Airbnb and social housing

OTA = Online Travel Agency, which means those sites that sell the booking and take the payment for you.
Giraffe
Posts: 410
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:10 am
Location: Cornwall, England

Airbnb and social housing

Post by Giraffe »

Anyone else listen to Radio 4 "You and Yours" at lunchtime today?

A social housing organisation had let a number of flats in a Camden block to a business organisation, who in turn were letting them on Airbnb. A tenant in the block of flats complained. At first she was told that this was a business arrangement and that it made money for the social housing organisation. She was told that similar arrangements were in place in other social housing organisations.

When BBC reporters investigated the arrangement was terminated.

I'm sure Airbnb were unaware of the background, but it shows the widening holiday competition we are in, and the lengths (and depths) to which some people will go.
The best things in life are free
Sam V
Posts: 1707
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:45 pm
Location: Villa in Gale, Algarve, Portugal. At home in Fetcham, Surrey, UK
Contact:

Post by Sam V »

Didn't hear it, no, but reading this my initial reaction is WTF?! I thought there was a massive shortage in social housing so this (usually charity) organisation is effectively renting them out privately rather than using them for purpose? I wonder how many could be used to house those poor people from Grenfell Tower?
TA lurkers walk among us; the LMH Walking Dead

dont mess in the affairs of cats for they are subtle and will p on your computer.

www.algarvevillatrinity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/villatrinity
www.gardenerscottage.promotemyplace.com
User avatar
CSE
Posts: 4414
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:34 pm
Location: Galicia

Post by CSE »

No never heard it. But this thing smacks of so many things that are basically wrong in today's society.
A free market is great and should fuel the economy. But no regulations or morals, this sort of thing will happen more and more.
Never try to out-stubborn your guests.
Giraffe
Posts: 410
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:10 am
Location: Cornwall, England

Post by Giraffe »

Totally agree. Social housing associations get tax breaks and land at below market price. They should not be used to line the pockets of individuals, they are there for those who need social housing.

My son has to walk past the burnt out shell of Grenfell Tower on his way to work. Each time he says it is heartbreaking.
The best things in life are free
petitbois
Posts: 347
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:54 am

Post by petitbois »

I read a report that several flats in Grenfell Tower were being sublet via airbnb which explains the fact that they will never know exactly how many lost their lives in the fire. Camden is known to be an area with a high number of sublet flats on airbnb - some tenants can earn up to 25,000/yr from doing this which more than covers their rent - another report on You & Yours approx 6months ago
Giraffe
Posts: 410
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:10 am
Location: Cornwall, England

Post by Giraffe »

casasantoestevo wrote: A free market is great and should fuel the economy. But no regulations or morals, this sort of thing will happen more and more.
Airbnb have unwittingly unleashed a platform for these immoral people to make money. Camden Council now say they have a 90 day limit per year on short term lets on any property unless their permission has been granted. But no regulation is any good unless it can be independently policed. And Airbnb have taken on the task of policing this via their booking system :?:
The best things in life are free
User avatar
CSE
Posts: 4414
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:34 pm
Location: Galicia

Post by CSE »

Giraffe wrote:
Airbnb have unwittingly unleashed a platform for these immoral people to make money. Camden Council now say they have a 90 day limit per year on short term lets on any property unless their permission has been granted. But no regulation is any good unless it can be independently policed. And Airbnb have taken on the task of policing this via their booking system :?:
Yes you have hit the nail on the head. I wonder how this will pan out?
It would seem that any controlling body (ie councils) can make their rules up as to how long a short term rental can be let out. Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona and many more have taken some action.It is said this is action taken after pressure from the hotel sector. I would like to think it is someone listening to the residents. In today's world of false facts being spread around I cannot form a real opinion on that.
It is the commercialisation of such a platform that has made it go this way. There are some very greedy people. They are in both the backers of ABnB and the unscrupulous listings ( some are not even property owners) that abuse the platform, by sub-letting. ABnB do not care so much, they still make a load of money.
Never try to out-stubborn your guests.
Post Reply