Short-Term Holiday Rentals in Residential Streets

The question

How to approach this discuss both views question

A discuss-both-views essay asks you to explain two opinions fairly and then give your own.

1. Introduce both views and say you will discuss them.
2. Paragraph 1: the first view with reasons and an example.
3. Paragraph 2: the second view with reasons and an example.
4. State your own opinion clearly (in the introduction or conclusion) and keep it consistent.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Introduction: paraphrase the growth of short-term holiday lets and state your answer: in most busy towns the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, unless the practice is regulated.
2. Body 1: the advantages, covering extra income for owners, spending by visitors in local shops and cafés, and accommodation for families or groups.
3. Body 2: the disadvantages, covering fewer homes for long-term residents, rising rents, noise for neighbours and flats that stand empty for much of the year.
4. Body 3: weigh the two sides by showing that scale matters, and that rules such as limits on nights per year can keep some benefits.
5. Conclusion: restate your answer clearly and explain the condition under which the advantages would outweigh the disadvantages.

Idea bank

• A homeowner who lets a spare room to visitors for a few weeks a year, which causes little harm to the community.
• A tourist district where whole flats are let out permanently, removing homes from the local rental market.
• Neighbours disturbed by late-night parties and constant changes of guests in a residential block.
• Local cafés and shops that benefit from visitors in quiet months, which is a real advantage for the economy.
• Counter-argument: owners who rent out their flats to earn a living may argue that they are simply making use of their own property.

Useful vocabulary

• to outweigh: In a city with a housing shortage, the harm can outweigh the financial gain.
• to drive up rents: A large number of holiday lets can drive up rents for long-term tenants.
• to displace local residents: Holiday lets sometimes displace local residents from their own neighbourhoods.
• to supplement income: Letting a spare room is a common way to supplement income.
• a shortage of long-term lets: A shortage of long-term lets forces families to move further from work.
• to be subject to regulation: Short-term lets may be subject to regulation in some cities.
• to tip the balance: A strict cap on nights could tip the balance in favour of residents.
• a nuisance for neighbours: Constant changes of guests can become a nuisance for neighbours.
• to cap the number of: Some councils cap the number of nights a property can be let out.
• to weigh one side against the other: A fair answer weighs one side against the other rather than simply listing points.

Common mistakes

• Discussing only one side in detail, which leaves the question of whether advantages outweigh disadvantages unanswered.
• Ending without a clear answer, such as 'it depends', without explaining what it depends on.
• Generalising from one city or one flat to all holiday lets everywhere.
• Listing points without weighing them, which earns less credit than a judgement supported by reasons.

Examiner tip: Make your answer explicit in the conclusion and name the condition that would change it, such as regulation or the scale of lettings. This shows judgement, not just a list.