OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE

LONDON

❚ Airbnb-commissioned research found home-sharing remained small-scale relative to London’s housing stock, but could reduce housing supply in the future. As a result, London authorities and Airbnb worked together to impose a 90-day limit on Airbnb rentals. However, some landlords are reportedly getting around this by using other rental sites to book additional days.

BERLIN

❚ In May 2016, a new law banned Berliners from letting whole properties for short-term tourist rentals without a permit, in order to return ‘‘misappropriated’’ apartments to the people. However, the ban is clearly not working – Airdna puts the number of active entire home rentals at 9676.

SYDNEY

❚ A 2017 Tenants’ Union report found Airbnb was not significantly impacting Sydney’s long-term rental market.

However, University of Sydney research estimated Airbnb had removed about 6000 properties from Sydney’s long-term rental market, and had potential to increase pressures on rents. Author Nicole Gurran called for better zoning and development controls.

NEW YORK

❚ 2016 report commissioned by affordable housing groups found permanent short-term rentals on sites like Airbnb were reducing available housing stock by 10 per cent. More than half the listings were illegal under New York regulations, and 30 per cent were listed by commercial hosts, the report found.

SAN FRANCISCO

❚ In June 2017, Airbnb sued San Francisco to prevent the city imposing tougher regulations that would introduce fines and possible criminal penalties for landlords listing rentals without registering with city authorities. An out-ofcourt settlement will require Airbnb and other short term rental sites to get proof of registration from hosts before they post short term rental listings.