Airbnb Comes Up Short In New York Ruling
Skift Take
A New York state court judge dismissed an Airbnb lawsuit against New York City, ruling the city had a right to require host registration and licenses, and that it was reasonable to require that Airbnb — and other platforms — verify that listings have licenses, or face penalties.
A New York state court judge dismissed an Airbnb lawsuit against New York City, ruling the city had a right to require host registration and licenses, and that it was reasonable to require that Airbnb — and other platforms — verify that listings have licenses, or face penalties.
In Airbnb’s June lawsuit to block the enforcement of Local Law 18, it argued the rules were oppressive, and the registration requirements so burdensome as to amount to a de-facto ban on short-term rentals in the city.
Airbnb said it generated $85 million in revenue from the Big Apple in 2022, and a big chunk of that is at risk as the enforcement measures take effect September 5.
While some might argue the ruling is a victory for neighborhoods — the city received nearly 12,000 complaints from 2017-2021 — and a loss for short-term rental platforms, what’s clear is that it will crush the hopes of many tourists hoping to visit the city on the cheap. Air
