THE AIRBNB CRACKDOWN

Owners face the threat of legal action, fines and even a ban on letting in wake of surge in anti-social behaviour

AIRBNB owners are facing a crackdown as SNP ministers vow to get tough on problem properties.

Soaring numbers of short-term lets in Scotland have prompted a flood of complaints over rowdy parties, property damage and the fracturing of communities.

In some tourism hot-spots such as Edinburgh, homeowners have complained of being left isolated as entire tenements are taken over by Airbnb properties.

Under options now being considered to protect the worst-hit areas, landlords could face complete bans or punishing fines if their short-term lets have an adverse impact on local residents.

The Scottish Government said it was determined to regulate the sector amid growing concerns over the impact on the housing market and a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Figures show an explosion in Airbnb listings in Scotland between April 2016 and May 2019, rising from just under 10,500 to around 32,000.

A Government consultation, which attracted more than 1,000 responses, found a majority of Scots would back tougher regulations on Airbnb.

Scottish Greens housing spokesman

Andy Wightman said: ‘I am pleased that the residents who responded to the consultation were broadly agreed that more regulation is needed and that those who own these properties should be held accountable.’

More than half of all Scottish listings are located in Edinburgh or the Highlands, while five local authority areas have fewer than 100 Airbnb properties.

Across Scotland, 1. per cent of residential properties are listed on Airbnb, the research shows. More than ,500 listings (8 per cent of those in Scotland) are owned by only four people.

A Government report has identified key benefits from short-term lets, such as a boosting local economies and increased earnings for homeowners.

But it also raised concerns over reduced availability of residential housing and a negative impact on quality of life for people living in areas with high concentrations of Airbnb properties such as Edinburgh and Skye.

The Government has yet to set out its plans for regulating the sector but officials confirmed that they will consider suggestions put forward by respondents to the survey. These includes limiting the number of short-term lets in some areas and banning Airbnb in certain buildings, including tenements.

They also suggested making changes to planning laws so that Airbnb landlords would have to obtain council permission or change the status of properties from residential to business.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said short-term lets had contributed positively to tourism and local economies.

But he added: ‘We know that in certain areas, particularly tourist hot-spots, high numbers of short-term lets are causing problems and often making it harder for people to find homes to live in. The responses to our consultation confirm support for new controls over short-term letting in these problem areas. We will carefully consider the evidence before setting out our proposals later this year.’

An Airbnb spokesman said: ‘We want to be good partners to Scotland, which is why we announced backing for a simple, free and online registration system in communities that need it, extending planning requirements to professional lets hosting over 140 nights per year, and support for a tourism levy for communities that want it.’