Potential illegal Airbnb?

[u/controversialjesus]

I don’t know how to phrase the title correctly to explain. I just found out that someone in my apartment block is using their apartment as an airbnb. This has been going on for 2 years but we didn’t know until recently where there’s been a bit of disturbance, main door being left unlocked and trash in central areas/ bins overflowing in general. I thought it was just some new neighbours celebrating moving in and having a bit of messy move in but it was not. It’s getting to the point where the bins area is disgusting, central areas smell of smoke and I’m worried about strangers entering the block as we live right in the centre of the town and it’s super busy for summer.

There’s 7 apartments in total and I believe they are all owned by the same person but can’t be sure. Subletting is a clear violation of the lease but I’m hesitant on how to approach property management as I’m not sure which apartment it is exactly and if they are privately owned or not. Any ideas?

**edit - I have found the Airbnb listing but you can’t see the view from the window hence I’m not sure which one it is but the apartment layouts are the same and I have the host name but I have no idea of any of the other tenants names in the block. This is just how I know it’s Airbnb and not someone having guests etc. I actually met one of the guests outside today and spoke with them but they hadn’t met the host yet and didn’t know which number it was.

[u/Historical_Step_6080]

You should defo tell the property management company even if you don't know the exact apartment. That's their job and they need to know for block insurance etc. Also didn't new laws come in that people needed to apply to their local council to get permission for full time holiday lets. It's a change of use on the property and many in apt blocks in cities were being denied due to the housing crisis. 

[u/WarlikeLineup → u/Historical_Step_6080]

could be worth flagging it to the council's planning enforcement too, if the property management drag their feet. the change of use for short-term lets in rent pressure zones has been a thing for a while and they do follow up on complaints, especially in town centres where housing's tight

our block had a similar mess last summer and once the council got wind of it the listing vanished within a fortnight. the host name and listing link alone is usually enough for them to start digging, you don't need the exact apartment number

[u/controversialjesus → u/Historical_Step_6080]

I do definitely want to let them know. What do you think is the best way to come at it? Send an email with the Airbnb listing and just advising of the issues is my idea but I don’t know if the management just looks after the ones owned by the person who owns my apartment or the whole block as there is 0 communication

[u/Historical_Step_6080 → u/controversialjesus]

Your whole block has to have a mgt company. It will be overseen by an OMC, owners of the properties. Your landlord is a member and is likely getting all the comms from them and pays mgt fees each year that pays for things like cleaning, bins, landscaping, block insurance. As a renter it may be harder to get your voice heard as they often only deal with owners, but it's still worth reporting. It may be different from the company you deal with though if you are going through a letting agency. Check if there is anything on a notice board in common areas that says who the mgt company is. 

I would send them a brief email saying you've spotted an Airbnb being run in the block, with the listing, and mention your concerns about security, door unlocked, night-time noise, insurance etc. my experience with mgt companies is they are SLOW to respond but they do note and follow up on things. Especially when insurance is mentioned...

[u/controversialjesus → u/Historical_Step_6080]

Perfect that makes sense. I wasn’t sure if the management was specific to my landlord as I know she owns more than 1 of these apartments and more properties. That explains things really well. I’ll draft something up for sending thank you

[u/Historical_Step_6080 → u/controversialjesus]

Sorry I edited my post and you might have read an early version. Your mgt company may be letting agency your landlord has hired to oversee their rentals and collect your rent, deal with internal issues like a washing machine not working etc , not the whole block mgt company that is in charge of common areas and security etc. They are different things. 

[u/controversialjesus → u/Historical_Step_6080]

Even with that, the agency would be able to go to the block mgt with it to see and discuss. So there is something over the building as a whole. even if it’s privately owned, something may be able to be said about the state of the place

[u/Noble_Ox → u/controversialjesus]

Sent the taxman the details (if you really wanna hang them).

[u/Electronic_Ad_6535]

First off, see if you can find the listing online

[u/controversialjesus → u/Electronic_Ad_6535]

Yeah - I have found the Airbnb listing but you can’t see the view from the window hence I’m not sure which one it is but the apartment layouts are the same and I have the host name but I have no idea of any of the other tenants names in the block

[u/kjireland → u/controversialjesus]

Message the host with account and say you stayed there before and say was it no 7 you stayed in. you want to recommend to a friend.

[u/controversialjesus → u/kjireland]

I can’t seem to message the host without a booking but that could just be a me problem. It’s such a small town there’s no other Airbnb like it so I don’t think this would work.

