Oct

Coastal landlords slammed for favouring Airbnb guests over long-term tenants

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Coastal areas now have three times the rate of Airbnb listings than non-coastal areas, up from twice the rate pre-pandemic, according to new research.

Inside Airbnb calculated that in May 2019, one in every 105 dwellings in coastal areas in England and Wales was advertised as an Airbnb. In May 2022 it was one in every 67, while in inland locations it was one in every 196 properties, according to a report in The Guardian.

Housing campaigners say the trend indicates that landlords in seaside towns and coastal getaways may be favouring tourists over tenants.

New laws in Scotland require all local authorities to set up a licensing scheme, while Wales is bringing in a similar scheme and tougher planning rules.

The government is studying the impact of the short-let sector in England, but the charity Action on Empty Homes believes the registration scheme consultation is an essentially toothless proposal, which supports licensing but not limits on numbers or local controls.

Improve powers

Chris Bailey, national campaign manager, says that in Norfolk, 86% of the 7,652 Airbnb-type rentals are whole home listings, while North Norfolk alone has about 5,500 unoccupied second homes with a further 500 homes long-term empty, meaning at least one home in every nine has no one living in it, on an ongoing basis.

“Councils need improved powers to prevent properties being switched from primary residential use to short let or second home status and used as Airbnbs rather than as homes,” Bailey tells LandlordZONE. “This depletes rental housing stock and allows investors to outbid local buyers on average incomes, pushing up both purchase and rental prices.”

Airbnb questioned the accuracy of Inside Airbnb’s findings, emphasising that unusual listings such as caravans or large manor houses, used for events, may not affect the local housing stock.

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