments in technology and the popularity of the sharing economy have surpassed current property legislation. 
Currently, the legislation states that, where a lot can lawfully be used for residential purposes, a bylaw cannot restrict the ‘type’ of residential use. 
Therefore, in Queensland, a body corporate doesn’t have much authority to regulate against the use of lots for private short-term letting. 
As such, we’re seeing the greatest impact in small schemes with permanent residents and no building manager. 
In those types of buildings, dealing with unplanned impacts such as increased noise, overuse of shared facilities, damage to common property and safety and security issues can be very time consuming for the volunteer committee members, and very expensive for body corporate as a whole.
Consequently, we encourage residents to work with their body corporate managers to address any concerns they may have about Airbnb, in order to find a solution to any potential issues.
 Last year, 455 Australians reported an incident of more than $1000 worth of damages from Airbnb guests. Greater education is definitely needed in this space, and we are committed to working with strata residents to mitigate their concerns.
Grant Mifsud is partner, Archers the Strata Professionals and can be contacted <a href="https://www.abcm.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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