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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To advise anyone not to move next to an AIR BNB

120 replies

Beggingforsilence · 27/06/2021 19:49

NC as don't want linked to my other posts.

I think IABU, I don't know. I recently moved into a beautiful old house in a coastal location rented. I've been here about eight months. It's lovely and spacious, and is close to my work and has fields behind it to walk my dog- the issue is the air bnb next door.

I wasn't aware when I moved in that next door (adjoining) was an air bnb, estate agent even said a nice lady lived there. Turns out yes, it's an air bnb and a popular one as we live 10 minutes from a large town, and 20 minutes from a big city one side and another 10min to the coast.

The issue is that every day the noise from the air bnb is unbearable. The owner has redecorated and the property has a bar with snooker table, sound system etc- also a large garden with bbq and hot tub. It looks lovely from the photos on air bnb. The issue is that every night including weeknights until 2/3am, there's hottub laughter, and music and bbq's and in the day time as well.

I wouldn't mind if this was just a neighbour, as would expect them to be at work in the week, so only use it during the evening or maybe on weekends, but as this is a holiday home and those using are on their holidays, it's every single day and night with no let up.

I'm a young-ish person 32F, so I usually put my headphones in or watch TV a little louder or go out, but it's becoming completely unavoidable now and I never really know whose going to turn up :( . A few nights ago, I was getting into my front door and a few guys at the air bnb were outside and they were making jeers and being leary drunk. I just locked my door and went up to bed but was a bit weary.

Sometimes it's partiers, other times it families or single couples. I did message my neighbour, who owns the property and lives 200 miles away and she said that everyone is vetted by air bnb, there's house rules etc but I doubt she'll give up the air bnb as it's currently on the site for 220 a night, so for a week over a 1000 pound.

I'm going to have to move aren't i? I feel so much guilt as these people are on holiday and trying to enjoy themselves and have paid a lot of money, at the same time- I can't really enjoy my house which I also pay a lot for even though it's everything I've always wanted. It accepts my dog, and has great space. I just feel so gutted.

I did have an important exam last week, and opened the window at 4am to ask one group to keep it down as I needed sleep, and they just laughed. I guess they're not bothered as once they check out they don't have to see me again?

Not sure, what I want from this just wanted to vent :(

OP posts:
Wombat24 · 27/06/2021 21:41

Yep, this is why I'd not advise anyone to live in Edinburgh anymore. It used to be quiet and residential in the city centre, now it's got either students or short-term holiday people in every block. Unenforceable.

landofgiants · 27/06/2021 21:43

I feel for you. I live next to a holiday rental too and it really pisses me off. Unlike you, I haven't had to deal with unreasonable noise levels, or a hot tub, but get annoyed with endless new people peering in my garden/wandering on my driveway/leaning over the wall to photograph my chickens. Not all renters are like this, but when they are it really gives me the rage.

I think with real neighbours there is a more equal/reciprocal relationship where I wouldn't mind the peering over the wall etc because you know them a bit. I live near the coast but not in a 'tourist' type neighbourhood. I think this sort of change of use should require planning permission too, unless it is very short term arrangement.

RubyViolet · 27/06/2021 21:48

@WimpoleHat

Various things to try:
  1. Council. They often have a noise patrol. Constant reports; report every time.
  2. Play fire with fire. They keep you up until 4am? Loud music at 7am. Leave something noisy on and go out. A few crap reviews will get the owner’s attention.
  3. Speak to your landlord, who is likely to be on your side….
This ! Fight fire with fire, you become the problem neighbour. Create a few small bursts of noise, enough to wake them up. 7am music, 8am drills, hammer, a project you are working on. Do this after they have had a late night. Or move.
landofgiants · 27/06/2021 21:49

YES to revenge noise when they are sleeping. I do think that you've got a noisy few months ahead and then things will settle down a bit. Once international travel becomes easier a lot of people will go abroad. So maybe sit tight until the autumn and see how things are then?

landofgiants · 27/06/2021 21:51

Children armed with pans and spoons work well too Wink

HancockScrewedCareHomes · 27/06/2021 21:55

Nightmare. It might be the advert style??Have you looked for it?

I hope to think we are never like this when we rent an Airbnb!

whataboutbob · 27/06/2021 21:55

@Titterofwit definitely not a U.K. only problem. There is ( or maybe was) a political party in Barcelona whose only issue was limiting the number of tourists and air bnbs. The locals have had enough ( those who aren’t benefitting from mass tourism anyway).

whataboutbob · 27/06/2021 21:56

While I think of it, Amsterdam and New York have put limits on the number of weeks per year someone can let their property for short tourist let’s.

Wallywobbles · 27/06/2021 21:59

@WimpoleHat

Various things to try:
  1. Council. They often have a noise patrol. Constant reports; report every time.
  2. Play fire with fire. They keep you up until 4am? Loud music at 7am. Leave something noisy on and go out. A few crap reviews will get the owner’s attention.
  3. Speak to your landlord, who is likely to be on your side….
As a rental owner (with seriously tough T&Cs) I can confirm the bad review is your friend. Honestly I'd be hanging around with a (legal) shotgun. Be scary psycho. You'll get a rapid response immediately.
RozHuntleysStump · 27/06/2021 21:59

I used to play ‘don’t pay the ferryman’ on repeat with the window open. Not too loud to get in trouble but loud enough to hear. Then I’d piss off out.

