Neighbours at war over illegal Airbnb 'party pad': Builder and estate agent wife are banned from renting garden annexe as £240-a-night 'cosy cottage'

By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER and JORDANA SEAL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:20, 4 May 2026 | Updated: 01:20, 4 May 2026 A couple who rented out their back garden summer house as a £240-a-night Airbnb 'cosy cottage' have been ordered to stop - after neighbours complained how 'noisy strangers' were blighting their lives. Estate agent Vilma Arlauskaite, 44, and her builder fiance Nigel Horridge advertised the annexe behind their south London home as 'Our Little Retreat' - a romantic hideaway complete with a wood-fired hot tub, sauna, breakfast, robes and towels. They promised guests 'relaxation, rejuvenation and pure bliss' in a 'peaceful haven' where 'nature meets craftsmanship' - all while still being in the capital. But furious neighbours in Beckenham, near Bromley, said the reality was rather less blissful - complaining of noise, smoke, late-night parties and 'strangers' peering into their gardens from the 'eyesore' building. Complaining residents have finally won their fight to have it stopped as a Airbnb, after town hall planners launched enforcement action - claiming no planning permission was ever sought to run a commercial operation. Now, the couple have decided to relocate to France where they can build on bigger rental projects there. Neighbours said the smoke caused from the wood-burning hot tub would create 'excessive pollution' and stops them from hanging their washing or spending time outside Vilma Arlauskaite and her fiance Nigel Horridge have been ordered to stop renting out their back garden summer house after neighbours complained over the 'noisy strangers' But furious neighbours said 'strangers' could peer into their gardens from the 'eyesore' building that stood at 3.5metres The £240-a-night Airbnb 'cosy cottage' promised guests 'relaxation, rejuvenation and pure bliss' in a 'peaceful haven' where 'nature meets craftsmanship' 'It's a shame because of these angry people around us...just the energy of the jealousy. Honestly I think it's unreasonable,' Ms Arlauskaite told the Daily Mail. Neighbours claimed the two-floor 3.5m-tall structure towered over their gardens, despite being described online as a 'tiny home'. One told Bromley Council: 'It is continually rented out to noisy strangers, which creates a lot of disturbance to the surrounding properties. 'It is also hired out, along with the garden, for parties and events, where they have bright lights, music, singing, and other loud anti-social noise. 'It has a wood-burning fire installed, as well as a wood-fired sauna, which both create excessive pollution with large amounts of strong smelling black smoke through the air. 'The odour can be so strong that we can't leave our washing out to dry, we have to close our windows, and are not able to sit in our own garden. 'The owners have built this large holiday home rental without permission and with complete disregard for how it may affect their surrounding neighbours.' Another neighbour, Salim Bemnouhoub, said the Airbnb's Velux window had a 'direct view' into his family's garden, with birthday, gender-reveal parties and BBQs causing misery. He wrote in an objection to a refused retrospective planning application: 'Loud anti-social partying behaviour is a common occurrence especially during the summer. 'It is disturbing our day to day life, to the point where we cannot leave our windows open during the summer or enjoy our garden in peace.' He told the Daily Mail: 'The issue is that its not just an AirBnB but its just so high. There is a window and people can look into our garden. 'And in the summer, we have all our windows open but they burn the sauna with wood and it smells. 'I don't mind if someone is having a BBQ in the garden but for someone to rent it as an AirBnB every two seconds making noise all night... 'We all have sheds but they are having parties. They rent it for people to have a party, that's where is the problem. Salim said they had a good relationship before but the 'minute this one went up that's when everything went sour'.  'They said it was for a yoga calm space, but it wasn't they just said it to get permission. 'This is the thing, they put it on social media like "come and and party in this place".'  'They've put their problems right next to their neighbour, but if you want to do business why don't you put it up by you?'  Kurt Bennett, whose home lies just metres from the Airbnb, told the Mail that his father, John, was diagnosed with cancer a similar time to the construction of the shed. 'The neighbours said it was just for them and my dad said "ah ok, if it's just for you, we can look over it because we like you". 'But then they said they would rent it out and my dad was like "hold on, we let you build this on the trust we had that it would be just them". In the months leading up to his passing, Kurt said his father did not want to spend time outside due to the 'row'. 'Its just the fear that knowing if you go outside they can probably hear you, see you, there's no privacy.'  However John was able to write in the complaint before he died that the shed 'totally engulfed our garden, stolen our light and our view'. He told the council: 'These strangers have been known to look out the window and tease our dog. When this window is open we can hear everything within this bedroom, and we [mean] everything!' Mr Horridge, 43, built the annexe and began letting it out to customers in 2022 despite not having planning permission for the structure. A retrospective application was initially refused - but granted on appeal, under the condition that the outbuilding was for residential use. John Bennett said that the shed 'totally engulfed our garden, stolen our light and our view' Ms Arlauskaite said that the shed was initially built as a 'workshop' and a 'covid project' and then it 'naturally evolved' to becoming an AirBnB Ms Arlauskaite said 'when guests come it is usually only two people, there are no parties', and always reminded them to be conscious of noise for the neighbours Bromley Council then took enforcement action on 2024, alleging that the summer house was being let out on a commercial basis. Ms Arlauskaite told the Mail that the disgruntled neighbours 'never approached us to say something...they're just jealous because they called us greedy'.  