What's the problem with Airbnb?

The Briefing Room

The number of holiday lets in England rose by 40% between 2018 and 2021. There's been a similar boom across the UK and governments are at varying stages of legislation to regulate the industry and curb the problems associated with these kinds of rentals. Launching England's consultation earlier this year the Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said too many people were being "pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages". Meanwhile a second consultation's being led by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, to create a register of these types of property.

So can local tourism and local communities both benefit? And how is this different from second home ownership anywhere?

David Aaronovitch hears from:

Ffion Jon, Documentary maker James Kinnersly, Sales Director and UK market expert at AirDNA Vicky Spratt, Housing Correspondent at the i paper Dr Nancy Holman, Associate Professor of Urban Planning at London School of Economics

Production: Alix Pickles and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon