A Glasgow landlord has demanded an extra $2000 from a potential tenant during COP26 despite having already agreed a rental deal.
The property owner told a shocked COP26 delegate he was concerned about missing out on a "great deal of money" after realising the booking coincided with the climate conference.
Tan Copsey, a senior director with an American organisation aimed at tackling climate change, is among the 25,000 international guests arriving in Glasgow next week.
He pre-booked a rental property in the city using Airbnb but was stunned to receive a sudden demand for extra payment from the landlord.
Sharing the correspondence on Twitter, Copsey said: "Having a great time with COP26 accommodation, this guy tried to add another $2000 to my booking. Lovely experience all-round."
In an email exchange, the unnamed landlord said: "I have been made aware that over the course of your stay the average room price has gone up 400% in my area.
"It troubles me that I have missed out on a great deal of money due to your early booking.
"I had meant to contact you earlier but was on holiday for three weeks recently and was distracted.
"I feel an additional $70 per night would be a fair adjustment in this case.
"If you care to look at alternative accommodations I understand.
"The average price per night for inferior lodgings is about £400."
Copsey cancelled the booking but said he had sourced an alternative place to stay for the duration of the conference.
He added: "We're going to be fine for accommodation. Thank you to all the lovely people who reached out."
The Record has previously reported how Glasgow faces an accommodation crisis amid claims that thousands of people are still looking for a place to stay ahead of the COP26 summit.
The international climate conference takes place at the SEC from October 31 and is billed as the largest political gathering ever held in the UK.
But there are fears environmental campaigners and activists from around the world may be priced out of attending due to rocketing rental costs and hotels being booked out.
More than 20 properties across Glasgow are currently being marketed for rent at £20,000 for the fortnight of COP26.
The Human Hotel network, launched as a non-profit alternative to Airbnb ahead of the 2019 COP summit in Chile, aims to find local accommodation for people travelling to Glasgow.
It said around 3,000 people were still looking for rooms ahead of the conference on Clydeside.
It comes as Scottish Greens minister Patrick Harvie recently issued a fresh appeal on behalf of those reliant on low-cost options.
Sixten Kai Nielsen, co-founder of Human Hotel, told the Record that sky-high Airbnb prices were putting off some activists from travelling to Scotland.
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