Flat banned from being rented out to tourists on Airbnb

A WOMAN who used Airbnb to let out her £300,000 Edinburgh flat to tourists has been ordered to stop following complaints from fed-up neighbours.

Amanda Burnett used the popular site to allow her twobedroom apartment in the capital’s popular Grassmarket area to be rented out for short stay trips by up to six adults.

She said she was a ‘five-star super-host’ and relied upon the scheme as her main source of income.

But complaints were made to council bosses who launched an investigation before ordering her to stop using the second floor property on Castle Wynd South for guests.

City of Edinburgh Council said using Airbnb to allow people to stay breached planning rules and should be halted – but she appealed to the Scottish Government in a bid to continue the business.

Residents in the block wrote to the government outlining complaints about Mrs Burnett’s letting operation.

They said visitors caused noise disturbance and left single women living in the block feeling alarmed.

They added: ‘We know one another and are careful who we permit into the building. Strangers don’t care and hold the door open for anyone without challenging them.

‘We have had to escort people off the premises on many occasions. Whether rough sleepers or those looking for somewhere to take drugs.’

Mrs Burnett said she paid business rates on the Airbnb scheme and closely monitored her guests.

But government reporter John Martin has ruled against Mrs Burnett and ordered the lettings to halt.

‘Strangers don’t care’