Edinburgh council considers bin tax on Airbnb hosts

Neil Dishington said it was no longer cost effective to run an Airbnb in Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council is considering whether the owners of Airbnb-style properties can be charged for bin collections.

It comes after some local authorities in England opted to charge short-term lets for waste management or arrange commercial pick-ups.

The plans will be considered at the council's environment committee.

It follows concerns about the volume of rubbish produced by short-term lets in central Edinburgh.

Scott Arthur, the council's environment convener, said: "Following feedback from residents, council officers are currently looking at the issue of whether short-term let operators can be charged for their waste collections.

"This will be reported to and considered by committee in due course."

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Any new charge would be separate to business rates or council tax already paid by owners of Airbnb-style properties.

However, Neil Dishington, who stopped renting out his flat on Airbnb recently due to all the "overheads", said the council had gone too far.

He had a one-bedroom flat as well as a room in his own house in Edinburgh that he rented out on Airbnb.

The 39-year-old engineer told BBC Scotland News: "I've had to stop doing Airbnb because it wasn't making any money.

"And the final nail in the coffin was the new licensing charge.

"My view is I don't think guests are generating any more rubbish than if someone was living there normally.

"And they don't produce any more waste than students.

"As an owner, you pay the council tax contribution so why would the council ask for extra?

"It is a crusade against Airbnbs and it's suffocating Edinburgh."

New regulations for Airbnb-style properties came into effect in Edinburgh in October last year.

Visitors booking short-term lets in the city were told to look out for licence numbers in adverts to ensure the properties meet the requirements.

Hosts can face fines of £2,500 if they have not complied

Mr Dishington added: "Airbnbs used to be an opportunity for people to welcome tourists into their homes but now all this has been taken away as it's not cost effective any more.

"It's very frustrating to see this crusade on Airbnbs in Edinburgh."