I have called for a registration system for short term, Air BnB style lets. The call in parliament last week follows complaints raised with me about the spiralling use of short-term lets in Deal. Residents in Deal and Kingsdown have raised with me concerns about the over-use of short -term AirBNB style lettings locally. In Parliament concerns were expressed about tax and council tax avoidance, anti-social behaviour and refuse associated with these types of lettings. In many cases, these type of short lets work fine for landlords and holidaymakers, but in a minority of cases they cause misery. Some holiday cottage owners have also complained to me that there isn’t a level playing field on the standards and processes that they have to meet in order to let out their properties.
A register of these sort of lettings would help ensure that property owners are paying the right council or small business tax and crack down on anti-social behaviour. It would also help us to plan properly for how much holiday and tourist accommodation is needed. While there are a number of hotels in Dover and being planned for Dover, it might, for example, be the case that there is a greater opportunity for extra tourism and hospitality in and around Deal than is currently being met. There is so much going for our beautiful heritage coast. Good quality and well-run holiday accommodation is an important part of supporting the tourism, pubs, High Street and restaurant trade in Deal and coastal villages.
Notes:
In Parliament I said:
“The hon. Gentleman mentions Airbnb. In the town of Deal, which I represent, there is a particular problem of Airbnbs that are not registered. Does he agree that having a registration system for Airbnbs would be a sensible move to protect coastal communities and tourism in areas such as mine?”
Read the debate here: Sharing Economy: Short-term Letting – Hansard – UK Parliament