Property owners who breach new rules around short-term lettings, such as Airbnb, face fines of up to €5,000.

Fáilte Ireland will oversee and enforce the new system that will require owners to register their property and display a registration number online when advertising it for short-term letting.

The system will allow Fáilte Ireland to compile a database on the number of short-term lets on behalf of the Department of Tourism. The property registration will be tied to the property's Eircode, which local authorities can use to check if they have the necessary planning permission.

Fáilte Ireland chief Paul Kelly said the system is simple and user-friendly, and described it as "good news for housing and good news for tourism".

Property owners letting accommodation for periods of up to 21 nights will need to register with Fáilte Ireland. The tourism body has designated 10 staff to ensure there is enforcement of the rules and monitor letting platforms for breaches.

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An initial fine of €300 will be imposed on property owners who do not comply with the rules, but this could rise to up to €5,000 in the District Court.

Online platforms can also be fined up to €5,000 for each advertising of a property that does not have a valid registration number. Tourism Minister Catherine Martin said she anticipates the new register will be enacted by the end of March 2023.

Short-term property letting platform Airbnb welcomed the development. It said the register "is a welcome step forward towards creating clear, simple and enforceable home sharing rules in Ireland".