I guarantee this is really about lobbying municipalities to stop blocking the service for avoiding hotel taxes and regulation.
I disagree. There have been some really outlandish cases recently of unapologetic racism toward minority Airbnb customers that have made the national news. They’ve been desperately trying to get out in front of it only to have one case after another come to light. Airbnb has a real problem on their hands and I commend them for trying to deal with it.
Airbnb? What would they want with Holder, one of our worst AG’s ever? They’re not employing narco death squads to slaughter Colombian peasants are they?
Ex-Bush White House Republicans go to work for Defense Contractors or K-Street Lobbying firms.
Ex-Obama White House Democrats go to work for Silicon Valley Millennials and Venture Capital firms.
I think there’s an element of both here. I’ve read about a few instances of what appears to be blatant discrimination – and what a coup to get AG Holder to work on this, because you know he’s going to be very thorough and not leave much wiggle room for anyone (and that’s good!).
To a much smaller degree, I think there’s also likely an element of using Holder’s expertise (being the nation’s top prosecutor at one time) on the subject of different states’ and cities’ desire to regulate and tax these transactions like they would any other hotel/motel within their jurisdiction. Over the years, they’ve had big tussles in San Francisco and NYC, I’m sure you know. I feel they’ll use this opportunity to pick Holder’s brain about the topic.
While I’m not anti-Airbnb, I am more of the feeling they should be regulated accordingly based upon whichever state or city the unit exists.
This. Exactly. Discrimination is a problem on air bnb but if you think from the platforms perspective what their biggest problem is, its definitely regulation.
How many sponsored facebook posts have you seen regarding anecdotes of people being able to keep their homes by letting them out on air bnb vs projecting inclusiveness and non-discrimation?
Air bnb’s money is all about fighting the law. Its likely they hope they can nip any further litigation in the bud by addressing discrimination early. Because if minorities can’t rent rooms, it hurts air bnb’s bottom line. but not as much as being boxed out of NYC.
To back up that last point: Schatz, Feinstein, & Warren last week wrote the FTC to investigate the effects of services like AirBnb and others on the surroundings of those who rent their properties through them. Here
Airbnb should be regulated like any real estate agenf. Except for the length of stay involved, Airbnb’s functions online look like that of a housing agent. I recently used Airbnb for a 3 week stay, and the problems I encountered including a fraudulent landlord (host in Airbnb speak) could have easily been avoided if Airbnb had been held accountable for who they allowed to post properties for rent. Regulation would hold Airbnb to account. Right now, they say it is not their responsibility if you encounter issues with landlords. That should not be acceptable. Regulate them like any housing agent.