Campaign to control Airbnb ‘party houses’

BATH is being ruined by the spread of Airbnb properties, local councillors have warned, as they call for new rules to stop the rise of “party homes”.

An increasing number of large properties are being hired by revellers through the short-term home-rental company, to be used as venues for stag and hen parties, it has been claimed. At least 90 apartments are being let for such occasions in the Georgian city, with neighbours complaining about noise and litter.

Patrick Rotherham, of the Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations, said: “In Bath, in particular, there are a number of large houses being converted into shortterm rentals offering on average 15-20 beds to guests who stay in them. These can cause a lot of noise and nuisance in the neighbourhood, mostly in the form of latenight parties.

Currently, local authorities do not have the power to close Airbnb properties. But there have been growing calls for a statutory registration scheme to provide enforcement officers with the tools needed to target and restrict problem houses.

David Wood, a Lib Dem councillor, is among those pressing for tighter regulations to combat the problem. He said: “Because Airbnbs aren’t licensed, like many local authorities, Bath & North East Somerset Council has no special powers to restrict them or deal with the problems they can cause. We want to see the Government change the rules on Airbnbs so they can be controlled better and will be lobbying for this.”

Airbnb, which is valued at about £28.2billion, has said there is “no evidence” its guests are negatively contributing to litter in Bath. A spokesman said: “Airbnb is built on the principles of making communities stronger, and promoting healthy, sustainable travel.”