Airbnb Tries to Clear Away Political and Legal Challenges in New York and San Francisco
Skift Take
With its latest public policy efforts, Airbnb is inching toward legitimacy by being more willing to share information with cities. But is this enough to appropriately address the real issues, and will cities be willing to meet them halfway?
In two of Airbnb's biggest markets in the United States — San Francisco and New York City — the short-term rental giant is progressing with its efforts to address the issue of regulations, especially as the company, currently valued at $31 billion, continues on its path towards an initial public offering.
In its hometown of San Francisco, Airbnb and its fellow home-sharing platform HomeAway, today announced they have settled their suit with the city, agreeing to automatically register all local hosts in the city in compliance with short-term rental laws that went into effect in 2014.
And in New York City, Airbnb's largest market in the U.S., New York State assembly member Joseph R. Lentol (D-North Brooklyn) sponsored legislation over the weekend that would fundamentally change the city's current Multiple Dwelling Law regarding short-term rentals.
Speaking about Airbnb's settlement with the city of San Francisco, Airbnb Head of Public Policy Chris Lehane said, during a pre
