March 5th 2024.
Solera Cheng, a 39-year-old woman from Bangkok, made the bold decision to move to London in November of last year. However, as she began her search for a place to live, she found herself overwhelmed by the endless options on SpareRoom. Having only visited the city for five days in the past, she had no idea where to begin looking for a suitable home. After a few unpleasant experiences with landlords, she decided to stay in an Airbnb until she could get a better sense of the city.
"It was a real challenge to move during the winter because many people don't rent out their apartments," Solera shared with The Agency. "I had put a deposit down for a place in Hammersmith, but unfortunately, the landlord backed out just two days before I was supposed to move in." She then went to view a place in Fulham, but was put off by the landlord's aggressive haggling tactics. "He made me cry," Solera recalls, "and it made me realize that if this is how he treated me before I even moved in, it would have been a terrible living situation."
Feeling discouraged, Solera decided to try out Airbnb instead. She stayed in two different properties, one near Earl's Court station and the other in Hammersmith, where she remained for over a month. "The host was kind enough to let me stay through Christmas when I was practically homeless," Solera shares, adding that they are still friends to this day. She then stayed in a property in Marylebone, but was disappointed with the host and the lack of heating in the apartment. Finally, she found a short-term rental in South Kensington, right across from the Natural History Museum, and ended up signing a lease for a flat in the same area.
In total, Solera relied on Airbnb for temporary accommodation from November 26, 2023 until January 10 of this year, and is now happily settled in her dream apartment. This option provided her with much-needed peace of mind during a hectic move to a new city and country. However, new regulations set to be implemented by the UK Government could potentially change everything, as hosts will need planning permission if they want to rent out their property for more than 90 days per year. According to Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove, this policy aims to balance affordable housing for locals with the flourishing visitor economy.
While renting an Airbnb may not be a long-term solution, it is a valuable option for people moving to cities like London, who may struggle to find a place to live otherwise. It can also be a lifeline for current tenants who are forced to leave their rental agreement early, with no family in the area to stay with and a job to get to. However, there are also downsides to short-term rental platforms, as they have significantly impacted the housing market and made it difficult for locals to afford homes in their own communities. For instance, in Cornwall, short-term lets have been blamed for exacerbating the housing crisis.
Despite these challenges, short-term rentals still have a place, as they offer flexibility and affordability for people like Hannah Dorling, a 38-year-old cruise travel expert. When she and her family struggled to find a place to rent in London due to high costs, they turned to Airbnb and found temporary accommodation in the picturesque neighborhood of Notting Hill. "We found places with flexible rental times that didn't break the bank," Hannah reflects. "The hosts genuinely cared about making us feel at home." Though living out of bags with young children was challenging, Hannah appreciated the opportunity to sample different areas before committing to a long-term rental contract. "The hosts were also able to give us tips on the local area, which was really helpful when we eventually found a permanent home," she adds.
For Houna Bech, a 26-year-old woman, renting an Airbnb also helped her cut costs and allowed her to test out different areas before committing to a long-term tenancy. "Having all the utilities and furniture included meant lower costs compared to empty flats," she explains. "The short-term agreements also let me test out areas before deciding where to plant roots." With the review system on Airbnb, she was able to vet properties before booking, something that is not always possible with traditional landlords. "Reviews from past guests assured me that I would find well-kept places," Houna shares. "Through lovely decor, unique spaces, and a sense of community, these initial short-term stays made my transition to London much easier."
Overall, while there are some downsides to short-term rentals, they can be a valuable option for those looking to move to a new city or for current tenants in need of temporary accommodation. As Hannah puts it, "Keep an open mind - you might just find a cozy temporary home."
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