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Airbnb criticised for promoting large lockdown lets in Edinburgh

Twitter users in Edinburgh have criticised Airbnb over group stays - Getty 
Twitter users in Edinburgh have criticised Airbnb over group stays - Getty

Airbnb has been criticised for promoting large group properties in Edinburgh, despite Scotland being under a strict national lockdown.

Disgruntled local residents have taken to Twitter to complain about rowdy groups staying in the city. David Weinczok wrote: “Cheers to @Airbnb for taking bookings at the height of a pandemic – currently 89 in New Town/North Edinburgh alone.

“Before you say it could be for essential purposes etc. tell that to the group of 10+ drunk, shouty lads who kept me up the last two nights. Reporting them today.”

Another Twitter user, travel blogger Samantha Grant, replied: “Just checked, 300+ current properties coming up on Airbnb to rent in Edinburgh without owner approval required. So while hotels, b&bs etc go out of business, these guys keep going as normal! Shocking.”

The short-term letting company is currently advertising hundreds of properties in Edinburgh alone, even though all non-essential travel is prohibited. The Scottish Government has released a list of exemptions to this rule, which include those needing accommodation for work purposes, to attend funerals, or while they are moving house.

Among the properties accepting bookings for stays this month is a five-bedroom duplex penthouse in the West End area. A review of the property, dated from February last year, describes it as “a comfortable stay for 11 adults.” Another premium property available is a grand Georgian townhouse, which sleeps 13 and is priced at £695 a night.

Other properties in the capital, perhaps looking to show they are staying within the rules, are advertised with the taglines “perfect for essential workers” or “quarantine cute cottage.”

The company does not appear to have halted its marketing efforts. When going to book a 12-person townhouse with a hot tub for next week, the message “this is a rare find. [Owner’s name] place on Airbnb is usually fully booked” appears.

Airbnb has issued a statement emphasising that stays are only offered ‘in line with Government guidance’.

It reads: ‘There are lockdowns in place across Scotland and stays on Airbnb are only available in limited circumstances, in line with government guidance. This is made clear on our website, which restricts bookings to these legal exemptions.’

When booking any property on the website users must tick a box confirming that their stay “is permitted under current applicable legal restrictions.” Some property owners require extra details such as a photo of the guest or a message explaining their reasons for staying. There is also a statement on the website that notes “failure to follow the law is a criminal offence” and links to current Government restrictions.

Airbnb is somewhat of an outlier in the self-catering sector in allowing stays to continue. Other websites, including Sykes Cottages, have stopped taking bookings for this month. However, arguably Airbnb’s service is unique in that it offers longer stays that aren’t exclusively aimed at holidaymakers.

Scotland has recently extended its lockdown until at least the middle of February. Newly introduced restrictions include bans on people entering takeaway establishments and drinking alcohol outside.