Airbnb Changing Policies To Appease Regulators, Prevent Fine Bill's Passing
The bill that would impose fines of up to $7,500 on illegal Airbnb operators sits on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk, but Airbnb’s doing everything it can to prevent its passing, including offering concessions to appease regulators.
Starting Nov. 1, the home-sharing company will institute a policy that forces hosts to list only one apartment for rent and will start a “three strikes policy” that will permanently ban repeat offenders. It's also developing a database that NYC hosts will have to register with, the New York Daily News reports.
Airbnb global policy head Chris Lehane announced that the $30B company’s also lobbying the state legislature for the power to collect and remit taxes on its listings.
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who has expressed her criticism with Brian Chesky’s (pictured) site in the past, says she won’t play games with "hardworking New York families' lives" and Airbnb needs to realize that any affordable housing unit used for Airbnb prevents a family from finding a home.
Cuomo has until the 29th to sign or veto the bill. [NYDN]
