The Future of Hosting in England

Our response to the Call for Evidence

Modern and simple rules are key to effective short-term let regulation

In the tough economic climate, people are looking for ways to boost their earnings, with over a third of UK Hosts on Airbnb using income from sharing their own homes to help with rising living costs.

Now is the time to create clear and modern rules that unlock the benefits of hosting for everyday families - through an online, proportionate approach that recognises the broad spectrum of Hosts.

Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb said: “We want to see a short-term let sector that works for everybody – that's why it's vital that any new rules strike the right balance between the needs of local communities, Hosts, and guests. We believe this is the time to develop a clear framework that would do just that.”

Providing transparency for communities

Airbnb has called on the UK Government to create an online, nationwide registration system for the short-term letting sector.

We recognise that legislative change is needed now. There is currently no effective system for monitoring the number or location of short-term lets on the market, creating uncertainty for communities.

A simple, online registration system would allow local authorities to have the tools to know what’s going on in their communities, and take action when needed, without placing a significant burden on ordinary families who rent out their spaces.

Providing transparency for communities

Airbnb has called on the UK Government to create an online, nationwide registration system for the short-term letting sector.

We recognise that legislative change is needed now. There is currently no effective system for monitoring the number or location of short-term lets on the market, creating uncertainty for communities.

A simple, online registration system would allow local authorities to have the tools to know what’s going on in their communities, and take action when needed, without placing a significant burden on ordinary families who rent out their spaces.

Homesharing helps ordinary families to make ends meet

Over a third of UK Hosts on Airbnb say that they use income from sharing their own homes to help with the rising living costs1, which have increased significantly across the UK in 2022.

The typical UK Host on Airbnb earns just over £6,000 – equivalent to two months additional pay.2 This boost in income is more important than ever in the worsening economic climate.

Homesharing helps ordinary families to make ends meet

Over a third of UK Hosts on Airbnb say that they use income from sharing their own homes to help with the rising living costs1, which have increased significantly across the UK in 2022.

The typical UK Host on Airbnb earns just over £6,000 – equivalent to two months additional pay.2 This boost in income is more important than ever in the worsening economic climate.

Travel on Airbnb generated £1.8bn for England’s economy

In 2021, the economic impact generated by guests and Hosts on Airbnb across England also supported over 65,000 jobs.

The average guest on Airbnb spends £100 per day during their stay.3

That’s revenue which stays close to where it is spent, generating significant economic benefits for local communities and helping to spread the benefits of tourism.

Travel on Airbnb generated £1.8bn for England’s economy

In 2021, the economic impact generated by guests and Hosts on Airbnb across England also supported over 65,000 jobs.

The average guest on Airbnb spends £100 per day during their stay.3

That’s revenue which stays close to where it is spent, generating significant economic benefits for local communities and helping to spread the benefits of tourism.

Promoting sustainable tourism dispersal

Airbnb’s accommodation marketplace provides access to unique places to stay in over 2,700 cities, villages, and towns - often filling a gap where there are fewer traditional accomodation options for visitors.

We actively partner with local authorities and organisations to promote regions across the UK. Most recently, Airbnb was the Official Hosting Provider for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

New rules have the opportunity to support communities that benefit from tourism dispersal to more rural or lesser-known destinations.

Promoting sustainable tourism dispersal

Airbnb’s accommodation marketplace provides access to unique places to stay in over 2,700 cities, villages, and towns - often filling a gap where there are fewer traditional accomodation options for visitors.

We actively partner with local authorities and organisations to promote regions across the UK. Most recently, Airbnb was the Official Hosting Provider for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

New rules have the opportunity to support communities that benefit from tourism dispersal to more rural or lesser-known destinations.

1Internal Airbnb data sourced from the 2021 Compact Survey which surveyed Hosts between Feb 2022 - March 2022. This question had 1,739 respondents with 0% Margin of Error
2Host earnings based on Median typical UK Host earnings 2021 and average income based on the UK Census report, Office of National Statistics, 2021.
3 Based on a survey of 233 Airbnb guests who travelled to England in 2020. Margin of error under $15.

Figures mentioned above that are not referenced are all extracted from the BiGGAR Economics Report “England short-term let Economic Analysis” (Sep 2022) commissioned by Airbnb using using internal Airbnb data from Jan 2021 - Jan 2022.

Figures mentioned above that are not referenced are all extracted from the BiGGAR Economics Report “England short-term let Economic Analysis” (Sep 2022) commissioned by Airbnb using using internal Airbnb data from Jan 2021 - Jan 2022.