A recent study has identified a significant correlation between the rise of Airbnb rentals and increased crime rates in London neighborhoods. The research highlights the potential social consequences of short-term letting platforms in urban environments.
A comprehensive study by the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania has revealed a troubling correlation between the proliferation of Airbnb rentals and increased crime rates in London neighborhoods. The research, published in the journal Criminology, presents compelling data indicating that a surge in short-term lettings may contribute to higher incidents of robberies and violent crimes.
Over the three-year period from 2015 to 2018, researchers found a “positive association” between the number of Airbnb properties and increased crime rates.
“We tested for the most plausible alternative explanations, from changes in police patrols to tourist hotspots and even football matches. Nothing changed the core finding that Airbnb rentals are related to higher crime rates in London neighborhoods,” co-author Dr. Charles Lanfear, an assistant professor at the Institute of Criminology in the University of Cambridge, said in a news release
The study suggests that a 10% increase in active Airbnb rentals in the city correlates with an additional 1,000 robberies per year. The research mapped data from AirDNA, a site that aggregates information on Airbnb activity, onto London’s Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs), small neighborhoods used for census and urban planning purposes.
While examining crime statistics from the UK Home Office and Greater London Authority, the researchers discovered that the most significant increases in crime were in categories such as robbery and burglary. They found an average additional Airbnb property to be associated with a 2% increase in robbery rates within an LSOA, with similar but slightly lower increases observed for theft, burglary and violence.
The correlation identified suggests that the increase in crime is largely related to opportunities created by the presence of short-term rentals, rather than just a breakdown in community cohesion.
“Crime seems to go up as soon as Airbnbs appear and stays elevated for as long as they are active. A single Airbnb rental can create different types of criminal opportunity,” added Lanfear.
The researchers considered various external factors, such as property prices, police patrols and major event attendance, to ensure the robustness of their findings. Even after adjusting for these factors, the association between Airbnb listings and crime rates held firm.
Despite measures taken by Airbnb to mitigate criminal activity, such as background checks and limits on one-night bookings during high-risk days, the study indicates that the impact of short-term rentals on crime remains significant.
“The fact that we still find an increase in crime despite Airbnb’s efforts to curtail it reveals the severity of the predicament,” co-author David Kirk, a professor in the Department of Criminology and Research Associate of the Population Studies Center at the University of Pennsylvania, said in the news release.
The study’s findings underscore the need for careful consideration of the social implications of short-term letting platforms.
“Short-term letting sites such as Airbnb create incentives for landlords that lead to property speculation, and we can see the effect on urban housing markets. We can now see that the expansion of Airbnb may contribute to city crime rates,” Lanfear added.
With more than 5 million properties available in over 100,000 cities worldwide, Airbnb’s rapid growth since its founding in 2008 has not been without controversy. Growing concerns about its impact on housing affordability and community dynamics have led to calls for increased regulation, as evidenced by resident backlashes in major cities like Barcelona.
Ultimately, the research highlights a significant urban challenge: mitigating the negative consequences of a burgeoning short-term rental market.
As Lanfear put it, “It is not the company or even the property owners who experience the criminogenic side effects of Airbnb, it is the local residents building their lives in the neighborhood.”
The study, adds critical insight into the broader discussion on the future of urban living and the regulation of digital economy giants.