AIRBNB has backed a proposal to crack down on raucous houses parties... helped by the University of Brighton.

As a city popular with tourists, residents have often found themselves sandwiched between short-term lets hosted by on online marketplaces.

Neighbours of such an address near Steine Gardens previously told The Argus how rowdy revellers were dispersed by police after a long night of screaming, urinating and drinking.

Incidents like this across the city have prompted growing calls prior to the pandemic for online platforms such as Airbnb to take action to combat the issues.

Now, the company believes it has found a solution using research from Brighton Professor, Marina Novelli.

The proposal calls for a national registration system with operators required to obtain a registration number from the government or a devolved authority in order to list their homes.

This would empower local authorities to notify platforms about issues with properties in their area.

Platforms can then individually, or collectively, to act.

This would prevent people from getting around rules by simply switching their listing to another platform or booking site.

Prof Novelli said: “Being involved in such critical research addressing some of the most pressing issues associated with the short-lets market is an important and timely endeavour.

"The consultation involving stakeholders from across the country led to a consensus that an accessible and effective registration is paramount."

In July last year, officers were called reports of a group brawl involving “a number of youths” at the Steine Gardens party.

Residents said that gathering was one of many over several nights and the revellers were the youngest they have seen so far.

The previous year, a “hot tub party house” in Patcham was served an abatement notice after a series of complaints.

But, for residents, it is not just disruption from house parties that causes issues.

Residents in North Laine said action must be taken to stop the neighbourhood turning into a “holiday camp”.

Chris Hayes, who lives next door to an Air BnB, said the area is becoming dominated by holidaymakers.

To address local housing concerns, the new proposal calls for new planning guidance that distinguishes between commercial and non-commercial activity.

This would help local authorities to use existing powers to grant permission or restrict activity in a more transparent and consistent way.

Mr Hayes said: "I believe that this will not stop the amount of Airbnbs taking over Brighton.

"Although it is a positive action that I agree with, it does not go far enough.

"What is needed, in my opinion, is that each AirBnB house has to go through planning for a change of use and are also subject to the amount of regulation that HMOs are."

The proposal for a new nationwide register is intended to help rebalance the economic benefits of short-term letting activity with concerns arising out of so-called "over-tourism" and housing concerns.

The city's tourism chief, councillor Martin Osborne, said: "This is a really positive step to see AirBnb backing calls for a registration scheme in the short term let (STL) sector.

"Currently authorities don’t know the locations and number of STLs in their areas.

"With a simple nationwide registration scheme, which all STL platforms would use, it would greatly improve transparency and drive up compliance to existing regulations already in place

"The additional recommendation for the government to clarify is what they consider the line between commercial and amateur short term lets, and then put this into national planning guidance, which is helpful too."

Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder of Airbnb, said: “For Airbnb to succeed, hosts must have the support of the communities they call home.

"That’s why we have always led calls for fair rules and today, we stand with cities across the UK to back the introduction of a nationwide registration system.

"City leaders, the tourism industry and Airbnb agree that in order to deliver more sustainable travel, protect housing, and support tourism innovation, the government must introduce a national register for short-term lets operators. It is the first and most vital step we must take.”