MPs and local councils around the country are calling for a crackdown on short-term lettings, leaving popular sites like Airbnb in a tight spot. Considering the housing market already out of control across much of the UK, concerns have been raised regarding the sustainability of short-term lets, with detractors believing these rentals may be damaging local communities. 

MPs have warned that without tighter regulations, properties used only for short-term rentals may drive up house prices in tourist hotspots, leaving many local residents struggling to find suitable accommodation. This influx of temporary residents could cause significant economic and societal issues, ranging from a reduction in the workforce to the death of small villages. 

Additionally, researchers in the US believe there to be a correlation between the number of Airbnb rentals in any given location and a spike in violent crime rates. Teams concluded that without the presence of a permanent community, visitors are less likely to police themselves. With this in mind, should the council call for a crackdown on short-term lets in Glastonbury? 

A booming market 

Between 2015 and 2020, the number of Airbnb listings in the UK rose by almost 200,000, effectively removing these properties from an already stretched housing market. Alongside London, the UK's rural and coastal tourist hotspots saw the largest influx of short-term lets, with areas like Kent and Dorset seeing a 40% rise in Airbnb listings between 2019 and 2023. 

 Much like these areas, the number of short-term rentals in Glastonbury has been increasing for a number of years, with the occasion of Glastonbury Festival only exacerbating the issue. During 2022's festival, the average price of an Airbnb listing rose by over 220%. This may be great news for homeowners with multiple properties, but difficult to stomach for local renters. 

 This illustrates the bulk of the problem with short-term rentals, with many communities, MPs and local councils believing a lack of regulation is contributing to a widening wealth gap. If a homeowner or housing developer can make anywhere from 100% to 200% more in profit by running a short-term rental business, it's unlikely that traditional tenants will see any change. 

Security concerns  

Pricing local residents out of their home communities isn't the only pressing concern when it comes to short-term rentals. As previously mentioned, studies have suggested there may be a link between greater numbers of Airbnbs and higher violent crime rates, but detractors say antisocial behaviour, noise complaints and waste disposal are all equally concerning issues. 

 Some residents may feel the need to invest in improved physical security systems just to feel safe in their communities, while others may be impacted in a professional manner, with noisy parties and nightlife tourists turning once quiet streets into sleep-disrupting public concourses. 

What can be done? 

The general consensus seems to be that more regulations applied to the short-term rental industry will be beneficial for both landlords and local residents. Much like hotels and bed and breakfast businesses, short-term lets can provide value to small communities. However, currently short-term rental businesses are not required to comply with the same regulations. 

Additionally, landlords can pivot towards short-term lets without needing to adjust properties in the same way that a bed and breakfast would, contributing to a faster decline in available lets for prospective long-term tenants. It's for these reasons that proposals have been made to restrict the number of days a property can be let as a short-term rental to 90 days a year. 

Another popular idea is to introduce "control zones" in tourist hotspots, areas in which those wishing to host a short-term rental in a property that is not the owner's primary residence will be required to apply for planning permission. In theory, this could help to regulate the growth of Airbnb properties by enabling councils to review applications relative to local communities.  

Should the council call for a crackdown on short term lets in Glastonbury?  

In short, more regulation within the short-term rental industry will help to address many of the pressing concerns voiced by affected communities, meaning local councils should consider calling for a crackdown on these businesses. For what it's worth, Airbnb claims it supports greater regulation, stating that they want their platform to be "part of the solution" to the UK's housing crisis. Perhaps it's time for local councils to find out whether this statement is true.