Aiman Athirah: STRA guidelines nearing completion

KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is finalising guidelines to regulate short-term rental accommodation (STRA), with the revised document undergoing a final review before being submitted to the cabinet for consideration.

Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the ministry, through PLANMalaysia, is working with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, state governments and local authorities to develop the guidelines.

She said the aim is to establish a uniform regulatory framework nationwide.

"The STRA planning guidelines are undergoing revisions and a final review with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry before being submitted to the cabinet for consideration.

"The document will subsequently be presented to the National Council for Local Government to obtain collective agreement before being adopted by state governments and local authorities nationwide," she said in reply to Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera).

Aiman Athirah said the guidelines would cover registration, compliance with relevant authorities' requirements, safety, cleanliness, operational management and STRA operators' responsibilities towards local communities.

She said the Strata Management Act 2013 provided mechanisms for joint management bodies and management corporations to enforce by-laws.

The government also intended to require all premises to be registered and comply with local authority licensing requirements before they could operate legally.

"Digital platforms are also encouraged to introduce automated licence verification before listing properties and remove listings involving unlicensed premises or those that breach applicable regulations," she said.

On the proposed annual limit of 180 nights for STRA operations, she said a regulatory impact assessment had been conducted during the preparation of the initial regulatory framework.

The assessment covered compliance costs for STRA operators and property owners, potential rental income, the impact on the hotel and tourism industries, accommodation costs and consumer choices.

It also examined government revenue, public safety and community well-being.

"Any decision on the limit must take into account property owners' opportunities to generate income while addressing the needs of the tourism industry.

"At the same time, public safety, public order and residents' well-being must remain key priorities," she said.