We have a tenant on an assured short term let who we have recently discovered is using AirBnb and other similar sites to let out one of the rooms. This is against the terms of the tenancy agreement and also the terms of our lease on the flat itself.
We have already started the section 21 repossession process, but is there anything I should be doing to have the AirBnb (and other) listings removed permenantly. I asked the tenant to remove the AirBnb listing, which they did, but quickly created a new listing. I have asked them to remove all listings from all sites, but this is being ignored so far.
contact Airbnb. From my experience, they are very proactive at preventing users abusing their system like this. Be prepared to prove your identity, ownership of property and the validity of the tenancy agreement and its terms.
Iâve had this where someone else listed my properties on Airb&b and BDC as he was managing them. When he started scamming me - I did everything in my power to prove I was the rightful owner, title deeds etc to get his listings removed and mine listed.. I could never get them removed. Eventually BDC gave Me this complex method to take 3 20 sec videos of street name, address and walking in to the property.. probably because they had picked up my duplicated listing as rightful owner.
I am a Superhost and Guest Fave on another property where I get excellent service but for the above situation never got it resolved. I had to use a fake address i.e. 46 but 46a to put up my own listings but in this case the âManagerâ no longer had access to my properties. Is the tenant living with the airbb guests? in my case I changed both locks. Second option - a few bad reviews would kill his/ her listing.. not only does your listing get lower exposure but people wont rent it - best thing to do would be to get a mate or 3 to book 1 night. Also there are lots of FB groups.. put the link on the group, explain the situation, get people to click the links, the more clicks and no bookings also lowers the visability. If the tenant cant sublet - will they pay the rent? If your rental income stops you are in a worse position could be best to wait for eviction - hope you are using Mark Dawson -
Here is some proof
âI am still waiting for the Verification to be escalated to your Head of Legal or your Head of Compliance. I have sent you the title deeds for my listing and the proof that I am the Director and Owner of the company which owns the Stylish Town Centre Property and the 5 bed Town Centre Guest House Middlesbrough - please confirm that this is sufficient and the Verification process is complete and remove the Verification message from my listing.â this was 6 months after he stopped managing it.. 6 months of complaining.
If you can, leave bad reviews on AirBnB and anywhere else you can. See when he has bookings and go for a chat with his guests. Make life difficult, but stay within (or preferably right on the limit of) whatâs legal.
You could also try speaking and then writing to the tenant explaining it is a breach of the tenancy agreement and that you wish them to leave. You âmightâ be able to agree a leaving date by mutual consent which saves them having the stress of being evicted which will make it harder for them to rent in future and saves you the cost and risk they try to fight it. You can also explain that they will lose their deposit in full if you have to evict them and will be out of pocket (you will have costs from re letting and from the void period) so it is in both your interests to reach an agreement.
At same time gather evidence of breach tell insurers etc. Tell freeholder /management company of property too if applicable.
Be careful about things like changing the locks- this could be interpreted as unlawful eviction. OR or your insurerâs legal advice should be able to advise you on what you can do to evict legally.
