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ANOTHER council wades in to regulate ‘wild west’ Airbnb property sector

Brighton councillors vote through motion calling for Airbnb to draw up list of local 'trusted landlords' as disruption by 'party houses' causes anger in the seaside city.

Nigel Lewis

airbnb

Brighton has become the latest city to tackle Airbnb and other short-term lettings platform head-on with new regulations.

Councillors at Brighton and Hove City Council yesterday passed a motion requiring Airbnb to draw a list of ‘approved landlords’ within the seaside resort.

The move is designed to clamp down on the problem of ‘party houses’ when big groups book whole properties for hen and stag gatherings and go on to disturb local residents into the early hours.

Earlier this month the council also called on the government to start charge Airbnb landlords business rates to create a level playing field with hotels and traditional bed and breakfast establishments.

airbnb“It’s like the Wild West in some ways,” councillor Jackie O’Quinn (left), who proposed the landlord registration measure, told local media.

“Technology has moved ahead and we have still got to catch up. Most visitors to our city enjoy themselves without these issues and are very welcome here. But we hear residents’ concerns and wish to build on previous work.”

Airbnb has said it is working on a statutory registration system for all of its hosts across the globe that would satisfy Brighton’s request.

The city’s efforts are hot on the heels of similar action taken by both Bristol City Council, which is seeking to regulate properties rented out via Airbnb, and the Scottish government. It is to give local councils HMO-style powers to ensure properties are safe to rent and enable ‘party houses’ to be closed down more quickly.

January 16, 2020

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