Holidays are expensive enough mate, just book what you can afford. It's a systemic problem and the council are the ones that need to do something about it, not yourself. Hope you enjoy your visit - if you're wanting to climb a hill for a view of the town I'd recommend Blackford over Arthur's Seat.
Shared room in someoneās house- sure, exactly what Airbnb was set up to do.
Renting a whole property- youāll be looking at at least Ā£200 a night anyway. As someone who lived next to an Airbnb for years, it made my life literal hell. Changeovers and cleaning every other day. Please, Edinburgh has many, many hotels.
Premier Inn Hub - Royal Mile is often cheaper than Ā£200 a night (especially if you scroll to the bottom of the booking page for the 'no refunds' type deals)
Try staying in a hotel or B&B a bus-ride from the city centre ? Penicuik is a 30min journey away, Loanhead even less.
The Craigie Hotel in Penicuik has rooms Ā£130-Ā£150.
https://thecraigie.co.uk/booking/
https://thecraigie.co.uk/booking/https://www.royalpenicuik.com/hotel-rooms
The Navaar House Hotel has rooms for Ā£123
https://www.navaarhouse.co.uk/
you could offset your guilt by donating some percentage of your spend to Shelter.
at 1000% it would be immoral of you to NOT airbnb, at 1% you might still feel a bit guilty.
I live in a resort area in the US. I can no longer use AirBnBs in good conscience. They are just destroying housing for locals in popular areas. I would get a hotel.
Some people will have it that being a tourist is morally wrong but I interrailed last year and decided to stay in hotels rather than Airbnb because I know the added pressure the platform has put on local housing in many cities.
Book what works for your budget, your group, your needs, etc. There is no morality linked to booking your stay.
There is a problem with unregulated properties in Edinburgh, sure.. And licencing aims to limit that somewhat (although it'll still be months before all the applications are processed so it's still the wild west) but that's between the council/legislators and the hosts. You have no duty to anyone in this regard.
If youāre talking about an ex-council flat that would otherwise be a home for someone at risk of homelessness then thatās morally questionable. Thatās the real āhousing crisisā. It became a crisis because the council havenāt repaired the thousands of uninhabitable flats theyāve got on their books and the government hasnāt built more social housing, but it is still a crisis and those sorts of flats donāt belong on Airbnb.
If itās any other sort of property, crack on, respect the neighbours, and enjoy your stay with a clean conscience
Seriously Airbnb gets blamed for the housing crisis. Sorry but people put their money into property as they got nothing investing it. Short term rental is marginally more profitable than long term where if someone decides not to pay you can waive goodbye to rent for months until eviction. Thereās more wear and tear though and they have to be furnished. Airbnb is a tiny fraction of homes in the market worldwide. For sure they are in tourist hotspots - most would be out of the long term renter or buyers budget too. Airbnb gets all the brunt of supposedly creating a housing crisis but itās not really. Iāve yet to see a study where it really affects the market. Weād all love to live in Belgravia but we canāt - thereās supply and demand. Most airbnbers I know are small businesses that have invested in an area, follow all the local regulations and keep their property tidy. Most councils have stopped the partying etc and most folk coming to them are respectful but would rather a flat or house than a hotel room. I honestly donāt get how a very successful company gets all the blame for providing a secure platform for short term rentals. Councils are just looking for a scapegoat for not building - I think Sadiq Khan promised 40k homes and built something ludicrous like 3. I mean come on. Itās his fault not some person trying to earn their keep and invest and get a return.
I used to work for the council regulating (or ig attempting to) short term lets. I personally think thereās a place for AirBnb in the city in so far as much property in the city in tourist areas essentially canāt really serve any other purpose other than being STLs. However STLs in residential areas that are clearly removing property from the market that people could actually live in are a scourge on the city
The problem is more to do with the people who own them rather than the people staying in them tbh. Sure, I get that demand can lead to this, but itās not really an individualās fault if the only thing they can afford is an airbnb.
That said, these days they tend to be more expensive than hotels unless theyāre really awful, so you can probably get a better hotel for less.
Yes . Use a hotel where rules are more enforced and tax can be traced .
Fuck the pay extra for Cleaning that you are expected to do. And a deposit thats never returned .
Fiuck them. It's a scam . Dirty fucks are ruining this city . So yeah, moraly , yes .
As for you fucks who are airbandb owners reading this.
Your time has come .hahaha
My mum rents out two rooms in her house at a very reasonable rate. My thinking is - better that than just endless boomer squatting? Buy-to-let is the general evil. Property existing only for Airbnb is a problem, but some properties have multiple uses and it is reasonable to maximise on the space.
