Over the last year, cases of city centre leasehold flats being turned into Airbnb style hotels have increased drastically. Hundreds of peoples lives are being made a misery in their own homes, by having streams of people arrive in a neighbours property every few days, partying through the night. These hotels breach the terms of the lease agreement due to security, safety and insurance issues.

It takes far too long to get cases resolved because the owners aren’t faced with any consequences. There are no substantial laws to help speed the process up and there’s nothing to deter them doing it again. In the meantime, residents are left to suffer for months on end. This not only has a detrimental effect on their health, it also drains valuable council and police resources, costing thousands of pounds to deal with the anti-social behaviour and noise disturbances from properties across the City.

Flats bought by wealthy businessmen, and turned into short term lets and hotels, deprive northerners from getting on the property ladder and drive up the rental and housing prices, making it near impossible to buy your first home. Some new builds have banned short term lets to help combat this growing problem. Several countries have successfully banned Airbnb’s from their cities.

As someone who’s endured over 6 months of hell with a hotel pop up next door, and who’s been pushed to feelings of suicide because I’ve had nowhere to turn. I am calling for Manchester City Council to lead the way and completely ban short term lets in all residential buildings. This will ensure homes are being used for their intended purpose and protect residents.