A writer has lifted the lid on what it is really like for a homeowner to live next door to an Airbnb, one of the most popular short-term accommodation providers for holiday-makers looking for a 'home away from home.' Holiday-makers may have the time of their lives, but Plymouth Live's, Katie Oborn said Airbnb guests staying in a residential neighbourhood may not necessarily be considerate tenants.
Katie said: "To clarify, I’m not referring to shepherd-hut style lettings, such as when someone with land sets up a novelty caravan, yurt or similar on their grounds, or if someone lets their spare room to guests via Airbnb. I’m concerned with entire flats or houses in residential areas being bought up as investment opportunities and let out all-year round through Airbnb or newer, similar American site Vrbo.com, standing for Vacation Rentals by Owner. Communities are affected by rows of these holiday let-style properties clogging up neighbourhoods and causing over tourism in some areas.
"Rental costs and house prices soar in areas where second homes are purchased as demand pushes up market value. Cornwall is experiencing unmanageable housing issues largely due to the demand for second homes, many made homeless as landlords cash in on this more lucrative form of letting.
"The reality is though, there are not enough houses for people. Allowing the mass purchase of homes in residential areas to be operated as Airbnb short-lets must be a sufficient factor generating that shortage.
"Back in early 2019, pre-pandemic, the house next door to our home in a waterside location in Plymouth was purchased as a Airbnb venture. That was the beginning of two years with an Airbnb next door.
"The property is no longer, thankfully, an Airbnb. It changed hands again early in 2022 and a permanent resident moved in, someone who actually lives there and is part of the community.
"At the time the home was purchased as an Airbnb, the owners or 'hosts' as they're generally referred to, knocked on the door to tell us about their plan. Describing it to be their holiday home but to also be advertised as an Airbnb let.
"Needless to say, my heart sunk, however, I assumed perhaps it would just be the odd short-let and not as daunting as it sounded. But the house was booked up most weeks and all-year round.
"Unless the owners who lived in the south east, were staying for their occasional holiday, it was a constant stream of Airbnb bookings.
"One occasion, when a group of lads stayed, were noisy into the early houses, talking loudly and banging about. Another time, several guys were sat out the front of the property drinking in the early hours of the morning.
"Needless to say this disturbed us and other residents on our street. Often other visitors would join guests staying and the lounge, with adjoining wall to our lounge, would become very noisy.
"Even turning the TV up didn't drown out loud guests. Sometimes we'd resort to banging on the walls.
"If we alerted the host, he'd just say that the noise wasn't over the legal limit - apparently he had microphones inside the property to measure noise limits. At the beginning I communicated complaints directly to the hosts but as issues built up, so did hostility, and eventually the hosts chose to ignore or become agitated with any grievances.
"One occasion when a single man stayed, he came back at around 5am with a woman - she was shouting out the front as we peered down from the upstairs window. A calm request for them to quieten down ended up with the woman hurling offensive abuse and swearing at us.
"That whole experience was stressful and infuriating as there's not a lot you can do. Normally, problem neighbours that cause disturbances can be reported to the council. But with Airbnb lets, because there are so many different people coming and going - a changeover every few days - it's a different situation because the issues are not ongoing with the same residents.
"As well as a steady stream of guests, cleaners were in and out constantly, meaning sometimes every three days or so there'd be a professional cleaner in there hoovering and banging cupboards. Late check-ins were also a problem.
"The hosts had 10pm advertised as the latest check-in on their Airbnb page. Honestly, I think 10pm is too late anyway in a residential area as there would be an hour or two after check-in when sounds of doors, wardrobes and cupboards banging shut could be heard.
"The reality though was that guests checked in much later at times, midnight, 1am, 2am. Generally it's a very quiet street and late check-ins drove us mad at times.
"One family arrived in summer 2021 after midnight who made so much noise, we could hear suitcases banging through the front door, clunking up the stairs, car doors slamming. I was fuming to be woken up - again - by at this point a holiday let which had been next door for nearly two years.
"It felt like things would never change. I decided on this occasion to complain via Airbnb. When you message Airbnb, the reply comes from a representative based in America.
"This was the reply: "It was unfortunate that you were disturbed. We never want that to happen.
"These particular guests had travel delays and it was never their intention to arrive as late as they did. Arriving at such a late hour to an unknown place with a small child is bound to cause a few suitcases to knock on the entrance area."
"It was similar whenever I brought other issues to the attention of Airbnb who were generally unhelpful. Often rubbish was left outside the property on days when it shouldn't be, which causes issues with gulls swooping in and piercing bin bags.
"It was a constant headache dealing with small issues that became a big deal day-to-day. When the pandemic hit, followed by lockdown in March 2020, one good thing that came out of it was the peace and quiet it brought as this mini 'hotel' next-door was not allowed to operate.
"Then, in spring and summer 2021, when lockdown was lifted the bookings stacked up and the Airbnb was in high demand. People seemed even more selfish post-pandemic, some guests started to pull up in residents' parking, happy to take the chance of getting a ticket to be right outside of the holiday-home.
"Occasional confrontation on parking caused some nasty tensions; the feeling was that relaxing at home was difficult. There was always the dread of who would check in next; would they be loud and inconsiderate like so many had been?
"From my experience a holiday let next door affects normal day-to-day living as a resident in that community.
"I appreciate that Airbnb is convenient, with families and larger groups able to book an entire property and 'live' in that residence for the duration of their stay. But something needs to change before Airbnb gobbles up more communities.
"It seems completely unfair that homes in seaside locations are now viewed as investment assets. Some estate agents advertise these dwelling houses as 'an ideal property for a holiday rental'.
"When the Airbnb house next door went up for sale the ad read: "This property has been successfully holiday let over recent years but would be a perfect 'first-time buy'." One major building society recently announced it would no longer lend to people purchasing a second home, so maybe the tide is changing?
"Perhaps, one day soon, seaside communities can become 'real neighbourhoods' once more. Is it really too much to ask that homes for local people living in these communities must come first?"
An Airbnb spokesperson said: “We are committed to being good partners to neighbours, and took action with the Host at the time to help resolve the concerns reported to us. Our industry-leading dedicated 24/7 hotline for neighbours means anyone can contact us about a concern with a local listing at any time.
"We investigate and act on the reports received, up to removing Hosts and guests from Airbnb. The overwhelming majority of our community are respectful neighbours and travellers, and isolated issues are rare.”
