Agenda item

Two members of the public, Fiona Wilde and David Redgewell have registered to make a statement at this meeting.

The Chairman acknowledged that he had received a statement in writing on behalf of David Redgewell and said that the contents were more appropriate to the Communities, Transport & Environment Panel, he would therefore forward it to them.

Fiona Wilde made a statement to the Panel on the subject of Airbnb’s. A copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book and as an online attachment to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

I wish to raise my concerns about the proliferation of flats in Bath rented out in their entirety as Airbnb’s, and state how this affects me directly.

There are currently 896 Airbnb lets in Bath – the number of lets having increased by 66% over the previous year.

Airbnb started out as people letting out a spare room in their own home on a short term basis, or their flat when they were away on holiday. What worries me is that now, entire flats are commonly used as Airbnbs in increasing number – particularly those in short supply – studio, 1 bed and 2 bed flats. Over 350 of Airbnb lets currently available in Bath are 1 or 2 bedroom flats.

In 2015 the Government amended the law to allow the short term let of properties in London not exceeding 90 days a year. It is up to the Local Authorities of other cities to decide whether to apply this for themselves. Bath and North East Somerset Council is clearly not doing so.

Last year, the long-term tenant of the flat above me was evicted purely so that the owner could renovate and let the flat out as an Airbnb. She lists it as her ‘home’ which is untrue as she lives elsewhere in Bath.

My rent is £19.40 a day, a weekly rent of £136.10, £590 a month.

The Airbnb above me is currently charging £80 a day, which is a weekly rent of £560, £2480 a month.

The huge profits when the 90 day limit is not enforced are clearly a massive incentive. My concern is that, with the prospect of such easy money, there is very little reason for the owner of my flat not to do the same, either becoming an Airbnb host herself, or selling the flat to the owner of the flat above me, allowing her to extend her Airbnb ‘business’ to two properties.

In the case that my home becomes an Airbnb – what are my chances of finding an affordable place to live – with rents continually increasing and available flats disappearing in order to exploit this Airbnb loophole? I cannot afford the extortionate rents charged for the new builds or the current flats which are becoming harder to find, and I am not alone in this.

My flat is in a highly desirable area for tourists and there are already at least three other Airbnbs in my street. Bath is particularly vulnerable to Airbnb because of its high level of tourism to a proportionately low population.

The full political ramifications of the Airbnb ‘system’ continuing without adequate legislation are only just beginning to be seen. Every indication is that they will be highly destructive and divisive to society if the current trajectory continues unabated.

Councillor Colin Blackburn acknowledged the concerns raised and asked if she was worried about the traffic of people in and out of the flat above her.

Fiona Wilde replied that the fire alarm has been set off a few times mistakenly by people staying there and she said that she is sometimes contacted if people staying there can’t get hold of the owner. She added that she does have a slight concern over seeing strangers in the hallway and the safety of her post.

Councillor Barry Macrae agreed that the subject is a concern to the Council and that the Panel is hoping to look at the issue in more detail later in the year. He said that he would encourage other speakers to represent their views.

Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods said that the Council were trying to address the issue but are not able to introduce legislation at the current time. He added that a letter has been sent to Government this week on this subject. He said that from July WECA will have some powers within this area.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented whether the fact that the owner of the flat claims it is their residence would be of interest to the HMRC.

The Chairman thanked Fiona Wilde for her statement on behalf of the Panel and said the Panel would look to discuss the matter in more detail at its September meeting.