Airbnb bosses are coming to Bath as they draw up ideas for new controls on short-term rentals.
Airbnb allows people to let out properties or spare rooms | Image © AngieYeoh / Shutterstock.com
The move looks like an olive branch from the platform to appease critics – concerns have been raised over the safety of the properties on offer, and about the impact on traditional B&Bs, hotels and the housing market.
The firm says it wants to develop a registration system that “works for everyone and makes communities stronger”.
Speaking at a council debate on short-term lets in September 2018, hotelier Jonathan Stapleton said Bath had failed to address the “explosion” of Airbnb and argued steps should to be taken to create a level playing field.
Visit Somerset chief executive John Turner claimed the platform employs technology to keep its prices artificially low to “destroy” the competition.
Bath Independent Guest Houses Association chairman Harry Tedstone said the spread of short-term rentals was leaving residents unable to find homes they can afford to live in.
Others have complained about so-called party houses that can sleep large numbers of people and are popular with rowdy hen and stag dos.
Calling for tighter controls in July 2018, then councillor Joe Rayment said short-term letting sites like as Airbnb were good for tourism and consumers but that they had not been regulated and the system was being abused.
Matt McCabe, a councillor who has a holiday let, said Airbnb had become a “dirty word” and its moves toward regulation were positive.
He had to get planning permission when he converted an outbuilding and has to carry out regular safety checks, but said the same does not necessarily apply to people who rent out single rooms.
“It’s not about punishing people who rent out spare rooms or jump through these hoops,” he said. “It’s for those people who are abusing the system.
“For properties used as holiday lets when the owner is not in residence, I would like to see them subject to planning permission. That would require some national input.
“It would give residents some say in what happens in their communities again.”
Airbnb has introduced some controls – it was the first platform to automatically restrict how often London hosts can share their homes to support the local 90-day hosting limit.
There have been calls for a similar limit in Bath, but also questions about how it could be enforced.
Airbnb is meeting with policymakers, city leaders and hosts across the country to help it develop recommendations for a “clear, modern and simple” registration system that will be presented to the Government in June.
Patrick Robinson, the firm’s director of public policy, said: “We want to be good partners to cities and work together on a clear and simple host registration system that works for everyone and makes communities stronger.
“Airbnb has long led the way on home sharing rules in London. Now we want to work with cities across the UK on proposals that work for them too.”
Dr Marina Novelli, a professor of tourism and international development, said: “Airbnb has a desire to develop its relationships with local communities and work with government, policy makers and city leaders to develop a host registration system that is accessible and effective.
“This project allows us to explore all the options available.”
An Airbnb spokesman previously said: “The vast majority of hosts in Bath are regular people who occasionally share their homes to boost their income and support their families – they are not typically businesses or professionals.
“The typical host in the South West earns around £3,400 a year and shares their space for 32 nights a year.
“We are committed to working with local authorities and communities to address any concerns they may have, as well as supporting the responsible and sustainable growth of innovative forms of tourism in Bath.”
The roadshow will come to Bath and Bristol in March.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
