Council tells landlords how to run “considerate AirBnbs and holiday lets”

A council has launched a best practice charter for operating “considerate holiday lets” in partnership with a property industry trade body.

The UK Short Term Accommodation Association and North Devon council’s 10 point charter will, they claim, encourage “positive contributions to the economies and communities of the district and help prevent any antisocial or illegal activities associated with holiday lets.”

A statement from the council describes the charter - which is almost 2,400 words long - as “a set of guiding principles for property owners, managing agents or hosts, made up of 10 practices which they should adhere to.” 

It includes the requirements to provide a clear code of conduct for guests including mindfulness of neighbours, provide neighbours with a 24/7 contact number to use when issues arise, for example, noisy parties, and ensure appropriate arrangements are made for rubbish/recycling storage and collection.

Council spokesperson Nicola Topham says: “We know that most homeowners or operators who undertake short-term letting of properties do so within the law and maintain excellent standards. However, in some cases when poorly managed, it can negatively impact on the quality of life and comfort of neighbouring residents.

“We are committed to tackling these common industry challenges and have worked in partnership with the STAA to produce a best practice charter, which all engaging in this activity have a shared responsibility to uphold.

“We believe this balanced approach will result in a mutually beneficial outcome for local residents and businesses, as well as property owners and visitors, because we have addressed the main issues that affect communities such as poor waste management, excessive noise, reduced sense of community from a high turnover of guests and abuse from guests over issues such as noise and sleep deprivation.

“When properly managed, holiday lets will avoid this impact and also bring positive benefits such as an affordable and comfortable stay for guests, bringing income to local businesses, additional income for homeowners and additional tax income for the Government.”

Merilee Karr, chair of the STAA, says of the charter “I am sure it will go a long way to help those involved in short-term and holiday letting to follow best practices that help them operate responsibly and positively in the communities in which their properties are located. 

“It also shows that the vast majority of our industry that we represent are continually improving how we work in partnership with local councils and communities while creating long-term value for local restaurants and shops and providing much needed jobs in local areas and extra income to property owners during the cost of living crisis … We would love to talk to other councils about replicating this charter across the UK.”

The charter has been designed for freeholders, homeowners or flat leaseholders, tenants who let out their own rental property with the consent of their landlord, owners of second homes, owners of a property who let it out or short stay company, owners of a property who let out for short stays for at least 140 days a year, people who occasionally let out a room in their home, agents acting on behalf of property owners, hosts who use letting websites to find short stay visitors, homeowners who regularly utilise home swaps.

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