The question one area of the UK recently asked their local government is what the impact of all those new Air BnBs, second homes and holiday homes is having on local renters and their response may begin finding an audience in other towns and small communities around the US.
At a recent Isle of Wight full council meeting, Cllr Richard Quigley (Labour) highlighted the current housing emergency in relation to the lack of availability of rental properties and affordable housing on the Island.
Cllr Quigley asked whether the Isle of Wight council should investigate a number of actions in relation to housing. He suggested:
- Using Section 106 powers to ensure all new builds are the principle residence of the purchasers, as has been done in Salcombe rather than second or holiday homes
- Limit the number of air BnBs that offer a whole residence for rent.
- Introduce a private renters’ association and private renters’ charter
- Create a voluntary landlords’ register so private tenants can choose to rent from responsible landlords
- Tougher enforcement against rogue landlords.
The big implication of this, especially in tourist areas, is that rental housing that should be available to year-round residents and workers is being priced too high by short-time rentals by tourists.
The Isle of Wight may be a unique situation but there are probably hundreds of other towns in the UK and the US facing the same problems and in some instances, this idea of part-time renters hiking rentals higher hasn’t even been on the agenda…Yet!
Related Articles:
- A Unique Way To Make Housing Actually Affordable!
- Britain Shares The United States’ Need For Affordable Housing
- DC Rewrites The ADU And Backyard Cottage Handbook
Gary Fleisher is Editor in Chief of Modular Home Source. Email at [email protected]
To begin receiving my twice-weekly newsletter with offsite and modular construction news, views, polls and videos, simply subscribe to it in the form below.
