Airbnb lockboxes to be 'removed and destroyed' across Dublin in council crackdown

Tomas Doherty

Lockboxes used to store keys for Airbnb-style holiday lets are to be "removed and destroyed" under a new Dublin City Council policy.

Councillors will this week be asked to endorse a policy that will see local authority staff remove and destroy the boxes found in public spaces, like on poles and bike stands.

Key storage boxes have become very popular for holiday apartment lettings across Europe, the council said, "as landlords do not have to meet the guests in person". Instead, the host provides guests with a code to open the box and retrieve the keys.

The council said it was "becoming increasingly common in Dublin city centre that lockboxes or key boxes are being placed in the public domain attached to bike stands and street signage poles".

"As a result, we have received a number of representations regarding these from the public and elected members."

Councillor Mannix Flynn said the lockboxes were a trip hazard and also claimed they were used to store money and drugs.

"These are substantial locks themselves with massive chains on them," he told Newstalk radio.

"Some of these boxes are attached to houses that have a lawful permit to be used as short-term lets, but many of them don't have [a permit]."

Mr Flynn said the boxes had no planning permission and "shouldn't be on the streets".

"Not only are they being used for keys for unlawful Airbnb, but they're also being used as drug drops and money drops."

The council has the power under the Road Act to remove the boxes, but it is asking councillors this week to endorse an official policy "that lockboxes being used in the public realm will be removed and destroyed".

It is recommending warnings be issued for a six-week period "to prevent visitors being stranded with no accommodation on arrival".

A date will then be set for a removal blitz by council workers.