11th
Jul 2022
The booming Airbnb type short lets rests squarely on the government’s shoulders, claims an industry body.
The statement follows this week’s launch of a review on the impact of short lets upon the tourist and housing markets.
A spokesman for the industry body, says: “The growth in holiday lets is a direct consequence of the Government’s attack on long-term rented housing.
“Tax policies actively discourage long-term investment in the private rented sector by landlords.
“With a Housing Secretary that wants to shrink the size of the sector, it is little wonder many landlords have jumped ship to the holiday lets market.
“As a result, for many in holiday hot spots finding a long-term home to rent is all but impossible. With demand for such housing at a record high, all it is doing is increasing rents when tenants can least afford it.
“The government needs to end its anti-landlord attitude and develop pro-growth tax plans to help renters access the housing they need.”
The government says it has found from Airbnb listing data there was a 33 per cent ‘explosion’ in the UK between 2017 and 2018, and with the increased usage of these sites has brought the two main benefits of people being able to make considerable financial gain from holiday lets and gives far greater choice for ‘tourists’ to those areas.
The government unsurprisingly admits there is an impact on rising prices and housing stock in holiday areas but also has concerns over an apparent rise of house partying, anti-social behaviour and waste issues impacting local communities.
The review will also reflect on whether its suggested measures should be introduced across London under the Deregulation Act 2015 to counter anti-social behaviour, and at the same time allows Londoners to short let out their homes.
The government states there could be a raft of future policies to control Airbnb type lets which may include the physical ‘policing’ checks of properties to make sure that noise, anti-social behaviour is stopped and full compliancy of health and safety rules.
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