New laws for Airbnbs and other short-term rentals in Cape Town

• The City of Cape Town has introduced a new registration system for Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, requiring properties to register and display a registration number on listings.
• The new laws aim to improve compliance with the city's existing Rates Policy, which requires commercial property rates for premises used for commercial accommodation, and will not apply to properties with less than 50% room-night availability for short-term letting.
• The implementation of the new registration system is expected to take effect from 1 July 2027, with the city continuing to engage with the commercial short-term letting sector and provide support to ensure fairness in the sector.