Short lets and Airbnb

With short lets or Airbnb, the guests keep changing. They don’t know the building or the area, and whoever you speak to today will have left tomorrow. That is why a message to the host or managing agent usually works better than approaching each group of guests separately.

Describe what you have experienced yourself, such as noise on the landing after midnight, wheelie suitcases on the stairs or guests ringing your bell. Ask for specific measures: house rules for guests, a phone number for problems and clear check-in instructions.

The example messages and the incident diary help you talk this through calmly and keep track of what you agree.

What is and isn’t allowed?

The rules differ across the UK. In London, letting a home as short-term accommodation for more than 90 nights a year generally needs planning permission. In Scotland, short-term lets need a licence from the council. Many leases of flats contain covenants that restrict short lets or business use, which the freeholder or managing agent can enforce, and tenants usually need their landlord’s consent to sublet. Noise that is a statutory nuisance can be reported to the council (Environmental Protection Act 1990).

How to approach it

1. Note down what happens a few times: date, time, what you heard or saw and the effect on you.

2. Find out who lets or manages the property, for example from the listing, the managing agent or the freeholder.

3. Send a friendly message with specific suggestions and agree a date to check whether they are working.

4. No change? Then inform the managing agent, freeholder or landlord, or contact the council.

Tips for your message

Address the host, not the guests. A sentence like ‘Could you ask guests to keep the stairwell quiet after 10 pm?’ usually works better than ‘Your holiday let is ruining the building’. Don’t post guests’ details or photos online.

This is general information, not legal advice.