Airbnb has pushed back against claims that its platform is contributing to the rise in house prices in Bristol. In a recently commissioned report, the short-term rental platform stated that its operations have “no discernible impact” on either housing affordability or the availability of homes in the city.
The research, conducted by EY, found that properties listed on Airbnb for 90 nights a year accounted for just 0.24% of Bristol’s total housing stock. On average, hosts in the city rent their homes for less than four days each month, highlighting the minimal involvement of Airbnb in the local property market.
Airbnb also reported that its presence in Bristol generated £45 million in gross value added (GVA) last year, supporting 688 jobs across the city. These figures underline the platform’s contribution to the local economy, despite its limited influence on the housing market.
Airbnb’s Broader UK Impact
Amanda Cupples, Airbnb’s General Manager for Northern Europe, pointed out that housing challenges across the UK stem from long-term issues such as insufficient home-building to meet demand. She welcomed the government’s plans to construct 1.5 million new homes to address these concerns.
“Only a tiny fraction of British homes are listed on Airbnb,” Cupples said. “This activity supports tens of thousands of jobs across the country and helps four in ten hosts afford their own homes, while generating billions for the UK economy.”
The report’s release coincides with ongoing discussions in the government regarding stricter regulations on short-term lets. Sir Keir Starmer’s government is reportedly considering allowing local councils to impose planning permission requirements on holiday lets in certain areas. A national register for short-term rentals is also being explored, ensuring that local authorities can better track such activity.
Calls for Regulation
Airbnb has taken a proactive stance in the debate, writing to the government to advocate for clearer short-term rental regulations. The company supports measures that would empower local councils, such as those in Bristol, to regulate the sector more effectively.
“We welcome regulation,” Cupples added, noting that Airbnb has been a leader in calling for national legislation to manage short-term lets. “We want to make it easier for local authorities to track the positive impacts of home sharing, and to introduce measures that support sustainable growth in this sector.”
According to Airbnb, of the 318 local authorities examined in the report, only 25 have more than 2% of their total dwellings listed on Airbnb, Bristol included. The company reiterated its commitment to helping communities manage housing challenges and regulate short-term lets where necessary.
With its latest report, Airbnb continues to assert that its platform is not a significant driver of house price increases in Bristol, focusing instead on the economic benefits it brings to the region.
