Airbnb Urges NYC to Scale Back Short-Term Rental Regulations

Airbnb Inc. is urging New York City officials to scale back a local regulation that outlawed most of its short-term rental listings when it came into effect nearly a year ago, citing impacts on travelers and hosts.

In a blog post on Tuesday, Airbnb said New York City’s Local Law 18 regulation, which requires short-term rental hosts to obtain a license from the city verifying compliance with strict occupancy rules and building codes, has “failed to deliver on the promise to combat the housing crisis.” Rents in New York have continued to rise while travelers are left with fewer accommodation ...