Airbnb backs Sadiq Khan calling for short-term lets register

Airbnb is backing the Mayor of London’s call for a clear, simple and host-friendly registration system to support the current 90 night limit in London and help ensure that rules are applied equally to all hosts, regardless of which platform they use.

Sadiq Khan has requested Government introduces a registration system for anyone wishing to rent out a property for less than 90 days in a calendar year in London to help protect the capital’s housing for long-term residents.

In a letter to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government James Brokenshire, co-signed by Airbnb and Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, and Kensington & Chelsea councils, the Mayor outlined his support for short-term lets, which offer additional accommodation for visitors to the capital and enable Londoners to meet new people and earn some extra money.

Khan said: “Short-term lets are a benefit to visitors to London, and to Londoners themselves who want to earn a little extra money. But these benefits must be balanced with the need to protect long-term rented housing, and to make sure neighbours aren’t impacted by a high turnover of visitors. It is now time for the Government to work with us to develop a registration system of short-term lets, so local councils can make sure we get this balance right.”

Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, said; “I strongly welcome the Mayor’s initiative, coming on the day I am setting up an All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Short Let sector, to look at how we balance the competing interests involved. The accommodation ‘sharing economy’ brings many benefits but the law is open to abuse, leaving councils unable to enforce effectively and struggling to manage the impact of short lets on residential communities. Knowing who is actually letting out their properties helps get the balance right.”

Hadi Moussa, Airbnb Country Manager UK and Northern Europe, said: “Airbnb is built on the principle of making communities stronger and we are proud to lead our industry on working with policymakers to secure smart rules that work for everyone. A clear and simple registration system that applies to hosts on all platforms is good news for hosts and will help authorities get the information they need to regulate our industry effectively. We want to continue working together with leaders in the UK and across the world to ensure that the sustainable growth of home sharing is good news for everyone.”

An Airbnb press release said:”The UK has been a world leader in regulating the sharing economy and London is a top destination for guests from across the world. From July 2017 to July 2018, more than 2 million guests have stayed at listings on Airbnb in the capital, generating £1.3 billion for the economy and encouraging visitors to explore and stay in all parts of the city”

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