Airbnb Hosts Clash With Hotel Industry Over LA's Possible New Rules
LA may be getting closer to regulating short-term rentals, including Airbnb.
Hundreds showed up at Tuesday's LA Planning and Land Use Management Committee meeting to protest the possibility of the city limiting hosts to renting out their homes for up to 180 days out of the year, KPCC reports.
The majority of hosts rent their homes for less than that amount of time, according to city officials. They said putting a cap on the number would help reduce nuisance complaints.
Union workers and members of the hotel industry are in favor of a cap to help protect hotel jobs.
Under the rules, the number of rooms a host can rent would also be limited, and guests would only be allowed to stay in hosts' primary residences.
Hospitality professionals say it is unfair Airbnb does not have to follow the same safety and other regulations as hotels. Airbnb hosts complained at the meeting the move would take away an important source of income for them.
After the committee weighs in on the issue again later this summer, the LA City Council will cast the final vote.
