The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has backed a call from MPs to clampdown on Airbnb landlords that “circumvent” safety and tax regulations.
In a letter to London mayor Sadiq Khan, chair of Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, MP Ian Wright, said many Airbnb owners appear to be letting properties out for more than the maximum 90 days a year.
He also states organisations such as the BHA have expressed concern that Airbnb enables landlords to “circumvent tax, food, health and fire safety regulations thereby securing an unfair competitive advantage over other providers of accommodation”.
Sharing economy providers such as Airbnb and Uber have come under-fire from buyers over duty of care and data issue.
However, the companies have moved to gain more trust from the industry and grow the corporate travel side of the business - In June, Airbnb introduced a new tool that allows buyers to book rooms for their travellers as well as controlling payment and itinerary details.
BHA CEO Ufi Ibrahim said she welcomes the letter as it highlights the many concerns over home-sharing platforms.
“As well as enabling rogue landlords, the weight of the evidence suggests that Airbnb is contributing to the housing shortage in London and we join Mr Wright in calling on the Mayor to take action.
“Other leading global cities have already recognised the scale of this problem. New York, San Francisco, Berlin, Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona are all now taking action to ensure the proper regulation of this new part of the economy and that the economic benefits are not outweighed by social dislocation and other negative impacts.”
Sign up to BBT’s twice-weekly newsletter