Air Bnb has ruined my life

Aaand the obligatory knuckle dragger turns up with her wheelie-case of stereotypes.

Sounds horrendous, Op. I would keep looking for other rental properties, there might be a suitable one that comes up.

I'd like there to be a lot more council control over Airbnb.

Nothing as bad as your situation but our neighbours in London regularly Airbnb their place out. I hate not knowing if or when there are going to be strangers next door. There’s not much soundproofing so we can often hear them. There’s been parties, barking dogs for hours on end and a house cat that kept coming into our garden (!).

So I really feel your pain as your situation sounds far worse.

We always go for an Airbnb over a hotel. It’s cheaper when you need three rooms (teenage kids of different sexes) and you get a lounge area to hang out in. Plus you can cook some nights to save money from eating out. Think they’re here to stay, though I absolutely sympathise with the OP.

I think the reality is you put up with it for the 3 months of the year when it sucks, enjoy the 9 months when it’s fine, work on ways to change your financial situation so you more options in your area, or start thinking about moving to a non-touristy area.

But I’m sure you know all of that and are looking for an outlet. I’m sure it’s bad and don’t blame you for venting. I’m in the ‘what if’ stages of moving to a tourist destination in the next 5 years and this is my only cause for concern. Will have to some do some soul searching if I’m up for it.

Whilst you are not in the UK, the issues are the same if on a different scale. Such as in Cornwall.

Simple legislation to stop short term lets, even just in specific areas, would make a difference. The second best option would be for those letting the property to have to pay any fines for unacceptable behaviour.

Sorry to read of OPs experience and being unable to offer any suggestions given they are not UK residents.

I really feel for you. Your home should be your sanctuary. Hopefully the tide will turn and they will stop being so lucrative.

I am in my 50s and have never used one and I never want to. But I admit that my university student kids and their friends use them all the time when travelling around European cities. They find it a lot more affordable.

Do your local government have any rules about properties being listed with airbnb? Maybe restrictions on the number or for how much of the year they can be on short lets? Do you have contact with any neighbours who are owners and might have more power with the management company?
Are there any other properties to rent locally, not in such a large block, or in a block of mostly owner-occupiers? Although listed with airbnb, the owner might consider the advantages of long term tenants for less income.

@itsafan This is absolutely shit for you but if you are saying you really have no right to prevent it and you've been there for years, the only way to deal with this is to see it as an opportunity to try something different, a change is often daunting at first but is good for us. Your health and peace of mind is more important, for you and your daughter. How old is she? Is a totally new school and area a possibility? If not, what are your other options?

Just saw you’re in Spain. Contact your council and also the police when there’s noise. Do you have a residents group for the building? You could see if the other residents would vote for no air bnb policy.. if you’re in the majority it might happen.

I think you should contact the owners via your local council and explain the issues. Which country are you in???

I don’t think it’s entirely air BnB to blame. Essentially you’ve been priced out of your area and as you are renting you have little security. Can you find a way to earn more so it would be affordable? Expensive housing is often an issue; even if those places weren’t on air b n b it sounds like you wouldn’t be able to afford to buy one. There are lots of reasons why people prefer to do short term rentals rather than a longer tenancy; in many cases it offers less vulnerability for the landlord than a long term tenant, especially if you’re in a country where eviction is very difficult (eg in France).
can you call the police on the noise disturbance?? That shouldn’t be happening whoever is in the flats!

I'm so sorry. There is far, far too much tourism these days

Hotels (I’m in Ireland ) are absolutely extortionate. We looked into staying one night in a standard double (very mid range hotel ) and it was €300 and did not include breakfast….. popular area with tourist but omg..
@itsafan have you seen the prices for hotels ?

I agree OP, air b&b is an infuriating business - and it has strayed so far away from what it was originally set up as, and just become a nightmare. I live in London and I am SO glad it is not a thing in the development in which I live as it’s banned under the terms of living/owning here.

Surely other people who live in your building permanently are having the same issues? I would see if you can get them on board and complain as a group.

We choose air b n bs, because we do multiple cities in one trip and want to wash clothes, cook for ourselves sometimes etc. We do however remember that people actually live there and are quiet, respectful, don't slam doors ever, don't make any noise past about 9pm etc like we would in our own home.

Er, no, hotels are being used for the "purposes" you so snidely insinuate because Airbnb has destroyed their business model.

Barcelona???

I feel for you OP, it's a dreadful state of affairs.
Tourism is out of control, but it's such a lucrative business that I can't see any easy way out for the real residents.

Can't offer advice, just hope you can find a solution in the near future.

I choose hotels over air bnbs.

The problem is that for many, it’s a lot cheaper than hotels and people can get their own bedrooms for a much better price. I do think that they can destroy places so more restrictions are needed.