One in four Airbnb hosts happy to break Covid restrictions

One in four Airbnb hosts are happy to break Covid restrictions by renting out properties, investigation finds

• Investigation found some landlords were happy to rent out properties for breaks
• 11 from 45 across Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay agreed to an illegal stay
• One landlord said they had a ‘good number of  guests’ staying the last few weeks

A quarter of Airbnb owners are happy to break Covid restrictions with some even urging would-be guests to lie about the reason for their stay, an investigation found.

Under current Government guidelines weekend breaks are illegal, unless for essential reasons such as funerals.

But an investigation found some landlords in Kent were happy to rent out their properties, even if they were told it was for pleasure.

Of the 45 landlords who were contacted, 11 were happy to hand over the keys, with some even offering to reduce prices.

Kent Police tweeted over the weekend to remind people of the national lockdown, after seeing more people out in Whitstable and Kent

Some landlords reported being ‘flooded  with requests’ to stay in Kent, breaking Covid rules

Others admitted they had already allowed people to holiday in the area during lockdown.

The investigation comes after people flocked to parks and beaches over the weekend to enjoy the warmer weather. Police were forced to remind people of the lockdown as large numbers were seen in some Kent towns such as Whitstable.

People looking to rent a property are asked during the booking process whether they are exempt.

But some hosts had no qualms in telling guests to lie about the reason for their stay.

When asked if any neighbours would question someone staying at the property, one landlord said: ‘I don’t think there will be any problems.

‘We have had a good many guests staying over the last six weeks or so, some on business, others just wanting to get away for a night or two.

‘I don’t think there is a case for being found out.’

Holiday accommodation, including the UK’s 223,000 Airbnb listings, must stay closed under the current government guidelines except in specific cases, such as funerals, work or seeing a dying loved one, when people can spend the night.

The government recently announced hotels and bed and breakfasts should be able to unlock their doors on 17 May.

But one law-abiding host said she has been flooded with requests from opportunists trying to book non-essential stays.

She said: ‘It’s shameful they’re breaking the rules.

Whitstable was busier over the weekend as people made the most of the sunny weather (stock image, July 2019)

‘I’ve got parents who live here, and children, and they’re putting them at risk.

‘My Airbnb’s a really good chunk of my income, so I get really upset when I see somebody isn’t closing theirs.’

The investigation was carried out by KentOnline who called 45 landlords across Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, pretending to be a customer.

Whitstable councillor Neil Baker (Con) says many people have continued visiting second homes and renting out Airbnbs in the town ‘as normal’ throughout the pandemic.

He added : ‘Some people aren’t just bending the rules, they’re absolutely smashing them.

Whitstable councillor Neil Baker says people are ‘smashing’ Covid rules by visiting the Kent town

‘The fact they’re constantly in use suggests that people aren’t playing by the rules.

‘There are people across the town who haven’t been travelling 15 minutes away to see their grandchildren, whereas people are travelling from potentially hundreds of miles away to stay in an Airbnb.’

Self-contained accommodation, like self-catering lets and campsites, could reopen on April 12, according to the government’s Covid roadmap.

A spokesman for Canterbury City Council, who are responsible for making sure landlords follow the rules, said: ‘The regulations covering guest accommodation, which includes Airbnb premises, are very clearly set out in the legislation.

‘These premises are allowed to operate but only for very specific reasons, such as for people visiting a support bubble, accommodation during a house move or contractors working away from home.

‘A non-essential holiday is not one of these reasons.’

A spokesperson for Airbnb said: ‘We take these reports very seriously and investigate any concerns brought to our attention.

‘In the past year, we’ve assisted police and local authorities in Kent with their enquiries about non-exempt stays during lockdown and found no link to Airbnb.

‘Our website currently restricts bookings to guests with legal exemptions to travel during the lockdown and the vast majority of Hosts follow the rules.’

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