A Yorkshire council has accused landlords of evicting tenants to switch to holiday lets.
A report by Scarborough Council found the number of private rental properties in the centre of the town had fallen from an average of 25 homes being available at any one time in 2017 to six in 2022. The number of holiday lets rose dramatically over the same period.
The report said there were clear “examples of private landlords evicting tenants in order to convert into Airbnb and holiday lets.”
A private member’s bill brought last week by Rachael Maskell, the York Central Labour MP, aimed to implement a licence to turn domestic properties into short-term and holiday-let accommodation, give local authorities the power to issue fines and to remove licences, and seek to introduce bans on such properties in certain areas.
Last month, the government launched a consultation into how to balance the need for tourist accommodation with homes for locals to live in. The deadline for responses is 21 September.
Councils are coming up with their own solutions. North Yorkshire County Council is considering proposals to introduce a 100% premium for council tax bills on second homes, while new rules come into force next year in Wales requiring second homeowners to pay 300% council tax.
