London, UK – September 19, 2024 – MPs have raised alarms over the negative impacts of short-term holiday lets, such as stag and hen parties, illegal brothels, and drug dens, which are reportedly plaguing neighborhoods across the UK. The concerns come amidst a growing call for new legislation to regulate these properties more effectively.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York, described the issues faced by her constituents during a Westminster Hall debate, citing frequent disturbances from noisy parties and illegal activities. “The nightmare starts every Friday evening when they hear the wheelie suitcases coming up the road,” Maskell said. “We’ve had pop-up brothels and drug dens. When landlords are challenged, they often just shrug and walk away.”
Maskell, who has drafted a Private Members Bill advocating for stricter regulations, emphasized the need for penalties to hold rogue landlords accountable. She proposed that a compulsory registration scheme should be implemented, where licenses are granted to named, verified, and accountable individuals. This would allow authorities to take legal action against non-compliant landlords.
The debate saw support from about a dozen Labour MPs who echoed Maskell’s concerns. Rachel Blake, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, argued that Airbnb—often highlighted in discussions—has evolved from a peer-to-peer platform to a significant commercial enterprise. She criticized the platform for contributing to the shortage of housing for local residents, pointing out that her constituency now has nearly 28,000 short-term lets.
In Cornwall, Truro and Falmouth MP Jayne Kirkham reported that the private rental sector has nearly collapsed due to the high volume of holiday lets. Similarly, Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Keswick, noted that his town’s 1,000 holiday lets outnumber the local population of 5,000, causing significant harm to the community.
The impact on housing markets has been a recurring theme. MPs highlighted how the rise in short-term lets has distorted housing availability and diminished community cohesion. The lack of a centralized data source on short-term lettings complicates efforts to address these issues comprehensively.
In response, Conservative housing spokesman David Simmonds suggested a “light touch” register that would monitor the number of holiday lets without introducing new enforcement powers. He proposed integrating this into the planning system.
Meanwhile, Junior Housing Minister Rushanara Ali confirmed the government’s commitment to creating a register of short-term lets but did not endorse the licensing scheme proposed by Labour MPs. The Scottish Government has already implemented a licensing scheme in 2022 aimed at curbing antisocial behavior and addressing the housing crisis.
Airbnb, which has been proactive in banning parties and illegal activities on its platform, reiterated its support for a national registration system. A spokesperson stated, “Airbnb was the first platform to help enforce home-sharing rules in London, and we have called on the government to introduce a national host registration system across England. We have zero tolerance for illegal activity and parties.”
The debate continues as MPs, local authorities, and stakeholders grapple with the best approach to regulate short-term holiday lets and mitigate their adverse effects on communities.