The top rated AirBnB host then produced the guest book, which had dozens of charming messages commending the 'cosy' bungalow. In defence of the 'strangers', she said 'you can see from the reviews, they were all very decent people'. 'And this is proof, and if you look on our Airbnb reviews, everyone is leaving five star reviews.'  One glowing review said: 'This place is a hidden gem, private and cosy. Hot tub was soo nice and the projector and screen made it feel like a theatre with a perfect view from the pullout bed.' Another guest wrote: 'Perfect retreat from normal city life, very relaxing space, had such a great time sitting in the hot tub looking at stars.' Ms Arlauskaite said 'when guests come it is usually only two people, there are no parties', and always reminded them to be conscious of noise for the neighbours. 'If there are gatherings they are our friends, so it's not like we invite loads of strangers into our garden for a party, no it's our party. 'Of course in summer we have BBQs, but it's not like late nights, drunk and loud music. 'We had ourselves a couple of times parties, probably about five years ago, which were loud, a little bit loud. But, come on, it happens, right?  'Some neighbours also have some loud music here and that's absolutely fine. How is that a bad thing?' The Airbnb listing - which still remains online - boasted that the retreat could sleep two adults on a mezzanine bed and promised 'luxurious comfort'. Daytime stays were also advertised, with a minimum charge of £150 for two people for three hours, while BBQ dinners could be arranged at extra cost. Ms Arlauskaite clarified that the smoke used to heat the hot tube was kiln dried wood 'which is allowed' and 'does smoke for like 10 minutes until it gets hot and then it stops'.  She continued: 'I feel like we are giving such a nice experience for people, it's a good vibe. 'We had an engagement here once, a man proposed, but it was not like a party with loud music, it was just a beautiful experience, people coming together.' Ms Arlauskaite said that the shed was initially built as a 'workshop' and a 'covid project' and then it 'naturally evolved' to becoming an AirBnB. In reference to the height, Ms Arlauskaite acknowledged that 'it is higher than it's supposed to be' but said that they now have retrospective permission from the council for being 3.5metres. 'But the thing is that it doesn't really matter, it doesn't impose on their light because they have a big tree anyway.' But now that they no do not have permission to rent the space out, the building is just used for family members who visit, the estate agent said, before adding that she and her partner now had plans to move to France and renovate a building there instead. While the listing had a 4.99 rating - and ranked as one of Airbnb's 'most loved' homes - neighbours were far less enthused. Another neighbour, Linda Charles, branded the Airbnb an 'eyesore', adding: 'It has totally ruined our neighbourhood'. She wrote to the council: 'We now have bright lights shinning throughout the night, dogs barking and loads of children and adults partying. As I am an elderly lady this has caused me considerable stress.'    Mr Horridge and his wife challenged the enforcement notice at the independent Planning Inspectorate, claiming that there had been no 'material change of use' of the annexe. He claimed 'holiday letting does not cause any more harm' than occupation by a member of his family. But planning inspector Eileen Griffin ruled that the hot tub, sauna, decking, patio heater and outdoor seating were likely to encourage guests to spend long periods outside, including late at night. She said: 'If guests are in occupation for two nights in the outbuilding, they will want to make full use of the private outdoor facilities for which they have paid. 'The use of the outdoor hot tub and sauna building together with an outdoor table and chairs, patio heater and extensive decking is likely to be popular. There is likely to be late night use and concentrated use of outdoor facilities over a short period of time.' Ms Griffin concluded the Airbnb use harmed neighbours’ living conditions 'with particular regard to noise and disturbance'. She added: 'As part of this appeal, the nearest occupiers on Upper Elmers End Road have set out their concerns. 'They refer to the presence of the hot tub and sauna meaning wood burners are used which generates ‘toxic smoke,’ not being able to sit in their gardens, being able to hear loud conversations in the garden, not being able to put washing out due to the smoke and having to keep windows shut in summer. 'Noise from the hot tub is also an issue with ‘loud humming from the pumps.’ 'They emphasise the proximity of their gardens and bedrooms in comparison to the appellant who may be unaware of any disturbance particularly if they sleep at the front of their property.' Mr Horridge had argued any harm could be controlled by limiting stays to two adults, capping rentals at 90 nights a year and keeping a register for council officers. But the inspector rejected the proposals, saying limiting use to 90 nights 'does not address the harm that can occur for 90 nights'. The appeal was dismissed, the enforcement notice was upheld, and permission to continue the commercial letting was refused. Mr Horridge and Ms Arlauskaite now have one month to comply. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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