So said one Bedford-Stuyvesant Airbnb host who has been utilizing the San Francisco-based apartment sharing service for the past six years – about the time the company first entered the New York City market.
The host’s comments, who refused to give their name, in part out of fear of government retribution, was contacted in response to the battle between the City Council and Airbnb over the company’s refusal to give them personal data on residents or hosts that utilize the company for short-term residential rental activity.
“What business is it [of government] to go after hosts after the fact. Instead of going back and trying to penalize for whats wrong, why not regulate it (the industry) properly and move forward from there,” said the host. “Airbnb should stand their ground. This is something obviously new to the city’s economy, and it has opened up a lot of opportunity for people.”
The host said they registered with the state and always paid hotel taxes and applicable fees. When they first started utilizing Airbnb they rented out an entire apartment, but now only rent out their condo, which is illegal if they rent it out for 30 days or less.
“The law is pretty confusing because you can register as an apt/hotel with the state of New York and pay a hotel tax, but still be in violation of the law when you rent it out,” said the host. “According to the law if you own a condo and decide you want to list it on Airbnb, and rent it out by the day it is illegal, but if you live in a rented apartment you should be allowed to rent out the extra room and pay a hotel tax. If I own a property, I should be able to rent anyway I want to.”
The host acknowledged that there are those that abuse the current regulations, but overall the new business sector brings thousands of dollars into communities like Bed-Stuy from tourists looking for a real American experience.
There are many nuanced issues regarding how companies like Airbnb work and it would be far better for the government to work out these nuances into well thought out and stated regulations instead of looking back and trying to penalize people, the host said.
