Case study A Westminster leaseholder was found guilty of advertising his council property on Booking.com and Airbnb, after we took him to a tribunal. We received continuous complaints from neighbours within the block about noise and the new subtenants occupying the property. A link was also found on Booking.com advertising the property for short letting purposes. After numerous attempts to resolve the issue with the leaseholder, the matter was referred to our legal team due to breach covenants, the legal team for breaching the terms of the lease. Madhukar Kothari, the leaseholder, was found to have breached the lease agreement by using his council property as a business through short-term letting his flat. He was advertising his flat on Booking.com and Airbnb. To build a case, we used confirmation emails from Booking.com and Airbnb, provided by tourists staying at the property, which listed the full address, proving it was being used as a short-term let. The advert was still listed on Booking.com and Airbnb at the time of the hearing, which was also used as evidence. On 8 January 2020, the tribunal found in our favour. We have now received notification of an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), and long-term tenants are now in situ. The property is actively monitored to ensure no short letting does not occur. Westminster City Council Madhukar Kothari VS Menu Menu 11