STAG AND HEN DOS, 24/7 PARTYING AND ‘BAD BEHAVIOUR’ – SALFORD’S AIRBNB NIGHTMARE

Salford is becoming blighted by a ‘scourge of Airbnb rentals’ according to two of the city’s councillors.

Residents are being subjected to all-night parties and rowdy stag and hen gatherings taking advantage of their close proximity to the Manchester club scene, a council meeting heard.

The issue came up as members of the city’s planning and transportation regulator panel were approving a part five and part six-storey block of 100 residential apartments on Peru Street in the Blackfriars and Trinity ward in line with the Crescent Masterplan. The applicant is the English Cities Fund (ECF).

Ward Councillor Jane Hamilton complained that the area was ‘already inundated’ with Airbnb rentals making the lives of people living in the area ‘a misery’.

Welcoming the 100 per cent affordable development, she said:

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“This is fantastic for our area. 

“We have issues with Airbnb rentals. We are inundated with them.”

 

Her colleague, Councillor John Warmisham, added:

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“It’s great to see the Crescent Masterplan starting – it’s been a long time coming. 

“The 100pc affordable housing [element] is super for that area. But Airbnbs are becoming a major issue in this community. They are a scourge on this city – an absolute nightmare.”

Speaking after the meeting Coun Hamilton reiterated her comments. “The problem is, it’s party time for a lot of these people who rent Airbnbs.

“It’s great that we have a lot of visitors, but when you’re talking about stag and hen dos, it’s not on. 

“People don’t treat these rentals like their own homes and we get a lot of issues with bad behaviour where families are living.”

 

Councillor Warmisham said the Local Government Association – which represents local councils in England and Wales – was ‘working on the issue’ with a view to legislation.

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“The problem is that some people buy these properties as an investment and during times like when Parklife is on, there can 24/7 partying.

“Salford is very close to the vibrant nightlife of Manchester, which is great, but can also have a downside to people living in the area.”

 

A spokesperson for Airbnb told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

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“Parties are banned on Airbnb, and we have seen a 75 per cent drop in the number of party reports in the UK since we introduced the ban in 2020.

“Our 24/7 hotline allows neighbours to contact us directly with any concerns which we will investigate. We are committed to being good partners and have long supported the introduction of a national short-term lets register to give authorities better visibility of activity in their area.”

 

They also said that Airbnb is often used as ‘a catch all term’ to describe a number of different types of short-term letting activity, and has previously been incorrectly linked  to issues involving other platforms. 

They said they take concerns from neighbours seriously, who can contact the company via its Neighbourhood Support Line to report urgent concerns.

“We investigate all reports received, and take appropriate action where necessary,” they added.