A Scots homeowner has been banned from renting out his property on Airbnb after neighbours made complaints about 'rowdy guests'.
Navid Malik's neighbours in the South Side of Glasgow complained that rowdy guests were blaring loud music and making their lives a misery. The landlord was ordered by Glasgow City Council to remove his home from the short-stay booking platform.
But, as reported by Glasgow Live, Malik appealed the decision with the Scottish Government, insisting that the four-bedroom flat - advertised for groups of up to 10 people - was being 'used as a home' and no events were held there. His denial came despite police being called out to the property on five occasions due to loud music, shouting and parties taking place between midnight and 5am. On two occasions there were 13 and 15 people present at the flat.
A neighbour reported a saxophonist playing at one gathering and another group blasting "The Boys Are Back in Town" repeatedly causing the building to "reverberate and shake". Malik's appeal was rejected and a report ruled the property was in fact being used as short-term accommodation and that he had likely been aware that it was being used for parties.
It was stated that Malik had been unclear about how the property was used and contradicted himself in his appeal to have the enforcement overturned. He told how he had 'really enjoyed' sharing his apartment after first listing it during COP26, so decided to continue to advertise it on the site.
Despite saying no events were held at the flat, his Airbnb advertisement had an advisory note stating that teenagers shouldn't book the property for parties. He also said he used the flat as a home but the listing showed the whole flat available for rent. His appeal went on to say that a party had been held without his knowledge while he was away for work and that his neighbours were being 'hysterical and really aggressive'.
Since short-term letting use for the flat started on October 2021, 80 reviews had been left for Malik with the majority being positive.
One guest wrote: "Nav is a friendly and helpful host. He is very responsive and flexible with check in/check out times. Apartment was exactly as described, well equipped with everything you may need, and a very large space - ideal for large groups. Location was fairly easy to find.
"Only downfall was that neighbours were quite abrupt with us staying here (complained about our parking and some noise although was still very early at night around 8:15pm - bearing in mind we did have noise at a reasonable level for neighbours and that time)."
A Scottish Government reporter however concluded that a "material change of the property" had occurred and that "no such permission had been sought or granted". The council's enforcement has been upheld with the local authority previously stating that its use as short-stay accommodation has "the potential to result in conflict with mainstream residential flats in a block through regular influx of temporary residents as well as increased pressure on infrastructure and shared space".
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