It sounds horrendous.

Wallywobbles · 27/06/2021 22:00

Well I quoted the wrong person but still.

randomkey123 · 27/06/2021 22:00

You need to be really pro-active in noise complaints. And try to persuade other NDN's to do the same, it carries far more weight that way.

Don't just accept it and move on without a fight.

lllllllllll · 27/06/2021 22:04

I know Airbnb is fantastic for holidaymakers, but I do worry about the impact on local communities and resident like the OP.

SummerWhisper · 27/06/2021 22:09

It is a police matter (public nuisance) and council matter (noise pollution). Contact Environmental Health at your local council and also the cabinet member for housing / neighbourhoods.

mayblossominapril · 27/06/2021 22:10

If it is let for more than30 weeks per year she needs change of use planning permission. If it is let for more then 21 weeks and I think 6 days she needs to pay business rates.

porkincider · 27/06/2021 22:13

I live next door to an Air BnB and it was never really an issue at all (the odd inconsiderate parking issues aside) until they installed a bastarding hot tub. They built a sort of pergola thing around it which obscures the view of it from neighbours but seems to also make anyone in the hot tub completely forget that there are neighbours. The hot tub pergola is almost directly under my bedroom and at least once a fortnight someone will be having noisy sex in it 🤢. I have a water pistol that I keep on my window sill and I’ve got a pretty good aim now, the best thing being that they can’t see where it’s coming from and assume it’s something squirting out of the hot tub.

newnortherner111 · 27/06/2021 22:14

I'd report all noise, check about the planning permission, and 'accidentally' sound your car horn just after 7am in the morning on a few occasions.

Perhaps if Mr Jenrick spent more time considering real housing issues and less hobnobbing with developers, laws restricting AirBnB and other self catering rentals would be introduced.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 27/06/2021 22:14

@Titterofwit

Is neighbour noise only a problem in the UK? I would be interested to know what happens in other countries. I only know that when we stayed in small cabins on a greek island any noise after 11pm I think was complained about by the neighbours immediately.Just sitting on the balcony chatting and laughing loudly was enough and I heard that properly annoying noises like music and high jinks brought the police along with their own way of dealing with nuisances. Here it seems you have to put up with noise of all sorts for months on end just to get an acknowledgement from the council. Well, thats what it is in this area ( west midlands)anyway.
I've lived in several countries and yes, the UK is definitely the worst for being expected to put up with serious noise pollution and anti-social neighbours. Separately from the AirB&B thing, it's the worst for being expected to put up with seriously bad behaviour from others.
newnortherner111 · 27/06/2021 22:15

Sorry, forgot, if you know the person's name etc, report to HMRC.

nonono1 · 27/06/2021 22:15

I have a water pistol that I keep on my window sill and I’ve got a pretty good aim now

Haha! Grin

Original poster
Beggingforsilence · 27/06/2021 22:20

Thank you all for your kind words and suggestions! I’ll take it up with the council firstly and landlord and go from there.

I’d considered leaving but financially it’ll be quite a stretch. I had to pay 12 months upfront for this place as I have a dog and I waited for months for someone that accepted pets and had the space for the dog. The dog used to be my dads and is 13 years old so doesn’t really bark or do much anymore as that could’ve been payback with the barking.

The advert does actually say no house parties or loud noise after midnight but I don’t think people really care and my neighbour isn’t going to drive 200 miles to sort it out.

There’s currently a family in there with a very upset baby crying all hours but it’s an actual welcome change to hearing lads listening to rap til 3am.

OP posts:
SMabbutt · 27/06/2021 22:20

Are they affecting other neighbours as well? Go en masse to ask them to stop the noise at 10.30 and then all complain to the council if they don't. Or you could all be totally mean and set the smelliest smokiest bbqs ever whenever they head for the garden, making sure all your windows and doors are shut. Then play a clash of high opera, bhangra and heavy metal for 10 minute bursts when it will be the most inconvenient for them.

DdraigGoch · 27/06/2021 22:24

Farms can only let fields out to campers for 28 days (extended to 56 because of covid) before needing change of use permission. Rules ought to be made this strict for AirBnB - wasn't it originally for lodging in an otherwise permanently-occupied residence, rather than for full-blown holiday let's?

Original poster
Beggingforsilence · 27/06/2021 22:32

Unfortunately as we’re in a village outskirts location the nearest neighbour is about the length of two other houses away, and is a large detached house so doubt they hear much. Unfortunately my house (used to be one big large house) has been sold as two adjoining separate properties

OP posts:
Qwertywertyisme · 27/06/2021 22:32

I'd get a recording of a baby crying and put it on at 6am
I'd buy a strimmer and the second they're in the hot tub start strimming
Get Alexa and set to play loud the second you leave for work
Get some cheap boards, a hammer and drill and do pretend DIY, early!!
Set up a spotlight from your window onto the hot tub

You need to be consistent with the above, bad reviews, no guests!!!

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