The association said it had concerns that some users of the sites renting out houses and rooms were essentially becoming illegal hotels, by avoiding regulations and tax.
It is also calling for a crack down on owners of multiple properties who let them all out on the websites. In London alone it is thought this could account for as many as two in five properties.
In addition the BHA is demanding compliance with rules in London, which state that 90 days is the maximum a property can be let out to visitors without planning permission.
The BHA has proposed that sites are set up to restrict hosts from letting beyond 90 days and notify the relevant authorities - such as HMRC and local government - about hosts who are letting entire or multiple properties.
It has drawn up a list of six questions that it believes would support greater transparency and provide a more robust assessment of the impact of intermediary websites such as Airbnb on tourism, tax, housing and communities in London.
The questions are:
- Of a total of Airbnb’s 24,100 London hosts, how many last year rented more than one property and how many multiple landlords operated more than one property or a portfolio of accommodation via this intermediary website?
- What is the impact of sharing accommodation sites like Airbnb on prices of rental stock in London?
- How much did Airbnb’s top 100 hosts earn last year?
- How many entire properties on Airbnb in London were let for more than 90
days last year?
- Enforcement of health and safety regulations is essential to protect guests.
Will platforms provide details of properties available for short lettings so that
inspections, such as fire safety, can be more easily carried out?
- Will the extended power of HMRC to request information from intermediaries
such as home sharing platforms present an opportunity for greater
transparency on the part of platforms?
- If 29% of Airbnb guests are businesses, what compliance does Airbnb
provide for sustainable supply chain and travel security?
