So I live in a touristy part of Scotland, and my street is absolutely overrun with “secondary lets” (i.e. someone buys a house in addition to their normal home, and instead of being a normal scumlord, they turn it into a short term rental situation like AirBnB). If you search on my street on booking.com or airbnb, there’s a total of 9 that I’m able to count-- and we’re a small street! And the next door neighbour has posted a notice on their window that they’re seeking a licence to become an AirBnB themselves.

Things of note:

  • They’re already operating as a short term let. And it’s obnoxious. And eroding the community spirit of the, well, community. Because a tourist here for a week is not a member of the street’s community.
  • When I say next door, I mean I live in a semi-detached house, so this airbnb is/“would be” literally attached to my house. (Americans, think duplex if that terminology is more familiar)
  • I literally have not been able to meet the owner of this airbnb in the year I’ve lived here, which sucks because hey, I like to know my neighbours! But also because we had a rat problem in winter and their side of the building had a massive gaping hole in the front exterior wall, which the exterminator wanted to fill but couldn’t because it wasn’t our property. We left letters for the owner, even just to introduce ourselves, no dice. I’m salty, yes.

So on to the point of this post. I submitted an objection to this licencing, and was informed of its safe receipt today! But uh they also said in the email “there will be a meeting to discuss the licencing, you are invited to attend and make your objections in person”

I’m not exactly a stranger to public speaking, or trying to be persuasive. But I’m autistic as fuck, out of practice with said public speaking, and also like 8 months pregnant. But I recognise that showing up to speak is going to be influential, moreso than my letter. So I’m gonna haul my pregnant autistic ass to the wherever and make my statements. I do feel like being a heavily pregnant person is going to help my case from an emotional standpoint? Who knows.

But oh god. I’m nervous. I want to have solid facts, solid arguments behind my case. I don’t want to come off as a petty NIMBY, I want to present myself as someone who cares about communities being eroded, who cares about people being unable to find affordable housing because everyone and their cat wants an airbnb, and I want to have sources to back myself up. I just feel a bit lost in finding those sources and knowing what to say. Heck, I don’t even know what the council will ask! Or expect! Or what it’ll be like!

I am taking any and all advice. I’ll also be scrubbing the identifying details from my objection letter and sharing it in a comment here, if that’s helpful at all.

Do note: “You can do it!” is also a VERY welcome comment right now.

  • mhmmm@slrpnk.netEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    I’m not sure I can help with the content of your speech, because I’m not very knowledgable in this area - but for what it’s worth, your argument in writing is, I think, well thought-out and touches on many concerns that should be quite popular with a city council. Also because I think subletting of the air-bnb typically means less taxes for the town when compared with a hotel or similar, at least in some areas. Residents complaining as well, with reasons both personal and communal, probably strengthens their case against that (which they might have).

    In short - I totally think you can do this! And I think being invited to council, if it’s not standard procedure, could be a sign that they want to give your issue more visibility, so they can help you (and thus themselves) better! (And yes, in that case, being heavily pregnant is probably also a big advantage, indeed.)

    Good luck!