Shark trouble: Headington shark house owner banned from Airbnb

The homeowner of a residence featuring a conspicuous 25ft shark emerging from its roof has been prohibited from leasing it on Airbnb due to the absence of planning approval from the local council. Oxford council authorities have directed Magnus Hanson-Heine to cease renting out the property, globally known as the 'Headington Shark House,' for short-term holidays. They contend that he neglected to request planning permission to alter the use of the terraced home from permanent to temporary residence.

This renowned house, holding protected heritage status, has been offered on Airbnb for several years, commanding a nightly rate exceeding £1,000 during peak times. It gained fame and became a photographic focal point in Oxford after Magnus's father, Bill, installed the 'Jaws'-like shark in 1986 as a protest against warfare and bombing. Crafted from fiberglass and steel by sculptor John Buckley, it was erected on the anniversary of the Nagasaki atomic bomb.

A protracted six-year planning battle ensued, concluding when then Environment Secretary Michael Heseltine granted permission for the structure to remain after a personal visit. Despite Magnus's objection, the Shark House was added to the Oxford Heritage Asset Register last year.

Council chiefs in Oxford have ordered Magnus Hanson-Heine to stop renting out the property - known worldwide as the 'Headington Shark House' - as a short-term holiday let

However, a recent investigation by Oxford City Council into planning law violations prompted instructions to remove the property from Airbnb. Magnus has appealed this decision to the National Planning Inspectorate and plans to continue operations until the appeal is heard in six months.

The statue was installed on the top of the house in 1986 (Image: Magnus Hanson-Heine)

Expressing his intent to contest the ban, Magnus questions the arbitrary nature of being singled out, suggesting a possible vendetta. He highlights the house's five-year history as an Airbnb rental and questions the timing of the enforcement action.

Original owner of the Headington shark house Bill Heine who passed away in 2019

Magnus emphasizes the significance of the Shark House as a unique piece of Oxford's history, arguing that closing it as an Airbnb would be a considerable loss to the city's distinctive tourism offerings. He argues that laws governing short-term rentals need clarification and updating, especially considering platforms like Airbnb.

In response to the council's enforcement actions, Councillor Linda Smith underscores the need to regulate properties transitioned from residential to short-term let businesses without planning approval. Smith argues that Oxford, facing a housing affordability crisis, cannot afford to lose residential properties to short-term holiday rentals. She encourages landlords to seek planning permission to regularize their property's use, emphasizing the council's commitment to enforcing against unapproved short-term lets.

You can learn more about the Headington shark at https://www.headingtonshark.com/

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