Couple Faces £25,000 Loss as Tenant Illegally Sublets Flat on Airbnb

Robert Mathias and Yasmina Mathias, a couple from West London, are encountering financial difficulties after their tenant began subletting their basement flat as an Airbnb without their consent. This situation has left them feeling uncomfortable in their home, prompting them to take security precautions like double-locking their front door. Despite their efforts to resolve the issue, the tenant has stopped paying rent, and legal actions have led to significant expenses. The Mathias couple, both working from home, had planned to retire but now find their plans jeopardized. They estimate that they may be left with a £25,000 deficit due to unpaid rents and legal fees as they attempt to evict their tenant. Their ongoing struggles have caused stress-related health issues for Yasmina, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation. Their problems escalated when Robert encountered guests arriving for an Airbnb reservation, realizing that the subletting had turned the flat into a revolving door for strangers. It was then they discovered the flat listed on multiple vacation rental platforms, such as Vrbo and Booking.com, sometimes priced as high as £180 per night. Faced with the prospect of losing their home and being in debt, they voiced concerns over legal discrepancies that allow tenants to have more rights than landlords. The couple is now left considering the drastic option of selling their house to escape the situation they never anticipated.