Activist campaign to limit homes used for Airbnb-style short lets

A new campaign has been launched calling for the regulation of Airbnb and other short lets in England.

Action on Short Term Lets is reported to be the brainchild of two existing activist groups, Action on Empty Homes and Greater Manchester Tenants Union. 

Reported so far only in the Big Issue magazine, the new campaign says it wants to end the current situation where councils in England cannot regulate Airbnbs because short-lets are in the same planning class as ordinary homes. 

The new campaign wants planning reforms, a licensing system and a ‘right to refuse’ new listings - a regime similar to that coming into effect next month in Scotland, and is under discussion in Wales.

The current Action on Empty Homes campaign argues that there is evidence from cities such as Manchester that the proliferation of short lets is typically associated with “neighbourhood gentrification, community displacement and skyrocketing rents”. 

It says: “Action On Empty homes is continuing its work on the on the phenomenon of 'Airbnbification': the process by which Airbnb lets overtake housing markets. Cities worldwide have been affected by the expanding market for short-term lets, and many residents in highly touristed communities have been displaced as a result.”

Action on Empty Homes is also majoring on getting opponents of short lets to respond to a government consultation on the issue, which has another three weeks to run.

In the consultation the UK government outlines possible measures to control Airbnbs and other short lets in England. 

The government says future policies could involve physical checks of premises to ensure rules on health and safety, noise and anti-social behaviour are obeyed. Further measures under consideration include a registration ‘kitemark’ scheme with spot checks for compliance with rules on issues such as gas safety, a self-certification scheme for hosts to register with before they can operate, and better information or a single source of guidance setting out the legal requirements for providers.

Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston says: “We’ve seen huge growth in the range of holiday accommodation available over the last few years. We want to reap the benefits of the boom in short-term holiday lets while protecting community interests and making sure England has high-quality tourist accommodation.”

And housing minister Stuart Andrew adds: “Holiday let sites like Airbnb have helped boost tourism across the country, but we need to make sure this doesn’t drive residents out of their communities. We are already taking action to tackle the issue of second and empty homes in some areas by empowering councils to charge up to double the rate of council tax.”

The government says Airbnb listing data shows a 33 per cent increase in UK listings between 2017 and 2018 and the rise in the use of online platforms for short-term letting has brought many benefits - from an increase in the variety and availability of options to allowing people to make money from renting out spare rooms and properties.

But the government says it understands there can be an impact on housing supply and price in these areas and there are fears caused by evidence of a rise in anti-social behaviour including noise, waste and drunken behaviour in local communities. Lower protections for guests caused by negligence of health and safety regulations are also amidst concerns.

The review will also consider the operation of the provisions in London under the Deregulation Act 2015 to allow for measures to be taken against anti-social behaviour, whilst allowing Londoners to let out their homes.

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