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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not agree to flat neighbour air bnbing her flat? (Any one live above/below a flat on air bnb?

81 replies

Marni83 · 27/08/2021 18:41

Would really appreciate your thoughts.

I have lived in my flat for 6 years. It’s a beautiful, large flat in a conservation area. Very happy. The upstairs owner has rented out her property for the last four years. Generally, it’s been absolutely fine and even when there’s been an issue - it’s been very mild and resolved itself swiftly.

She is struggling to fill the flat with new tenants. So she has emailed me to say that she plans to start air bnbing the flat.

We live in a very popular tourist town, so I have no doubt it would be a success.

However… I am not at all keen. Firstly, I checked the lease - and it’s actually forbidden for any of the 3 flats in the block to be used for any purpose other than a private dwelling for one family.
So I know i have the law on my side.

But it is not quite so straightforward as that. The other two owners and I get on well and have all contributed to individual costs to flats and generally just a nice and pleasant relationship (the third flat is also tenanted and has a private entrance so wouldn’t be so impacted in any event) and I suspect my refusal will cause tension.

I am reluctant because I have two children, and currently our home feels so safe and secure. The idea of us sharing an entrance and staircase with a steady stream of different people, and the potential noise / issues with rubbish and general potential hassle…. Is very unappealing

Does any one live in a flat above or below a flat that is on air bnb? If so, what is your experience?

Thanks

OP posts:
mahrezzy · 27/08/2021 20:37
  • freeholders can say no if lease says not allowed (as you say it does)
  • if she has a BTL mortgage it will be against the terms of her mortgage too.
saveforthat · 27/08/2021 21:36

If you all own a share of the freehold and the lease prohibits it just say no.

Queenie6655 · 27/08/2021 21:41

I think you have summed up your reasons in your first post

Just be honest and say why you are worried about it

She has got to find another way

GrandmasCat · 27/08/2021 21:47

Much easier to say “sorry it is forbidden” now than trying to stop the AirBnB once it is already running with all tenants approval.

Personally, I wouldn’t worry much about upsetting the person because it may be their flat but she is no longer your neighbour. I’ll rather annoy her once than being annoyed constantly by the noise her guests produce.

I managed the AirBnB business of a friend when he went away for a long holiday… things I got called for in the middle of the night included noisy sex, people demanding to use the washer at 2 am in the morning, people locked out banging the door late at night to see if some other guest would open, mud and rubbish in common areas, drunken hen parties, etc. It totally put me off of AirBNB and the idea of becoming a host… I think I had it easy, if I had had someone renting one of the properties for a pop up brother (some AirBNB hosts have got that) I would have hit the roof.

GrandmasCat · 27/08/2021 21:48

Brothel, not Brother, my autocorrect is obviously a prude!

maddening · 27/08/2021 21:48

Fuck it, she doesn't care about relations with you, I would not hold her's in regard either

FangsForTheMemory · 27/08/2021 21:49

Suggest she AIR B&B but only for longer term rentals, say minimum 3 months?

StillWalking · 27/08/2021 21:53

Object if you can!! Not a flat, but our house is one of five on a private, gated close. We all have remote controls for the gate and there is a key pad on the gate post for visitors or if anyone forgets their remote.

One house has been and Airbnb for a couple of years now. Whilst (to be fair) most of the visitors have been quiet and respectful, we have had our share of noisy hen parties, drunk wedding parties, drug dealers, large and noisy family gatherings and groups who simply could care less how much noise and mess they create.

Even the quiet and respectful ones cause issues as there is a constant stream of strangers coming and going,and cars parked on the drive causing obstructions and damaging the grass verges. Everyone is given the remote control and the key pad code ... so much for privacy!!!

In short, it’s vile living next to an Airbnb.

Weatherwhether · 27/08/2021 21:55

You are looking at this the wrong way. She is risking upsetting you by doing Air BnB. You would have to be a complete doormat to allow it in case it upset her, especially when it's actually forbidden. It would obviously be awful for you - noisy, messier, completely impossible to control who comes and goes. The covenants of the building are there for a reason.

usernamestillnottaken · 27/08/2021 21:59

@GrandmasCat

Much easier to say “sorry it is forbidden” now than trying to stop the AirBnB once it is already running with all tenants approval.

Personally, I wouldn’t worry much about upsetting the person because it may be their flat but she is no longer your neighbour. I’ll rather annoy her once than being annoyed constantly by the noise her guests produce.

I managed the AirBnB business of a friend when he went away for a long holiday… things I got called for in the middle of the night included noisy sex, people demanding to use the washer at 2 am in the morning, people locked out banging the door late at night to see if some other guest would open, mud and rubbish in common areas, drunken hen parties, etc. It totally put me off of AirBNB and the idea of becoming a host… I think I had it easy, if I had had someone renting one of the properties for a pop up brother (some AirBNB hosts have got that) I would have hit the roof.

All of this. Including the brothel.

I live close to an open air entertainments venue which is fronted by apartments which overlook the venue in question. Owners and tenants alike have regular ongoing instances of the above from neighbouring Airbnb flats. Visitors enjoy a wild (sometimes long) weekend, there's no comeback to them and the owners don't care because they don't live there. Sadly, the management company refuses to act, but that's another story.

