Airbnb, New York City, and Hosts: What Happens Now?
Photo Credit: A marketing image from Airbnb's website promoting New York City. Airbnb recently dropped its lawsuit against the city for the passage of a new law that would heavily fine its hosts who advertise illegal short-term rental listings on Airbnb's website. Airbnb
Skift Take
Who are the biggest casualties of Airbnb's latest battle with New York City? For now it's the hosts.
Airbnb and New York City certainly don't have a love affair with one another.
Even though New York City is the $30-billion company's number one market in the U.S., local government in New York has never rolled out the welcome mat to the short-term rental platform and its peers.
The past three years, in particular, have been fraught with a number of battles over what's legal or illegal when it comes to short-term rentals (note: it's mostly illegal), and what kind of an impact — both good and bad — these alternative accommodations are having for travelers and local communities.
And here at Skift, we've been there to chronicle each of them.
The most recent battle between New York City lawmakers and Airbnb came to an end on Dec. 2. That was when Airbnb decided to drop its lawsuit against New York City for the passage of a new advertising law that would heavily fine New Yorkers who advertise short-term rentals that are in violation of the city's Multiple Dwelling Law.
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