A HOMEOWNER has claimed a growing number of holiday flats in Edinburgh are in danger of turning the city into a "heartless transit camp".
It is claimed the number of short term holiday lets in popular tourist areas is increasing, bringing a "constant stream" of holiday makers.
The short term let is particularly popular with visiting stag and hen parties as other establishments refuse to take such groups because they are associated with drunkeness and noise.
The holiday flat let also means larger groups can all stay in one place rather than being situated in different hotels or bed and breakfast hotels.
Dr Colin MacFadyen, who lives in the Grassmarket, has become fed-up with the number of holiday lets which he says is ruining the area as, in addition to the noise, maintenance and shared repairs can also be problematic with absentee owners.
He has raised the issue with Edinburgh City Council which has moved in the past to tackle concerns over party flats, which are typically more short term lets than holiday flats.
Flats range in size but a property on the Royal Mile will start at £250 per night.
Mr MacFadyen claimed flats are being bought up by absentee landlords to broaden the holiday let industry.
However some families who move because of work and keep a mortgage in the city have also let their homes as holiday rentals.
It is estimated holiday lets can be occupied up to 70 per cent of the time and less expensive lets such as a flat in Leith for between £80 and £130 per night.
Mr MacFadyen said: "In Edinburgh over the past few years it is evident that many city centre flats as soon as they go on the market are being snapped-up and used as short term internet holiday flat rentals.
"This is particularly the case in tourist hot spots such as the Grassmarket and Royal Mile.
"With the number of owner-occupiers declining tenement residential communities in the city centre are now sadly diminished.
"Home owners are having to deal with the nuisance of living beside a constant stream of noisy and disruptive holiday-makers and are struggling communicating with absentee owners to effect building repairs."
He continued: "Owner-occupiers are being regarded by absentee owners as little more than handy caretakers of sorts for their Edinburgh property investments and as local colour for their holiday guests.
"With more and more disaffected residents moving away, it is entirely foreseeable that much of Edinburgh city centre housing stock, will be lost to absentee owners and used as short term internet holiday flat rentals."
"The City of Edinburgh Council needs to give this matter serious attention if they do not wish our capital city to turn into a heartless transit camp."
The council moved previously to clampdown on party flats that were the subject of public complaints over their use as short-stay businesses rented out for events such as stag and hen parties.
The local authority was granted permission to take control of a number of flats being operated for such events.
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