Calls for tighter controls on short-term let ‘party houses’
Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for tighter controls on accommodation providers such as Airbnb which they say are disrupting neighbourhoods and adding to Bath’s housing crisis.
The parties are launching separate motions at today’s council meeting but both call for short-term lets to be limited to 90 days a year and greater powers to prevent their spread.
The interventions come after a resident said she feared being forced out of her flat if her landlord realised it would be more lucrative as a short-term let on Airbnb.
A spokesperson for the website said at the time the typical South West host shares their space for 32 days a year and earns around £3,400.
Lib Dem councillor Will Sandry said: “Excessive noise, anti-social behaviour and dumped rubbish are some of the annoyances which the so-called ‘party houses’ have inflicted on neighbours. But the problems go even further.
“This boom in informal visitor accommodation has meant people looking to rent a home in Bath have fewer options available to them.
“The licensed hotel and guest house trade is also being damaged, as these competitors don’t have to face the same costs.
“It’s time the government acted and gave councils the powers to properly control these properties.
“We are suggesting following the successful HMO [house in multiple occupancy] model using planning permission for change of use and licensing to improve safety.
“A more controlled approach would improve standards and benefit professional hosts, while exemptions could be put in place for those who only occasionally rent a room.”
The Labour group said short-term lets are growing in number because the earnings are “irresistible” to landlords but regulation had failed to keep up.
Both motions will urge Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Tim Warren to write to government to ask for powers to control shortterm holiday lets for whole properties.