Short-term rentals News

Short-Term Rental Firms Move to Tighten Safety for Travelers

Expedia Group Inc.’s short-term rental business Vrbo has banned hosts who use its platform from leaving house keys in public places, and TripAdvisor Inc. is reviewing its safety policies to better protect travelers. The two companies said the moves were …

Massachusetts Lawmakers Approve Rental, Voter, Climate Bills as Deadline Looms

The Massachusetts Legislature gave final approval Monday to a bill that would tax and regulate short-term rentals, including those offered by Airbnb and other online platforms. After weeks of negotiations, House and Senate lawmakers reached agreement on the compromise bill …

Airbnb Sues City of Miami, Alleges Violation of Hosts’ First Amendment Rights

The homesharing platform Airbnb is suing the city of Miami, where officials threatened to crack down on hosts who publicly protested regulations prohibiting short-term rentals. According to the lawsuit filed Friday in Miami-Dade County by Airbnb and five individual hosts, …

Airbnb at Odds with Miami Mayor Over Homesharing Regulations

Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms face more restrictions in Miami, where the mayor plans for more aggressive enforcement of regulations prohibiting rentals of single-family homes in its residential areas. Amid spring break and days before the annual Ultra electronic music …

Airbnb’s New York Fight Moves From Legislature to Courtroom

Airbnb Inc. is fighting to stay alive in the biggest rental market in the U.S. Hours after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will fine residents who rent out their apartments for illegal short-term stays, …

‘Cool’ Austin Icy Toward Uber, Airbnb, Bristling Tech Sector

Austin, Texas, boasts a reputation as one of most cutting-edge cities in the U.S, but new local regulations on ride-hailing apps such as Uber and rental sites such as Airbnb are stirring discontent in the tech sector, where some entrepreneurs …

California Bay Area Town Bans Short-term Rentals

A picturesque town in the San Ramon Valley, Calif. has banned residents from operating short-term rentals. The Contra Costa Times reported that Danville’s town council voted 4-to-1 Tuesday to prohibit rentals of fewer than 30 days. The town’s attorney said …