Skift Take
Airbnb would like to focus on expanding its product into more aspects of travel, but it's going to keep its lobbyists and lawyers very happy the rest of this year and into the next.
Just days after receiving the bill on his desk, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a piece of legislation directly designed to crackdown on illegal short-term rentals and the growth of illegal hotels in the city and the state.
The bill, A08074/S6340, which went into effect immediately, heavily fines hosts on Airbnb and other short-term rental sites like HomeAway, FlipKey, and VRBO, who post listings that violate the state’s laws on short-term rentals. The law has a penalty of up to $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second violation, and $7,500 for the third and subsequent violations.
Josh Meltzer, head of New York Public Policy for Airbnb said, "In typical fashion, Albany back-room dealing rewarded a special interest -- the price-gouging hotel industry -- and ignored the voices of tens of thousands of New Yorkers. A majority of New Yorkers have embraced home sharing, and we will continue to fight for a smart policy solution that works for the the people, not the powerful. We are filing a lawsuit in New York this afternoon."
Proponents of the bill, including New York State Senator Liz Krueger, were pleased with Cuomo's decision to approve the bill.
"Today is a great day for tenants, seniors, and anyone who values the safe and quiet enjoyment of their homes and neighborhoods. It is also a huge victory for regular New Yorkers over the interests of a $30-billion dollar corporation. For too long companies like Airbnb have encouraged illegal activity that takes housing off the market and makes our affordability crisis worse. They have sat idly by while unw
