A major plan is being put forward to tackle issues around so-called 'party flats' being rented out in Liverpool.
Accommodation sharing websites like Airbnb are used widely around the city and can provide increased choice for visitors looking for a short stay. But in certain parts of Liverpool there are issues being created.
So-called 'party lets' see property owners renting out flats for those looking to come to the city for big nights out. Councillors in affected areas say there is an issue with a lack of clear legislation at present to control and regulate what takes place with these rentals.
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Councillors representing the city centre, Anfield and Greenbank - where party-lets have become an increasing problem - have now put forward a motion to raise awareness of this issue and suggest new powers for the council when it comes to the management of the situation going forward.
The motion, from Cllrs Nick Small, Christine Banks, Laura Robertson-Collins, James Roberts, Lena Simic and Billy Marratt, will be put to the council's Strategic Development and Housing Committee when it meets on Thursday (September 1). The motion calls for the development of a Tourist Accommodation Registration Scheme in England, a move currently being consulted on by government.
The motion states: "This select committee notes the opportunities to the visitor economy from a sharing economy and the increase in choice for visitors, but believes, based on local evidence in Liverpool, particularly in the City Centre, Anfield and Greenbank areas, that there needs to be stronger and better regulation in force to manage the challenges of negative impacts of this in communities with high concentrations of Airbnb-style accommodation.
"This includes a lack of data available for councils and other agencies to enforce regulations around environmental health, nuisance and fire safety, a lack of awareness of existing regulations amongst operators and things like mortgage and tenancy agreements and negative community impacts like anti-social behaviour, like the renting of properties as party flats. o Negative impact of the local housing market with family homes changed to short-terms lets and people being denied access to affordable housing."
The motion asks the committee to note the lack of legislation around short-term lets in England outside London. It adds: "In Scotland, for example, councils can introduce short-term let control areas, which Edinburgh has just done. This means that any change of use of a dwelling to a short-term let will require planning permission.
"Short-term lets in Scotland will, by next year, be covered by a licensing scheme to ensure that local councils know what’s happening in their area and can tackle issues more effectively. In Portugal, councils have implemented containment areas which restrict the number of short-term lets in areas with high concentrations."
Cllr Nick Small said: "Sharing economy platforms like Airbnb have increased choice for visitors which is great, but they have some negative challenges in many communities like the City Centre, Anfield and Greenbank and elsewhere where there are high concentrations of short-term lets. There does need to be stronger and better regulation to manage this. We hope that Liverpool City Council will make a submission into this consultation with some of the evidence in Liverpool and call for the strongest possible powers to manage short-term lets."
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