'We are the only locals left in our block - everyone else is an Airbnb landlord'

19 October 2023 , 13:14

613     0

David and Ella say they are the only full-time occupants in their block of flats (Image: Edinburgh)

A couple have found themselves alone in a block of flats now completely dominated by holiday let landlords.

David Crisbe-Lepage, 23, and Ella Mortimer, 22, are the only full-time residents in a block of flats on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, surrounded by holiday lets. The pair recognise that there are pros and cons of the situation, which has emerged as the city's authority tries to tackle a surge in Airbnbs and similar rentals.

"There are good and bad things about it, the nice thing is that we can't annoy anyone because no one is here long enough to care. Most people who come here don't really care about the noise they make because for them it is like a hotel," said David, Edinburgh Live reported. "Luckily we are on the bottom floor and we don't have too many people above, we do hear loud music from time to time but it isn't the nicest place to live with that going on."

The couple moved into their flat two months ago only to discover once in that they're the only permanent residents in their building. Ella, who is studying for a master's in geo-energy, added: "I think we are the only full-time occupants here. Often, when I come home in the evening there are people standing outside of the gate having no idea where to go and they start asking me questions.

Do you have an Airbnb story to share? Email [email protected]

World’s most popular holiday homes include glass cube deep in a forest canyon

STL licence application notices have began appearing at the entrances to holiday accommodation in the city centre and across Edinburgh. (Adam McGibbon)

"We also have a lot of people ringing our buzzer, they leave the security gate open all the time or just slam the gate every time when they go in and out."

Edinburgh council has brought in a licensing scheme to cut the number of properties in the city that are used as short-term holiday lets. It is doing so in a bid to tackle the city's affordable housing crisis and concerns about anti-social behaviour. Self catering properties, bed and breakfasts and other short term letting accommodation have until October 1 to apply for a licence to operate or stop trading.

When Edinburgh's new licensing agreement was agreed upon, Neil Ross, Regulatory Committee Convener said: "Around a third of all short term lets are here in Edinburgh and the new licensing scheme will give us greater control over where short term lets are situated. Issues of safety and anti-social behaviour have been having a detrimental effect on our residents so I'm pleased to see the new scheme will make sure licence holders meet the right safety requirements and occupancy levels and that they will have to obtain the correct planning permission as a condition of their licence."

Clearly being a holiday let landlord in Edinburgh is immensely profitable for some. Recently an Airbnb landlord told the Mirror how he is able to pay for his holidays by renting out his flat on the platform. Jamie, a telecoms supervisor, says that it was the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which kicked off the move. "The Fringe was my main reason for starting, but it is every time I'm away from home now," the 34-year-old told the Mirror.

He says he had "always thought about" becoming an Airbnb landlord, but decided to take the plunge when cost of living went "through the roof" as a way of making extra cash. "Within a week (of putting it on Airbnb) it was fully booked for the festival," Jamie said. The firm suggested a price to him during his first summer as a landlord which he has upped now after the property was let quickly last year.

In recent months Jamie has been staying at his parents' house so he can rent out the flat more often. During two recent holidays to Dubai and Florida, Jamie's flat was leased out for the entire time. Every few days he was away he received a payment of around £400 from Airbnb, he claims.

"I manage it myself, because if I handed it to someone else I'd lose money. My parents help manage it when I'm not in the country and a cleaner has keys," Jamie explained. He believes his 4.9 out of five stars - enough to make him a 'Superhost' - have been awarded because of the flat's price and his responsiveness over the phone.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Milo Boyd