AirBnBs and second homes to be regulated after Alliance motion passes in Causeway & Glens

Alliance Causeway Councillor Peter McCully has welcomed Causeway Coast and Glens Council voting to pass unanimously Alliance’s motion calling for greater regulation of second homes and AirBnBs.

The motion, proposed by Cllr McCully, calls on the NI Executive to act on concerns that AirBnBs and second homes are causing housing shortages in the local area, and address the limited scope of local councils’ ability to regulate these properties.

Cllr McCully has said: “While the housing pressures worsened by AirBnBs and second homes begin in our coastal towns, the knock on impact is felt by all of us right across the borough.

“In towns further out from the coast there already aren’t enough homes, particularly long term lets, to accommodate people who are from there, before adding on the additional pressure of having to absorb those displaced by these types of developments who are forced to move just to find a home.

“Not only does this affect people trying to get on the property ladder, but also local residents who continue to live in our coastal towns, where it is now commonplace in certain areas that only a few houses on any given street may be permanently occupied. It’s so important that people have a sense of community where they live and many, particularly older, residents are feeling increasingly isolated.

“However, we recognise that many second home owners contribute significantly to the communities they join, both socially and economically. Additionally, AirBnBs are an important part of our tourism infrastructure. This motion is about balance and weighing the needs of our tourist economy with the aim of building strong, sustainable local communities.

“Currently, the balance is completely off. The number of second homes and AirBnB properties is simply too high, and we need the NI Executive to act urgently to protect our coastal communities from further damage.”