By April next year, agents across the City of Sydney with lockboxes in public spaces will be required to change their process as the council launches a major crackdown.
The City of Sydney has announced plans to remove lockboxes attached to public infrastructure, giving owners until 1 April next year to take them away.
In a statement, the council said lockboxes were not permitted on public infrastructure such as poles, signs, fences, trees, tree guards, and bike racks.
It said that these amenities were intended for community use and must remain safe, accessible, and free from obstructions.
While lockboxes are predominantly used by Airbnb owners, agents and property managers also use them for easy access to homes.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO, said lockboxes in public spaces were “unsightly” and could create safety risks such as trip hazards or obstructions.
“They can interfere with our ability to maintain City of Sydney assets, and they can damage the things they are chained to – we’ve even had an instance of one being drilled into a street tree,” she said.
“These amenities are there for everyone to use, not as part of a business operation for individuals. There are several alternatives lockbox owners can use.”
Lockboxes that pose an immediate safety risk, are obstructive or limit access to high-use or sensitive infrastructure will still be removed as soon as possible once identified.
Once the scheme comes into effect next year, owners of removed lockboxes will have 28 days to claim them from the City of Sydney before they are disposed of.
Moore said owners of lockboxes had plenty of notice to consider other solutions.
“By not commencing the scheme for over six months, we are giving owners enough time to make different arrangements before we begin our removal program.”
Alternative options include installing a lockbox on private property, arranging an in-person key handover, or using a concierge or key management service.
Owners can also explore options for digital access systems such as keypads or smart locks to grant access.
Ahead of the changes being rolled out, the City of Sydney will roll out a notification and education program to build awareness of the reforms.
Prior to the new rules beginning, lockboxes that pose an immediate safety risk, are obstructive, or limit access to high-use or sensitive infrastructure will still be removed as soon as possible.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Real Estate Business a preferred news source on Google.
