Walsh seeks to toughen rules on short-term rentals in Boston

BOSTON - Boston Mayor Marty Walsh wants to toughen regulations on short-term rentals like those made through online platforms like Airbnb.

Walsh said Wednesday he's filed an amended citywide ordinance that aims to prevent operators from monopolizing Boston's housing market with short-term rentals.

The Democrat said regulations that balance the city's efforts to preserve housing affordability with the growing demand for short-term rentals is key to stabilizing communities and preserving Boston's housing stock.

“We have some folks who are using it to get by, which nobody is trying to threaten that, but we also see some companies coming in and essentially running de-facto hotels out of residential housing, making building profit but essentially on the backs of renters who are getting pushed out,” Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu said.

The proposed rules are aimed at investor-owned apartments and would allow people to rent a room in their home or a spare unit provided they own and live in the property.

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.

In a statement Thursday, Airbnb said they are "disappointed" in the idea.

"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 input from the thousands of families already using home sharing to pay the bills," the statement read. "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."

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Associated Press