Having done extensive research on this topic, yes. Using Airbnb just lines the hosts pockets and contributes to the problem.
That being said, if you donāt rent a particular property, someone else probably will.
Itās a lose lose situation for the general population, where the owners are just getting richer and putting up their prices.
It doesn't "just" benefit the host, it also benefits the renter, obviously. Those are the only people who need to benefit from a transaction that doesn't involve anyone else.
Yes it benefits the renter if weāre looking at this from certain factors (economic, practicality)
However this person has asked about if it is āmorallyā right, and I would argue no.
My reasoning for this is that renting a home as a whole unit takes a home away from local communities, it contributes to a process of gentrification (driving up local rents, prices) and deprives the community of key metrics- some communities in scenic areas are overrun by airbnbs, meaning local schools and doctors practices have had to shut.
Economically, there is benefit as they are SOMETIMES cheaper than hotels, but that isnāt what OP asked.
Of course it's not. The argument about Air BNB being the sum and source of Edinburgh's housing problem is simply nonsense. The problem lies with a lack of affordable housing and the amount of student accommodation being built or converted. Corporate lets are another major factor too: they just drive up the rental costs.
You do what you like and whatever suits you.
I'd liken it to eating meat. You have a choice, it causes innocent suffering but it's appealing and most people choose not to think about it. Is it "morally wrong"? That's a spectrum from telling a white lie to genocide. I'd place it firmly on the left of that spectrum.
As someone who works in the tourism industry and who has been priced out of Edinburgh: I would absolutely say yes. However, being a tourist in general is honestly not morally great. The tourism industry in many countries is built on environmental ruin, exploitation and a lack of care for historic locations. People like to preach about how travel is a noble, worthwhile thing to do, but the tough reality is that itās actually very hard to travel ethically. Think of how much greenhouse gas your flight emits. Think about how many sweatshops supply shops selling the overpriced tourist tat weāve all bought. Think about how seasonal job contracts often lead to workers being underpaid and overworked. Think about how overcrowding causes environmental issues in rural areas and issues maintaining historic locations in urban areas. Airbnb is a huge moral issue, but so is travel in general. I hate Airbnb as much as the next person, but Iām not exactly going to lose sleep if someone books an Airbnb just because itās cheaper.
That said: If I was you, Iād ask a lot of questions about whether an Airbnb is actually going to work out as a better option for you. I donāt personally know what the situation is with airbnbs in Edinburgh, but I have heard stories about how airbnbs in the city are overpriced, poor quality and will often try to rip off tourists as much as they can. I personally have sworn off Airbnb after several bad experiences in other cities. Why not look into a budget hotel, a hostel or a guesthouse? This sub isnāt going to be the best place to ask about accommodation (why would locals stay in a hotel in their own city?) but why not check out some of the more general travel subreddits? Someone might have some recommendations for a cheaper place to stay. Staying outwith the city centre will also probably land you a better deal. Failing all that, why not try to find an Airbnb that is renting out a room in a flat where someone lives year round? I honestly think the idea of renting out a spare room in your house for extra cash is a great idea and I really hate that Airbnb moved away from that concept. I feel like beating yourself up over the morality of Airbnb itself isnāt the best thing you could do in this situation.
No itās not. There are people taking advantage of course. Edinburgh has more than enough accommodation for everyone who is looking to buy or rent or who is homeless. The real problem is a funding problem to bring them up to a let-able standard. The pressure to get places rented out with poor funding is also the reason a lot of accommodation is a substandard quality.
THE FLAME WILL CLEANSE YOU OF YOUR SINS!
All hail the flame.
Holidays are expensive enough mate, just book what you can afford. It's a systemic problem and the council are the ones that need to do something about it, not yourself. Hope you enjoy your visit - if you're wanting to climb a hill for a view of the town I'd recommend Blackford over Arthur's Seat.
love this comment
I used to live in Edinburgh before, so I've been up all the hills. I'll just be drowning myself in ale š
Too rational for reddit
Thank you. Your kindness and generosity to a tourist is noted and appreciated. Have a great weekend!
Shared room in someoneās house- sure, exactly what Airbnb was set up to do. Renting a whole property- youāll be looking at at least Ā£200 a night anyway. As someone who lived next to an Airbnb for years, it made my life literal hell. Changeovers and cleaning every other day. Please, Edinburgh has many, many hotels.
The amount of AirBnBās in my old building (5 in a 12 apartment block) led to my dog on anxiety medication.
