Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has called on the government to speed up the implementation of proposed new regulations affecting Airbnb and other short-term rental sites.
The changes will be part of the wider Renters’ Reform Bill, which is expected to come before Parliament later this year.
The MP is urging the government to fast-track the Airbnb-related changes separately, to enable councils to act quickly when required.
Under the proposed legislation, homeowners wishing to list properties on Airbnb and similar platforms would be required to enter their addresses on a register.
This will allow local authorities to keep a database of short-term lets, and to intervene if a property is causing problems.
However, the government has not yet set a firm date for the implementation of the new rules, which has led to concerns amongst some MPs, including Wera Hobhouse, who believes that the changes cannot come quickly enough.
Mrs Hobhouse said that she has heard from many constituents who are “deeply frustrated” by the “noise and disturbances” caused by short-term lets.
She welcomed the government’s plans to take action on the matter but expressed concerns about the lack of urgency.
The MP argued that the regulations are “long overdue”, and that the government needs to push forward with the changes as quickly as possible.
“The pace at which these regulations will be brought in is concerning, however,” she said.
“They are long overdue and the lack of urgency the Government is displaying needs to change. Saying that we will introduce these changes but you will just have to wait is not good enough.
“The Government needs to stop sitting on its hands, fast-track the legislation and put a stop to this cycle of disruption that is impacting so many.”
Airbnb has faced criticism from many quarters in recent years, with concerns being raised about the impact of short-term lets on local communities.
While the platform has proved popular with travellers and homeowners alike, there have been calls for greater regulation to prevent abuse of the system.
The proposed changes are seen by many as a positive step towards greater transparency and accountability within the short-term rental sector.