Party culture in holiday rentals

•   Concerns have been raised about the party culture some local Airbnbs are attracting.

By Daisy Baker,
March 09, 2022

Further to last week’s story on the impending changes to the standards for holiday rentals which have quickly increased across Dorset in recent years, are concerns about the noise disturbances and party culture that some local Airbnbs are attracting. 

At the February Council meeting Cr Wendy McLennan raised concerns about Bridport properties being let out to large groups who use the venue for parties, without the controls in place that apply to hotel guests, for example.

She said with many short stay accommodation owners living outside the North-East, when neighbours call the owner to complain about noise, the owners have limited power to take action.

“When the neighbours ring up the person and say there’s a lot of noise coming from the house, they say well you go and fix it,” Cr McLennan said.

“And [the owners are] in Launceston letting the house out.”

Potential noise disturbances are addressed in the current visitor accommodation standards, with a condition that bed and breakfast establishments and visitor accommodation must not be “likely to cause an unreasonable increase in noise”.

The standards also stipulate that visitor accommodation developments be compatible with the character and use of the area, do not cause unreasonable loss of residential amenity and do not impact the safety and efficiency of local roads or rights of way.

In relation to noise, Airbnb suggests hosts let their neighbours know if they plan to use their home as a holiday rental and discuss any concerns they may have.

Suggestions on how to limit excessive noise include implementing a quiet hours policy, not allowing pets, indicating the listing is not suitable for children or infants, or prohibit parties and additional unregistered guests.

There is an option for hosts to include ‘house rules’ among their listing details.

Local sergeant Brent O’Mahony said during the eight months he’s been in the North-East, there’s hasn’t been an increase of noise complaints in Bridport and it is comparable to other districts he’s worked in. 

“Every demographic is different in terms of what they consider appropriate noise and that can be dependent on the time of day as well,” he said.

“If anyone has any complaints, please contact police and we will make
an assessment.”