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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:
DoubleTweenQueen · 28/08/2021 10:40

I should add, I know landlords who are moving from long-term tenants to short-term lets (Airbnb) purely for the significant increase in return.

One person I know actually bought a property - beautifully done, in a very attractive University town, went for well over asking price (over a million) purely as an Airbnb investment property, Her husband’s an estate agent.

  • it’s a Victorian terraced house in a lovely -previously- tranquil street in the centre.

It’s a massive problem.

Rollercoaster1920 · 28/08/2021 10:43

If nothing else it'll make your house harder to sell.
Also stay good friends with the other flat owner to ensure they don't get together and try to change the freehold terms.

EvilPea · 28/08/2021 10:43

There’s literally nothing on to rent at the moment. Everything is being sold due to the price rises. So she’s talking bollocks and just wants to start using it as an air B and B Presumably the figure difference is something like high season she’s looking at £1000 a week instead of £1000 a month for a tenant. You can see why it’s attractive.

whatfreshheck · 28/08/2021 10:45

Just outline your concerns and leave it at that. There is no reason why it should negatively impact your relationship.

newnortherner111 · 28/08/2021 10:49

I have no experience. I hope you can persuade the upstairs owner not to go down that route, which would be preferable to having to use the law to stop it. Struggling to get new tenants may be because of asking too much in rent.

Aside from behavioural issues, turning it into Air BnB means that someone local is denied a rental who may be in a low paid job, and the property may be empty for parts of the year, such as between New Year and Easter.

Jangle33 · 28/08/2021 10:53

Clearly she’s put her flat on for too much money. She just needs to lower the price and stop being greedy or if she can’t afford to do that she should sell - presumably this is a second home/buy to let.

You bought your flat for you to live in as a family home. The covenant in the lease is relevant to the value you paid for your flat. I’d be very worried about the value/ability to sell yours in the future. Strongly advise you to object.

HollyGrail · 28/08/2021 12:30

Tell her you have a friend looking for somewhere to rent Grin

REsponse might be interesting.

DoubleTweenQueen · 28/08/2021 12:49

@Marni83 And agree it would be very understandable for you to say no - lease and other considerations included.
It’s a massive and fraught request - don’t weaken or agree to try it for 6months - completely justified to not entertain it at all.

BenjiMcSchmenzie · 28/08/2021 12:56

My next-door-neighbours (detached houses, very close together) rent out two of their bedrooms on AirBnB. It can be awful, as the guests often use the balcony late at night when drunk, or allow their children to run screaming around the garden at 6am (we live in a south coast tourist town). AirBnB didn't exist when we moved here, and I hate it! It used to be so peaceful.

HollyGrail · 28/08/2021 12:59

I think I would start ruining the guests holidays - blaring music, blocked drive so they can't park, complain about the DCs noise.
Why are we so nice....... if it had got to the stage I was thinking of moving I would make sure there were a few comments about 'noise' etc on the landlord's site.

billy1966 · 28/08/2021 13:03

Only a complete CF would suggest that would like to live below a stream of strangers having a few days away and the constant noise that inevitably follows people on a break.

No and don't be even slightly apologetic.

CF IMO.

viques · 28/08/2021 13:07

@saveforthat

If you all own a share of the freehold and the lease prohibits it just say no.
And mention that it probably invalidates her insurance, which will affect all of the flats if there is a fire/flood caused by her air B and B tenants.
JamSconeCat · 28/08/2021 13:16

It's a scourge isn't it?

Economic advantage or desperate insecurity? I don't know. Everyone is clawing for their extra few bucks.

I lived in the Lake District for a good while, recently hearing about acquaintances up there who are being given notice on £600 pcm properties so that the owner can let the out as airB&B for £2000 per week.

I have a feeling this will soon come crashing down as the pandemic desperation dissolves.

JamSconeCat · 28/08/2021 13:17

I also think this is the middle class version of what working class communities went through with every second house becoming a HMO.

godmum56 · 28/08/2021 13:32

there is/was an air b n b abutting my garden. Before covid it was a noisy nightmare. i don't know if the neighbours complained but it hasn't started up again than goodness.

user1471428785 · 28/08/2021 13:46

I can see this from both sides. On the one hand, for reasons I won't go into I gave up work and have an Air BnB myself which is a good part of my income now. BUT it is in a separate studio ( converted garage) in our garden and people don't need to come through the house to access it. Mainly (so far) it has been fine- a few oddballs, including the people who are in right now- but some lovely people have come who are quiet and respectful of the neighbours. My neighbours have said it doesn't disturb them but we live in detached houses so its ok. No way would I be happy living in a flat with my neighbour doing Air BnB and you should definitely say no.
The other side of me doesn't like the massive encroachment of Air BnB in big cities as it impacts so many renters, including my daughter who will be looking to rent in Edinburgh next year. I can imagine it will be an expensive nightmare.

Original poster
Marni83 · 28/08/2021 17:07

@MauveMavis

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.

Tho so baffled me because surely tourists and visitors are often in an area to spend money…. Locally. On cafes, gift shops, activities. Certainly my friend owns a gift shop on our high street and her business would be decimated without tourists.

Thank you all. Invaluable

She’s not “having me on”. 6 years I have known her and to say she has contributed towards building costs that benefit me rather than her (long story) would be an understatement

However i have to my children and enjoyment of home first. So will be saying “no”.

Thanks again

OP posts:
MauveMavis · 29/08/2021 00:10

@Marni83 surprised you haven’t come across the concept of over Airbnb-ing.

It’s in the press a lit and is why several major cities worldwide are restricting the use of properties as short term lets.

Yes, tourists bring revenue to some businesses but barely use others and the whole community suffers then.

Or Google the second home effect In Cornwall. Once thriving towns losing schools, gp surgeries and those who work to service tourism unable to afford to live in a decent property.

Shamoo · 29/08/2021 00:19

Say no OP. Without a doubt. Say no. Honestly living near an air BnB place is awful

MsFogi · 29/08/2021 00:29

You're likely to have more wear and tear on the stairwell with people dragging lots of luggage up and down (and banging the walls/bannisters on the way up and down).

PurplePeach83 · 29/08/2021 01:07

I'm a former property manager and if there is a clause in the lease that forbids it, the buildings insurance will likely not be valid in the event of a claim, so you have a perfectly valid reason not to agree. You could say that although you'd like to help her out, the insurance wouldn't be valid, so it's a non starter unfortunately. That way, there's no need to worry about your answer affecting your relationship.

a8mint · 29/08/2021 04:11

I would imagine it would have to be the freeholder who has to take action though, not neighbouring leaseholders like yourself?

phishy · 29/08/2021 04:24

I bet she’s not living next to a Airbnb! Glad you have decided to say no.

Positive relationships based on one party being taken advantage of don’t mean anything.

Cascascascas · 29/08/2021 04:40

@Marni83

It’s forebodes in lease so not up to you
Don’t let it happen

Your life will be ruined