Los Angeles Hosts Collect $43.1M in Rent, Airbnb Says

Short-term housing rentals are growing in Los Angeles – and so is the debate around them.

“Home sharing” industry giant Airbnb has released a study showing its website helped nearly 4,500 “hosts” rent out rooms or homes in the city of Los Angeles over a 12-month period ending in April. The hosts collected $43.1 million in rent.

The Los Angeles Times reported the study comes as City Council members are calling for tighter regulations on short-term rental arrangements.

The Airbnb study found guests and hosts directly or indirectly spent $312 million, enough to support 2,600 jobs.

Yet while business booms concerns have risen over zoning laws, neighborhood preservation, taxes and a squeezing of the broader housing market. City Council members have asked the city to study short-term rental laws.