Airbnb is a platform that allows people to rent out their homes or properties to travelers and tourists. It has been a subject of controversy in many cities, with some arguing that it disrupts housing and communities, while others see it as a way to make extra income or provide affordable accommodations.
According to Inside Airbnb, a project that provides data and advocacy about Airbnb's impact on residential communities, the majority of Airbnb listings in most cities are entire homes, many of which are rented all year round. This has led to concerns about the impact on housing and communities, particularly in neighborhoods with high concentrations of short-term rentals.
In New York City, for example, a new law (Local Law 18) has been implemented to regulate short-term rentals, requiring hosts to register with the city and limiting the number of guests to two. This has been seen as a "de facto ban" on Airbnb's business in the city.
Other cities have taken different approaches to regulating short-term rentals, such as limiting the number of days a property can be rented out on Airbnb, requiring licenses for short-term rentals, or banning them altogether. For example, San Francisco limits the amount of time someone can list their entire residence for rent on Airbnb to 90 days each year, while Amsterdam puts that limit at 30 nights per year.
Overall, the impact of Airbnb on housing and communities is a complex issue, and different cities are taking different approaches to regulating the platform.
