If Cheltenham Borough Council demolished 751 homes..
There's a shocking trend impacting Cheltenham's rental market: a surge in Airbnb listings. While the Council hasn't demolished homes, but it has stood by while 751 properties are now listed for short-term stays and removed from the local housing market.
This means fewer long-term rentals are available, pushing rents for traditional options through the roof. Imagine: £1,300 for a standard flat compared to £5,000+ for an Airbnb (even if only occupied part-time). It's no surprise landlords prioritize short-term gains over stable tenants.
The consequences? Key workers like nurses and teachers are priced out, forced to choose between sky-high rents or long commutes. This hurts the local economy and adds to traffic congestion.
We need Cheltenham Borough Council to wake up. We, the council tax-paying renters, deserve a say! Let's push for enforcement of regulations, fair taxes on holiday lets, and a focus on building genuinely affordable housing. Start by measuring the problem. How many short term lets are there? Where are they?
What are your thoughts? Share your experience in this quick survey:https://forms.gle/WkbWgZzvdHBbDQJ56
What would happen if the every councillor received an email from each of the 40,000 Cheltenham renters?
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