A Boston city councilor wants to take a closer look at the practices of several short-term rental websites after hearing complaints ranging from raging parties to homes and apartments where tenants cycle through like revolving doors.
"I had constituents call and complain about people coming into their neighborhoods. One person said that new people were moving into an apartment every week," said City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina, who today will ask for a fall hearing regarding companies such as Airbnb, Flipkey and HomeAway. "Another person had concerns about people moving in weekly and throwing loud parties in the backyard. I just get more and more phone calls."
Airbnb and other similar companies connect homeowners with short-term renters in a practice that has caused controversy in other cities. San Francisco and Portland, Ore., have started assessing hotel taxes on the rentals, according to LaMattina, and Chicago and New Orleans are considering regulations.
Locally, Quincy authorities recently fined a homeowner using Airbnb for a zoning violation, according to City Solicitor James Timmons.
"We haven't gotten into the bigger picture of how Airbnb works in Quincy as a whole," Timmons said. "We're approaching this on a fundamental level. If a homeowner lives in a certain zoning district, they can't do this. They can't allow people who aren't related to them to lodge and pay to stay."
An Airbnb spokesman said the company stands behind its service.
"We've been speaking with leaders in Boston and look forward to addressing their questions and ensuring the sharing economy continues to thrive," said spokesman Nick Papas.
LaMattina said he hasn't yet passed judgment on Airbnb, but he wants to meet with the Fire Department, the Inspectional Services Department and others to see where the company fits in.
"I just want to learn about it and see if it's legal," he said. "We need to see what controls there are in this industry."
Airbnb said it has controls in place, including requiring hosts "to agree to comply with all local laws and building codes," according to a statement.
Companies such as Airbnb, which boasts more than 17 million visitors, "aren't a flash in the pan. They're here to stay," according to an expert.
"You can't say these are trends. That's a bit naive," said John Fareed, a Florida-based hotel consultant. "They have a following among consumers in a big way. They have an edge. They're seen as an opportunity for the people, and I think they appear to be a viable underdog."
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