3 ms·

I wonder why the rise of AirBNB isn’t discussed much more frequently. I’ve lived in pretty desirable areas and found it nearly impossible to find a decent renta

by voisin 6y ago

I wonder why the rise of AirBNB isn’t discussed much more frequently. I’ve lived in pretty desirable areas and found it nearly impossible to find a decent rental because anything good is dedicated to AirBNB during the nice months, so my option is to rent a shitty apartment for 12 months continuously, or a decent apartment for 8 months and then be in disarray for 4 months struggling to find somewhere to live. I think it is complete madness that AirBNB has soaked up so much of the rental and housing stock.

greenonions 6y ago
Airbnb didn't create demand for housing that didn't exist. People really want to rent places that aren't hotels for short periods. Is that madness? Cities trying to clamp down on Airbnb are just shooting themselves in the foot again along with NIMBY housing regulations. There's incredible demand for housing in cities that isn't being met, and the cities which refuse to allow supply to rise will face the same problems and eventually lose out to more dynamic cities.
- voisin 6y ago
  People really want to run hair salons from their house, but zoning regulations prevent it. People really want to run daycares without licenses, but laws prevent it. People really want to house old folks without licenses, but laws prevent it. We have zoning laws, restrictive covenants, and boarding house licensing rules for a reason. If there is demand, then have a public referendum like we’ve seen for cannabis laws, overturn the legislated barriers and allow it. But right now, it is illegal in most places and consequently hammering the market for actual residents.
  - greenonions 6y ago
    I would argue that Airbnb is not illegal in 'most places', and even if it were, it does not take away the demand. Similar to cannabis, it's illegality did not take away the demand. Whether there is demand is not up for debate, as there clearly is. The question lies in how it is handled. Making short-term rentals illegal will almost certainly not work. Allowing short-term rentals, and allowing enough housing to be built to accommodate them, along with those who wish to own is the only solution likely to work.
  - RealityVoid 6y ago
    > People really want to run hair salons from their house, but zoning regulations prevent it. People really want to run daycares without licenses, but laws prevent it. People really want to house old folks without licenses, but laws prevent it. Maybe I'm crazy, but I see nothing wrong with any of these.
calyth2018 6y ago
Because places like HN like to celebrate "disruptors" like AirBNB? I've got no problems if hosts want to put up a guest bedroom to get some side income, but the amount of "furnished apartments" that are converted to basically hotels, without paying taxes as a business, or operate within the regulations is pretty staggering. When the first lockdown happened, a rash of "furnished apartments" started appearing on rental sites, trying to stay afloat. But it's far easier to blame foreign ownership alone, and ignore significant parts of the complete problem.

by voisin 6y ago

greenonions 6y ago

Airbnb didn't create demand for housing that didn't exist. People really want to rent places that aren't hotels for short periods. Is that madness? Cities trying to clamp down on Airbnb are just shooting themselves in the foot again along with NIMBY housing regulations. There's incredible demand for housing in cities that isn't being met, and the cities which refuse to allow supply to rise will face the same problems and eventually lose out to more dynamic cities.

voisin 6y ago
People really want to run hair salons from their house, but zoning regulations prevent it. People really want to run daycares without licenses, but laws prevent it. People really want to house old folks without licenses, but laws prevent it. We have zoning laws, restrictive covenants, and boarding house licensing rules for a reason. If there is demand, then have a public referendum like we’ve seen for cannabis laws, overturn the legislated barriers and allow it. But right now, it is illegal in most places and consequently hammering the market for actual residents.
- greenonions 6y ago
  I would argue that Airbnb is not illegal in 'most places', and even if it were, it does not take away the demand. Similar to cannabis, it's illegality did not take away the demand. Whether there is demand is not up for debate, as there clearly is. The question lies in how it is handled. Making short-term rentals illegal will almost certainly not work. Allowing short-term rentals, and allowing enough housing to be built to accommodate them, along with those who wish to own is the only solution likely to work.
- RealityVoid 6y ago
  > People really want to run hair salons from their house, but zoning regulations prevent it. People really want to run daycares without licenses, but laws prevent it. People really want to house old folks without licenses, but laws prevent it. Maybe I'm crazy, but I see nothing wrong with any of these.

calyth2018 6y ago

Because places like HN like to celebrate "disruptors" like AirBNB? I've got no problems if hosts want to put up a guest bedroom to get some side income, but the amount of "furnished apartments" that are converted to basically hotels, without paying taxes as a business, or operate within the regulations is pretty staggering. When the first lockdown happened, a rash of "furnished apartments" started appearing on rental sites, trying to stay afloat. But it's far easier to blame foreign ownership alone, and ignore significant parts of the complete problem.