Housing Solicitors

The ever increasing popularity of Airbnb has come under scrutiny recently as the government believe it is contributing to the rental crisis in London. In response to this Airbnb has implemented a policy whereby users of Airbnb are only allowed to rent out their property for a maximum of 90 days per annum.

However many believe that hundreds of properties in central London are being illegally used as short-term lets, contributing to both gentrification, breakdown of neighbourhood community and shortage of living space in the capital. In order to counter this Karen Buck MP backed by nine other MP’s are calling for landlords to have to notify councils of the dates they are letting their properties on a short-term basis. Currently around 1,100 properties in Westminster council are being investigated for breaching the 90 day limit.

With the ability to make £1,800 per week on a short-term two bedroom let, against £620 pcw for an assured short hold tenancy it is easy to see why short-term lets are an attractive option for property owners. However, with affordable living space already hard to come by, the government feel that councils are able to regulate how property is being utilised. A further issue with the high yield of short-term lets is that it pushes already increasing property prices up, as owners don’t mind paying more for space if they are able to make higher returns.

Although Airbnb’s 90 day policy is a step in the right direction, individuals can easily get around the system by using different sites or making small changes to their addresses.

Mark Field, MP for Cities of London and Westminster commented:

“A free-for-all in short-term lets is causing misery for thousands of our constituents. We want the local council to have effective powers to clamp down on this”

With Ms Buck commenting: “Alongside the responsible owner-occupiers are irresponsible ones, illegal subletters and an increasingly significant commercial operation, seeking to take advantage of potentially higher yields”.

Dalia Jamil, a Caseworker in the Duncan Housing Department, however has a different view on the matter:

“Airbnb and similar short-term lets have no impact on the availability of affordable housing in the UK. These schemes are generally targeted towards tourists and businessmen. As such, this snapshot has no bearing on the real picture of the UK’s housing crisis. A 90 day arrangement at a significantly higher than market value rent is neither appealing, nor attainable for the average UK family, employee or citizen. MPs and local authorities should therefore focus on implementing schemes that will remedy the housing crisis, rather than scapegoating the problem on Airbnb.”

Dalia has experience working in a wide variety of complex and high profile cases, frequently taking instruction from clients at night or during weekends on an emergency basis, specifically working with clients who are facing eviction.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors can guide clients in any matter or issues arising with local housing authorities, housing applications, tenants, landlords, ownership and repairs. The Duncan Lewis housing team specialises in representation in all social housing proceedings including reviews, appeals and judicial review relating to homelessness, disrepair, succession for tenants and neighbourhood disputes against local authorities.

If you have any housing related queries or require representation please do not hesitate to contact our team of expert solicitors on 0333 772 0409.