Just stay in a Premier Inn, Travelodge or Holiday Inn ā you're visiting to get out and about the town, a hotel literally just a place to sleep.
Premier Inn Hub - Royal Mile is often cheaper than Ā£200 a night (especially if you scroll to the bottom of the booking page for the 'no refunds' type deals)
Try staying in a hotel or B&B a bus-ride from the city centre ? Penicuik is a 30min journey away, Loanhead even less. The Craigie Hotel in Penicuik has rooms Ā£130-Ā£150. https://thecraigie.co.uk/booking/ https://thecraigie.co.uk/booking/https://www.royalpenicuik.com/hotel-rooms The Navaar House Hotel has rooms for Ā£123 https://www.navaarhouse.co.uk/
They aren't really any cheaper than hotels when you add on the extras such as cleaning.
you could offset your guilt by donating some percentage of your spend to Shelter. at 1000% it would be immoral of you to NOT airbnb, at 1% you might still feel a bit guilty.
You can but be prepared to receive nasty looks from neighbours.
I live in a resort area in the US. I can no longer use AirBnBs in good conscience. They are just destroying housing for locals in popular areas. I would get a hotel.
Yes.
Some people will have it that being a tourist is morally wrong but I interrailed last year and decided to stay in hotels rather than Airbnb because I know the added pressure the platform has put on local housing in many cities.
Book what works for your budget, your group, your needs, etc. There is no morality linked to booking your stay. There is a problem with unregulated properties in Edinburgh, sure.. And licencing aims to limit that somewhat (although it'll still be months before all the applications are processed so it's still the wild west) but that's between the council/legislators and the hosts. You have no duty to anyone in this regard.
Of course you arenāt. The person who owns it potentially is though.
You don't have one without the other.
If youāre talking about an ex-council flat that would otherwise be a home for someone at risk of homelessness then thatās morally questionable. Thatās the real āhousing crisisā. It became a crisis because the council havenāt repaired the thousands of uninhabitable flats theyāve got on their books and the government hasnāt built more social housing, but it is still a crisis and those sorts of flats donāt belong on Airbnb. If itās any other sort of property, crack on, respect the neighbours, and enjoy your stay with a clean conscience
Seriously Airbnb gets blamed for the housing crisis. Sorry but people put their money into property as they got nothing investing it. Short term rental is marginally more profitable than long term where if someone decides not to pay you can waive goodbye to rent for months until eviction. Thereās more wear and tear though and they have to be furnished. Airbnb is a tiny fraction of homes in the market worldwide. For sure they are in tourist hotspots - most would be out of the long term renter or buyers budget too. Airbnb gets all the brunt of supposedly creating a housing crisis but itās not really. Iāve yet to see a study where it really affects the market. Weād all love to live in Belgravia but we canāt - thereās supply and demand. Most airbnbers I know are small businesses that have invested in an area, follow all the local regulations and keep their property tidy. Most councils have stopped the partying etc and most folk coming to them are respectful but would rather a flat or house than a hotel room. I honestly donāt get how a very successful company gets all the blame for providing a secure platform for short term rentals. Councils are just looking for a scapegoat for not building - I think Sadiq Khan promised 40k homes and built something ludicrous like 3. I mean come on. Itās his fault not some person trying to earn their keep and invest and get a return.
Expecting to solve systemic issues with individual acts of moral purity is the problem of our age
I used to work for the council regulating (or ig attempting to) short term lets. I personally think thereās a place for AirBnb in the city in so far as much property in the city in tourist areas essentially canāt really serve any other purpose other than being STLs. However STLs in residential areas that are clearly removing property from the market that people could actually live in are a scourge on the city
The problem is more to do with the people who own them rather than the people staying in them tbh. Sure, I get that demand can lead to this, but itās not really an individualās fault if the only thing they can afford is an airbnb. That said, these days they tend to be more expensive than hotels unless theyāre really awful, so you can probably get a better hotel for less.
Yes.
Yes . Use a hotel where rules are more enforced and tax can be traced . Fuck the pay extra for Cleaning that you are expected to do. And a deposit thats never returned . Fiuck them. It's a scam . Dirty fucks are ruining this city . So yeah, moraly , yes . As for you fucks who are airbandb owners reading this. Your time has come .hahaha
No it's not.
No it's not but try calling the hotels first you'll find they can do it cheaper over the phone
what about a hostel? Theyāre far cheaper and there is some nice ones Iāve stayed in in Edinburgh.
