Airbnb reckons it’s shaking up the UK rental market by letting tenants sublet their homes part-time.
The scheme, set to launch in London, starts with 1,500 flats in three Greystar properties.
Tenants can now host guests through Airbnb, but there’s a catch – landlords also take a slice of the action, pocketing 10–25% of the hosting revenue.
The move aims to tackle housing shortages and rising rents, while giving renters some much-needed extra cash during the cost-of-living crisis.
HIT MAKERS
Already a hit in the US since 2022, the programme limits rental days and keeps homes residential.
Airbnb’s Jesse Stein says it offers renters flexibility without breaking subletting rules. Critics, however, question its impact on housing affordability.
INITIATIVE RISKS
Gary Hall, Head of Lettings at Knight Frank, says: “Without proper verification, this initiative risks landlords being exposed to unauthorised property listings by tenants who do not have approval.
“To prevent potential abuse of the system, more robust security measures will be essential, extending beyond a simple landlord signature.
“While most tenancy agreements prohibit sub-letting, it remains an issue and this initiative may inadvertently highlight it as an opportunity for some to exploit.”.
