The Labour council at Brighton and Hove is to consider a clampdown on Airbnbs and holiday lets.
Local media in the town reports that a report is going to the full council meeting next month advocating use of planning laws and possible register systems for short lets.
A report prepared for councillors claims there’s an estimated 2,000 to 6,000 homes used as short and holiday lets in Brighton and Hove, with an additional 2,100 homes for long-term rent listed on Rightmove at the time of the report’s creation.
Green councillor Ollie Sykes is quoted in local media as saying: “Basically, there is nowhere to rent in Brighton and Hove any more. It’s all Airbnb which is absolutely crazy. I’m all for compliant regulated short-term lets … but also clear that should be controlled by planning due to the impact on housing.”
The boom in holiday lets has also placed more strain on the council’s rubbish and recycling services, according to the report, which also suggests that small letting businesses are “getting away” with not paying business rates.
The Brighton and Hove News website says the council may propose creating a zone or zones where Airbnbs are permitted and where they are not usually to be allowed, as work gets under way on the new City Plan for Brighton and Hove.
It suggests this could operate in a similar way to the hotels zoning that currently exists, encouraging hotels on the seafront and in central areas while discouraging them in other places.
This article is taken from Landlord Today