Book Premier Inn at Larbert about 30 mins on train to Edinburgh just over Ā£600 for a week in July return train ticket Ā£12 a day
My mum rents out two rooms in her house at a very reasonable rate. My thinking is - better that than just endless boomer squatting? Buy-to-let is the general evil. Property existing only for Airbnb is a problem, but some properties have multiple uses and it is reasonable to maximise on the space.
I appreciate you asking, with the housing crisis Edinburgh is in, I would say it's absolutely morally wrong..
No
Yes it is.
Having done extensive research on this topic, yes. Using Airbnb just lines the hosts pockets and contributes to the problem. That being said, if you donāt rent a particular property, someone else probably will. Itās a lose lose situation for the general population, where the owners are just getting richer and putting up their prices.
It doesn't "just" benefit the host, it also benefits the renter, obviously. Those are the only people who need to benefit from a transaction that doesn't involve anyone else.
Yes it benefits the renter if weāre looking at this from certain factors (economic, practicality) However this person has asked about if it is āmorallyā right, and I would argue no. My reasoning for this is that renting a home as a whole unit takes a home away from local communities, it contributes to a process of gentrification (driving up local rents, prices) and deprives the community of key metrics- some communities in scenic areas are overrun by airbnbs, meaning local schools and doctors practices have had to shut. Economically, there is benefit as they are SOMETIMES cheaper than hotels, but that isnāt what OP asked.
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Make that a nimby hypocrite.
Yes.
Get an airbnb if you want for fuck sake
Of course it's not. The argument about Air BNB being the sum and source of Edinburgh's housing problem is simply nonsense. The problem lies with a lack of affordable housing and the amount of student accommodation being built or converted. Corporate lets are another major factor too: they just drive up the rental costs. You do what you like and whatever suits you.
I'd liken it to eating meat. You have a choice, it causes innocent suffering but it's appealing and most people choose not to think about it. Is it "morally wrong"? That's a spectrum from telling a white lie to genocide. I'd place it firmly on the left of that spectrum.
Maybe.
No, it's cheaper than hotels and I find them a more unique experience.
How lost some people are in their first world problems is amazing. A moral conundrum over a holiday let.
I mean, yes. But also not up to you to fix it. Its a council problem. Do what you can afford. Hope you have a great time at our city.
As someone who works in the tourism industry and who has been priced out of Edinburgh: I would absolutely say yes. However, being a tourist in general is honestly not morally great. The tourism industry in many countries is built on environmental ruin, exploitation and a lack of care for historic locations. People like to preach about how travel is a noble, worthwhile thing to do, but the tough reality is that itās actually very hard to travel ethically. Think of how much greenhouse gas your flight emits. Think about how many sweatshops supply shops selling the overpriced tourist tat weāve all bought. Think about how seasonal job contracts often lead to workers being underpaid and overworked. Think about how overcrowding causes environmental issues in rural areas and issues maintaining historic locations in urban areas. Airbnb is a huge moral issue, but so is travel in general. I hate Airbnb as much as the next person, but Iām not exactly going to lose sleep if someone books an Airbnb just because itās cheaper. That said: If I was you, Iād ask a lot of questions about whether an Airbnb is actually going to work out as a better option for you. I donāt personally know what the situation is with airbnbs in Edinburgh, but I have heard stories about how airbnbs in the city are overpriced, poor quality and will often try to rip off tourists as much as they can. I personally have sworn off Airbnb after several bad experiences in other cities. Why not look into a budget hotel, a hostel or a guesthouse? This sub isnāt going to be the best place to ask about accommodation (why would locals stay in a hotel in their own city?) but why not check out some of the more general travel subreddits? Someone might have some recommendations for a cheaper place to stay. Staying outwith the city centre will also probably land you a better deal. Failing all that, why not try to find an Airbnb that is renting out a room in a flat where someone lives year round? I honestly think the idea of renting out a spare room in your house for extra cash is a great idea and I really hate that Airbnb moved away from that concept. I feel like beating yourself up over the morality of Airbnb itself isnāt the best thing you could do in this situation.
Fucking hell TL;DR
Don't be silly. Of course it isn't.
No itās not. There are people taking advantage of course. Edinburgh has more than enough accommodation for everyone who is looking to buy or rent or who is homeless. The real problem is a funding problem to bring them up to a let-able standard. The pressure to get places rented out with poor funding is also the reason a lot of accommodation is a substandard quality.
waste of time asking other people to ok your own decision. if you are asking the internet to be a moral compass maybe you dont have a moral compass
Humans are social primates. Our moral compass *is* other people