BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM/AP) -- Mayor Walsh is trying to crack down on the booming AirBnB industry in Boston by proposing tougher regulations on short term rentals in the city.
The amended citywide ordinance doesn't ban Air BnB's, but it eliminates investor owned apartments from being rented by the night.
Residents are allowed to rent a room in their own home, or a spare unit, short term, if they own and live in the property.
Boston Housing Chief Sheila Dillon says the goal is to preserve city housing stock, while balancing the growing demand for short term rentals. she says thousands of units have been sacrificed to those rentals.
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Airbnb has issued a statement, saying the proposed new regulations violate federal law, hurt middle class Bostonians and don't fully consider the input from families already using home sharing to pay the bills. they're urging Boston to create enforceable rules to regulate the entire industry similar to cities like Chicago, New Orleans and Seattle.
Statement from AirBnB:
"We are disappointed the city is pursuing an approach to home sharing rules that violates federal laws, harms middle class Bostonians, and doesn't fully consider the input from the thousands of families already using home sharing to pay the bills. We believe there is a better path forward that creates enforceable rules to regulate the entire industry -- similar to cities like Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle, among others -- while protecting affordable housing and neighborhood quality of life."
The Massachusetts House and Senate have passed separate bills that would regulate short-term rentals.
Airbnb has applauded the Senate bill, but said the House bill goes too far.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Kim Tunnicliffe reports.