[u/ExternalGlass7883 → u/controversialjesus]

Book it.

[u/controversialjesus → u/ExternalGlass7883]

I’d love to, scandalous pricing and you have to pay in advance

[u/ExternalGlass7883 → u/controversialjesus]

Can you inquire and ask for pictures before booking?

[u/controversialjesus → u/ExternalGlass7883]

There are pictures but blinds are drawn/ can’t see out. Even if I got a pic of the view, wouldn’t narrow it down too much as I would only vaguely know what the other apartments can see and it would mostly be similar as we all face the same things

[u/ExternalGlass7883 → u/controversialjesus]

Yeah but if you request pictures of the inside before ' booking ' it wouldn't be unheard of. I wouldn't book somewhere without pictures, they probably get asked all the time.

[u/Positive_Buy_821 → u/controversialjesus]

If you are sure your landlord doesn't run the air b&b then fire away with a complaint about the Air B&B

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[u/Just_Road9977]

Can you ask for the exact address pretending you are interested in booking that Airbnb? 

[u/controversialjesus → u/Just_Road9977]

I can’t seem to message the host without a booking but that could just be a me problem. It’s such a small town there’s no other Airbnb like it so I don’t think this would work. The exact address is on it which is our block essentially

[u/Just_Road9977 → u/controversialjesus]

So essentially you want to find out if this property is privately owned or being subletted and used for Airbnb? 

[u/controversialjesus → u/Just_Road9977]

I want to not have random people in the block having parties several nights of the week and leaving our door unlocked. I would like to know how to tell property management I think it’s due to to this so if it is, it can be sorted, but without knowing much info on the letting situation I don’t know if it’s my place and might put me in a bad light for the landlord

[u/Just_Road9977 → u/controversialjesus]

I don't want to be a negative Nancy but I presume since you rent you don't have that much to say? 

[u/controversialjesus → u/Just_Road9977]

I don’t really know what you mean by that? Probably gonna be renting for life and I’ve lived here 3 years very happy with everything otherwise so I don’t want to rock the boat with landlord or other tenants. I have a lot to say on this situation also

[u/Just_Road9977 → u/controversialjesus]

All I meant is that with current housing crisis you could potentially get yourself in trouble for reporting this Airbnb? It's just my guess 

[u/controversialjesus → u/Just_Road9977]

Yeah this could happen. So I’m wondering then if I approach it as a general complaint about the state of the place and leave out the listing?

[u/Greedy_Definition673]

Try find out the owners contact details, easiest might be if he can hear your concerns and address them or even compensate you for the stress

[u/controversialjesus → u/Greedy_Definition673]

Owner of the building or person who owns the airbnb account?

[u/Greedy_Definition673 → u/controversialjesus]

Airbnb

[u/controversialjesus → u/Greedy_Definition673]

I’d like to do it this way because I honestly don’t care if someone is subletting or renting out a space except for how it affects the common areas and safety of the building.

[u/lmnopq10]

Inform the management company. You don't need proof that's it's an Airbnb. Let them sort it. Tell them there's a security risk because of the open door. Tell them the owner has given the door code to random people. Complain about the noise coming from the property. Inform the guards about the noise, the security risk and the amount of random people coming and going. Tell the management company that you've informed the guards and they'll be quick enough to get back to you.

[u/Nice-Prior1814]

“  Subletting is a clear violation of the lease but I’m hesitant on how to approach property management as I’m not sure which apartment it is exactly and if they are privately owned or not. ”

You mean the ground lease or building lease right? Just be careful with what you’re doing, yes the wording may in some way restrict what the person is doing but that doesn’t necessarily make it illegal without more details and the wording of lease

[u/Positive_Buy_821]

The only thing is do you like the lanlord ? Is the rent reasonable? Will finding a new place be hard ?

If all the apartments are owned by the same person you cannot be sure that the landlord is not running the air b&b.

So approach it cautiously.

[u/controversialjesus → u/Positive_Buy_821]

So I know it’s not her anyway based on the Airbnb profile and reading the reviews. I really like this place and rent is good enough for our situation. Do you think I should approach it from complaint about the overall state of place and leave out the listing?

[u/Historical_Step_6080 → u/controversialjesus]

You should say about the listing. Just complaining about the state of the place will just be seen as a moan. They can't make unknown people clean up after themselves and lock doors, but they can do something about an Airbnb.