Short-term Rental Accommodation Report: Death by 10,000 Cuts

“Across Western Australia there are almost three unhosted Airbnbs for every available long‑term rental—and in regional areas, that figure rises to 15 to 1.”

Death by 10,000 Cuts is a major new report by Shelter WA examining the impact of short‑term rental accommodation, particularly unhosted Airbnbs, on housing availability and affordability across Western Australia.

Using detailed, suburb‑level analysis from metropolitan and regional WA, the report shows how the rapid growth of short‑term rentals has diverted thousands of homes away from the long‑term rental market at a time of record‑low vacancy rates. In many communities, unhosted Airbnbs now vastly outnumber private rentals, placing intense pressure on renters and eroding affordability in traditionally affordable suburbs.

The report also examines where short‑term rentals are concentrated, the types of homes being lost to the market, especially one‑ and two‑bedroom dwellings, and emerging ownership patterns that challenge the notion that short‑term rentals are primarily operated by small‑scale or ‘mum‑and‑dad’ hosts.

Death by 10,000 Cuts makes the case for urgent, stronger intervention and sets out seven evidence‑based recommendations aimed at rebalancing the housing system and returning homes to the long‑term rental market.

For further information about actions local governments can take on Airbnbs, please see our Local Government Social and Affordable Housing Factsheet.

Below you will also find an interactive map showing the ratio between Airbnb listings to rental listings, by local government authority (LGA) in Western Australia.