01-06-2025
Edinburgh home owner fumes after 'party Airbnb' reappears on platform
Edinburgh residents say they feel furious after noticing a previously suspended Airbnb return to the platform.
Located in Faulburn, the flat is the only known short term let (STL) in the block, with neighbours complaining of problem parties and loud guests wreaking havoc on their peaceful suburban lives.
Edinburgh Live spoke to business owner Fraser Ramsay in February 2025 after a late night party saw youths falling around the street, acting aggressively with one another and consuming alcohol at the Airbnb property.
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Fraser said neighbours of the short term let have faced regular disturbances with guests coming and going at all hours of the night, parties being thrown from the flat and general noise being caused by certain guests when they are trying to sleep.
Following the report by Live and complaints from residents, the property was suspended from the Airbnb site for 30 days. But locals were enraged when they discovered the flat had been listed on for several months before it reappeared on Airbnb in May 2025 when its suspension ended.
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'I had to go down there as there last night (Tuesday May 27) is a man staying in the flat and I could not sleep from the noise,' Fraser said. 'I told him to keep the noise down or I would phone the police and he agreed to do so but then I heard him through the night again.
'It ruins your next day, I'm a business owner, and going out to working not having a good sleep isn't great. The owner of this Airbnb needs to sell up to someone who will live here long term or rent out the flat to a proper resident.
'At least if it is a permanent neighbour in the block we will be able to build relationships and have common courtesy. At the moment there is a security issue as well because these are strangers.
'People are going at all hours of the night and there is no real soundproofing despite the owner making modifications. It is ridiculous. He cannot get away with this.
'End of the day it is important this comes to an end. When it all kicks off it is horrible.'
Fraser has been in regular contact with Edinburgh Council to try to get answers as to how the owner was able to re-list the property for short term rentals on Airbnb. Correspondence between the home owner and the council stated a notice had been given to the STL landlord ordering them to cease operating the Airbnb unless they are able to lodge an appeal by late June 2025.
It is understood Airbnb suspended the property originally due to a party taking place at the property which is a breach of the platforms rules. However the property owner is understood to have carried out 'sound proofing' alterations to the property, which led to the ban being lifted.
Airbnb protocol states the company will potentially deactivate a property if they are contacted by a relevant local authority which believes the listing is operating illegally. It is understood the council have not made contact with Airbnb regarding the above property.
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In a message seen by Edinburgh Live, council officials told Fraser: 'Just a quick e-mail to advise that enforcement notices were served on the property on Wednesday 21 May 2025. The property owner has until 25 June 2025 to appeal the notice.
'If he fails to do so by this date, then he would require to comply with its requirements i.e. cease the use of the property as a short term let by 25 July 2025.'
Councillor Joan Griffiths Planning Convener said: 'We have issued an enforcement notice requesting that the owner of this property ceases to use it as a short term let. They have until 24 July 2025 to comply with this notice unless they appeal.'
An Airbnb spokesperson said: 'We take feedback from local residents seriously, and this listing was temporarily suspended in line with our policies and the host has since taken steps to address this issue. Parties are banned on Airbnb and we may remove this listing if further policy violations occur.
"While issues on Airbnb are exceptionally rare, residents can contact us 24/7 via our neighbourhood support line and we investigate all reports received through this channel.'
