A homeowner has taken to Mumsnet to express fury after claiming a neighbour converted their flat into an Airbnb, disrupting the sense of community in their block. The post on the Am I Being Unreasonable? forum quickly attracted dozens of responses, highlighting tensions over short-term holiday lets in residential areas.
What happened
The disgruntled resident explained that the flat opposite theirs in a secure block had recently started being used as an Airbnb. They wrote: 'We live in a block of flats with a secure entrance, but now there's a constant stream of strangers coming and going.' While the guests had not been disruptive, the poster accused the owners of forcing out a 'lovely woman' who previously lived there, causing her 'financial and other stress' so the owners could 'make way more money than with a regular tenancy.'
Mumsnet users weigh in
The poster asked whether they should report the flat to the management company, admitting their motives might be 'vengeful.' One user advised against it, saying: 'No, don’t. I expect the old tenant has found somewhere new, so this would just be a vindictive move. Airbnb is not a guaranteed income so your presumption that they will make more money is completely wrong.' Another countered: 'I would. Once one person is seen to be getting away with ignoring the rules, it encourages others.' Some commenters suggested checking the lease, with one noting: 'We own a seaside flat and we are allowed to rent ours out Airbnb style but none of the other flats in the block are. We specifically had that put in our lease when we bought it.'
Wider concerns over short-term lets
The debate reflects growing unease about short-term holiday rentals in residential areas. According to Airbnb, there were more than 100,000 active listings in the UK in 2024. Campaigners and residents have raised concerns over noise, security, and the impact on local housing availability. Property experts say whether action can be taken often depends on the property's lease or local planning rules. Many residential leases prohibit short-term holiday lets, meaning owners advertising on platforms like Airbnb could be in breach of their lease, though each case depends on the wording of the agreement.
