Airbnb slammed for reselling parking permit in central Brighton

A concerned resident contacted The Argus after he spotted the Airbnb property online and saw the option for guests to purchase "on street parking close to the house, available at a fee of £10 per day for a 24 hour residents permit".

The resident, who lives in the North Laine area, said parking is already a problem for neighbours - and he believes it is "not right" for Airbnb hosts to be reselling visitor parking permits at a profit in the area.

• SEE ALSO: Brighton council calls for Airbnb landlords to pay business rates

He said: "Residents here will tell you how hard it is to find somewhere to park, even with a permit.

The property is described as 'bang central'

"I know Airbnb hosts do often sell on visitor parking permits, but it's normally done more secretly than this.

"This Airbnb host is wrongly claiming a visitor's permit, selling it on at a profit and stopping residents from being able to park."

The house in Windsor Street is described on Airbnb as "bang central" and "just two minutes walk from the Lanes, Churchill Square, train station and seafront, set back from the main Queens Road".

The "artistic" two-bedroom semi-detached property also has a patio and garden.

Brighton and Hove City Council states that visitor parking permits in the city are only available for residents over the age of 17, and landlords do not qualify.

• READ MORE: 'Airbnb is creating a holiday camp' in Brighton's North Laine

A spokesman for the council said: “Parking permits should not be re-sold. This applies to all permits – for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

“Whenever we are given the name and address of an individual who is alleged to be re-selling permits we investigate.

“The issue of whether a holiday let property is classified as residential or business for parking purposes depends on how many days per year it is rented out.

The Airbnb offers a 24 hour parking permit for £10 per day

“Properties that are let out for more than 140 days are classed as commercial properties and should be registered as a business for parking purposes."

The Argus tried to contact the Airbnb host through the page for the property, but it was found to be booked up completely and unavailable until June 2024, with no option to book after this date.

Airbnb said it has a Responsible Hosting Guide which reminds all property owners to follow rules on parking in their area.

A spokesman for the company said: "We ask hosts to follow all local rules including those around parking and stand ready to assist the council with its investigation.”