AIBU to report a flat being used for Airbnb?

[VeryQuaintIrene]

Interested in others' opinions on this one. The management in my block explicitly prohibit airbnb rentals. I was pretty sure that the flat opposite mine was being used like this and I did a little sleuthing and found it on the site. Normally, I might decide that it's none of my business (the guests have not been disruptive) except that the owners deliberately turfed out the lovely woman who lived there with her family, causing her a lot of financial and other stress, so that they could make way more money than with a regular tenancy. Should I tell the management company? I think my motives maybe are a bit vengeful (and obviously it's too late for my lovely ex-neighbour) and I probably won't do anything, but what does everyone think?

An AirBnB in my friend’s block was essentially turned into a knocking shop with punters being buzzed into the block at all times of the day and night.

I’d report them to try and ensure my building didn’t become a brothel.

If the air bnb guests aren’t bothering you I wouldn’t do anything

If you feel it is vindictive to report someone then how would you feel if the owners were equally vindictive and sold or rented to someone who would cause you trouble.

A lot of the time with Landlords, they were quite happy renting their place but subsequent governments have tinkered and stuck their noses where it was not needed and made the whole btl situation grossly unfair to them and making their property an AIRBNB means they might not get as much as they were getting by letting to someone on a longish contract
It might not be rented every single week. However it does mean they don’t have the hassle of someone not paying their rent and not being able to remove them immediately after their stay. They can also put their mortgage interest against tax

He is the only person who lives permanently in his entire town?

🤣🤣🤣

Definitely report.

• others could start doing the same
• at some point you’ll get annoying/disruptive/messy people staying there
• it could impact your insurance
• it’s destroying local communities

I would have reported it the minute I had the evidence.

If it bothers you then report it. I would do the same just to prevent this happening in the building, rather than a loose attempt at morally avenging a situation that had nothing to with me.

I'm sure they're aware that they aren't supposed to be doing it and therefore may at some point be informed on so can't be that frightened of the prospect of being asked to stop. In real terms they would have money coming in regardless, as they could simply place a new permanent tenant in situ once the breach letter eventually turns up, or sell and buy a property that they can let if they prefer. I doubt they are daft enough to imagine they would have got away with it forever.

I would report. It's banned in part because Airbnb guests increase wear and tear on the common areas (which goes on my service charge) so why would I turn a blind eye? They will never know it was you.

I'd report it defintely! It goes against the homeowner's rules in the contract laid down by your leaseholder and IF there should be any issues or damage in a communal area caused by the airbnb guests it wouldn't be covered by the insurance you pay for as part of your communal fees! Some folk are just too damn greedy! I own a few rental properties and like to think I look after my tenants which is why they stay so long -YES I could ask them to leave, redecorate etc and charge and arm and a leg for airbnb but I don't want to!
I value my tenants and their loyalty to me plus these properties are THEIR homes!

I don’t think the poster literally means a party town. I think they are using the phrase ‘party town’ to describe the block the person lives in.

This 100%
Also they are in breach of lease why is anyone defending that. They have a legally binding document they have agreed to so please lets not try to say they are resonable to ignore this.

Their wear and tear of common areas will be higher than people living therre all the time. Also they are putting other tenants at risk with more strablngers accessing the flats. Is there a code for the front door for example? If so how many people knows this now due to the air bnb

If you're in Scotland, they are legally required to have a short term let license from the local authority. This can be found on their website as there will be a short term let register. If they dont have one they can get in shit as it ensures compliance with things like wired and connected smoke and co2 detectors, electrical wiring etc.

I think you absolutely should report it to the landlord regardless. Who wants a bunch of strangers in and out their building who may be being careless in the flat.

It is not vindictive.

It follows the terms of the lease on the flats. Owners have all purchased under the terms of the lease (and likely would not have purchased if the terms were ‘and Airbnb allowed’).

Insurance is invalidated when the terms of a lease are broken so no payout if anything goes wrong. Airbnb’s insurance on the lettings is also invalidated as the lettings are without the permission of the leaseholder.

Not vindictive and not anything to do with government. This is to do with living as part of a community, following agreed guidance so that we can all live safely and with security.

Oh hell yeah, I would have reported it already. AirBnB hosts will always make themselves out to be purer of heart and more badly persecuted than the lord Jesus, but nine times out of ten they're just grasping bastards who don't give a shit about the effect they're having on neighbouring property or things like rules and tax. Get 'em shopped.

Airbnb started out sweet but it destroys communities. I would report it it’s a flat for a family.

@FairKoala

They can also put their mortgage interest against tax

Not any more. The rules are now the same for holiday lets as they are for residential lets. There are no longer any special rules for holiday lets.

I would. It's against the rules. Also I hate Airbnb. It's so bad for local communities and businesses.

Unfortunately areas with lots of tourist rentals do turn into.party towns. What happens in one block or street is usually repeated in the whole área. Try looking for a long term rental in parts of Cornwall or other regioms with second homes

Have you decided what to do or actually done anything OP ?

it looks as though a huge majority say that I should report it, offering many good angles that I hadn't thought of. The potential brothel was my absolute favourite! Thanks to everyone for helping me think this through at a larger level. I'll contact the managers and ask innocently if the rules have been changed about airbnb in the block and go from there.

You should definitely as it is likely that your buildings insurance would not be valid if the guest set fire to the place.

Absolutely report

I think you need to temper your expectations somewhat. Management companies aren’t the council etc. they don’t have any inherent power and often, no money either.

if a polite letter doesn’t stop them renting via Airbnb and you could get to the point where court action is the only option- which is hugely expensive. I have seen this a handful of times in my career in property management- by rich managing agents I should add- and it always gets well out of hand so they avoid it (ie I once saw £200k legal fees to make someone to remove an avery from their garden)

It will be valid

Yes. They’ve had calm guests for now, who knows what way this could go, it might turn into a nightmare.