Who Is Accessing Your Property Details?
By DFJ Real Estate

Did you know that with the latest technological advancements, the Australian Taxation Office and Local Councils are now using data-scraping software tools and agencies to identify owners with investment properties or short-term rentals?

Data scraping or website scraping is a process of importing large quantities of data from websites such as Airbnb, Stayz, realestate.com.au, domain.com.au and other property portals into files or spreadsheets. All property data can be extracted from the listings at the click of a button.

Local Councils are using this information to detect property owners who have short-term rentals to ensure they are registered. In some local councils, they even charge higher rates for short-term rentals or holiday properties. The implementation of short-term accommodation registers and increased rates will vary from state to state and council to council. It is important to ensure you follow up on your obligations with your local council if you are collecting revenue on your property as a short-term rental to avoid possible fines.

The Australian Taxation Office also uses this technology to data scrap rental portals nationwide, as well as accessing state Bond Authorities to cross-reference advertised properties and bond data held to investor tax returns.

Data matching is becoming quicker and easier to identify landlords, who are trying to avoid declaring rental income.

If you want to reduce your taxable income, we strongly recommend seeking advice from your tax accountant or financial advisor.