It is all about the money and I would want to nip this in the bud very quickly.

Cherrysoup · 27/08/2021 22:07

Why do you care about relations with her if she rents it out and doesn’t live there?

DontDrinkDontSmokeWhatDoIDo · 27/08/2021 22:08

OP

you know this a terrible option for you.

Don't feel 'bad' about letting down the other flat owner: Feel angry that she would impose this on you.

Luckily the lease is on your side.
Say no and she'll have a to find a longer term
Tenant (from the thousands available).

GCAcademic · 27/08/2021 22:13

I wouldn’t factor in relations with her in responding to this. If it goes ahead and you end up living next door to a party flat, your relationship is pretty such screwed anyway. She clearly isn’t bothered about upsetting relations with you either.

Confusedandshaken · 27/08/2021 22:18

We have a holiday flat in a seaside town. Quite a few of our neighbours were airbnbing their properties and it was a total nightmare. Most of them were fine but every weekend there would be at least one flat partying into the small hours, people screaming and shouting in the corridors, food and drink waste in the halls and lifts, the street door left open. Eventually the building owners wrote to everyone reminding them that the lease did not allow holiday lets. It's been much better since then.

Porcupineintherough · 27/08/2021 22:19

Years ago I lived in a block of flats when 1 was let out as an AirBNB. And not just an AirBNB but a "party AirBNB" - hire for a night or two and party with your mates.

It was hell. Luckily it was against the terms of the lease so was stopped.

So, in your case, I'd be deeply nervous and would say no. As a pp I'd be really puzzled as to why she cabt find a tenant. Maybe she should upgrade the property or lower the price.

If you really dont want to block her then you could maybe negotiate on the number of beds and length of let she allows.

Griefmonster · 27/08/2021 22:26

@Weatherwhether

You are looking at this the wrong way. She is risking upsetting you by doing Air BnB. You would have to be a complete doormat to allow it in case it upset her, especially when it's actually forbidden. It would obviously be awful for you - noisy, messier, completely impossible to control who comes and goes. The covenants of the building are there for a reason.
Agree with this.

But overall, just try to have a straight conversation with her:

  • Thanks for asking
  • I would have a few concerns about safety and security
  • But at the end of the day, lease doesn't allow it so I can't agree.
AllTheOtherNamesWereTaken · 27/08/2021 22:52

My friend lived next to one and she said some weekends there would be very loud sex coming through the walls!!

silentpool · 27/08/2021 23:08

I would object, both on personal security and potential nuisance grounds. I am in the upstairs flat and the downstairs neighbours complain about regular household noises - such as me walking around. It could be far worse if you are dealing with people on holiday constantly, as they might be noisy.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 28/08/2021 05:44

Our close next door neighbours has recently turned into Airbnb. He's proud that this place has generated £3500 in last month (not London)

Some renters are fine, many are not...

And you hace no idea IF its going to be a bad renter til they're underway. Angry

Loud partying midweek
Loud shouting greeting friends arrivals at 2am on a school day.
Parking issues - narrow Lane. Waitrose delivery blocks access to all us neighbours parking.

By far the noise and the continual coming/going... Much more than a usual domestic property...

These people are on holiday... They don't seem to care if they upset us...

meadowbleu · 28/08/2021 06:10

On our flat’s communal building insurance it’s noted how many properties are owner occupied and which have short hold tenancies. I think the policy would increase to include ABB, or, in the event of a claim, it may not be covered.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 28/08/2021 06:27

when I know she’s desperate

If she was desperate she would either lower the rent or sell the property. She is not forced to AirBnB, she has other options. Just she prefers to make more money even if it means upsetting the neighbours.

Remember that when you are worrying about spoiling relations with her!

HollyGrail · 28/08/2021 06:30

Isnt' it the case that if you can't find a tenant you lower the rent and find one.
I did that a few years ago, I think it was post the financial crash - there didn't seem to be many jobs in the area.

Lower the rent - get a normal tenant.

Seeleyboo · 28/08/2021 10:29

Christ. Poor you. I have one next door to me. A large house. Absolute bloody nighmare. The noise and rubbish. They park their cars where they shouldn't. I truly dread every day when i see a new car pull up. My other neighbour who is on the other side of the house wants to move after being here 15 years.

DoubleTweenQueen · 28/08/2021 10:34

@Marni83 You must refuse. Your flat is your HOME. Owner is absolutely looking at ££££££ better return on the property, and that puts your quiet enjoyment of your HOME at significant risk.
There’s a reason for the lease stipulations.

Good luck - feel for you, and anyone else living with Airbnb :(

MauveMavis · 28/08/2021 10:38

I live in a block with a "single family dwelling" clause.

We used this to stop one of the flats being used as an airbnb - it was problematic for noise, rubbish disposal and lack of respect for the communal spaces.

My home city (not where I live now) has been decimated by airbnb - once thriving city centre neighbourhoods are wall to wall airbnb and local residents struggle to rent accommodation. I've actually stopped using airbnb when I travel due to this.

Last time I went away I stayed in a former seaside guesthouse that had been converted into three apartments - the owner still lived on site. This sat with me better that renting a property that could be a home.

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