Airbnb is launching a scheme that will allow tenants to sub-let their rental properties amid criticism the website is driving up prices and fuelling a housing crisis.
The property portal said the scheme is designed to make it easier for tenants to become Airbnb hosts, as long as the property remains their primary residence.
It is currently only available to commercial landlords, not individual landlords and their tenants.
However, estate agency Knight Frank warned that without verification measures in place, the initiative could leave landlords at risk from tenants who list their properties without approval.
Gary Hall, head of lettings at Knight Frank, said: “We currently have the issue of tenants who Airbnb their properties across London without permission.
“Airbnb needs to do more to make sure it is done with the permission of the landlord.
“At the moment there is abuse, and we don’t want the problem to get worse.”
The majority of tenancy agreements ban sub-letting by the…
