I-Team: Airbnb Creates Plan To Build Relationship With Communities Amid Criticism
BOSTON (CBS) -- Airbnb is a fast growing company that has experienced some growing pains.
Last summer, the I-Team first reported on how some Boston area neighborhoods are being overrun by short term room rentals.
Airbnb unveiled a proposal to improve their relationship with cities and towns across the country.
State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, who represents downtown Boston, said Airbnb has really exploded in popularity in his district over the past two years.
Dozens of units are listed for rent in Charlestown, the Back Bay, and the North End.
"The worst case scenario," explained Michlewitz, "is basically a person who goes and rents an apartment and never stays there. He just goes to IKEA, dresses up the apartment, and just rents it on a daily basis."
The I-Team found that's what happened at 16-18 Battery Street in the North End. One of the tenants took pictures outside a unit which prominently listed a check out time and an emergency number near the front door.
"It affects the housing stock to some degree," said Michlewitz. "You have an apartment that is being used as a daily turnover, and not a person who wants to invest in the community."
Michlewitz sponsored a bill to require homeowners to registry short term rentals in their community, and pay a 5 percent fee.
Airbnb announced their plan to be a better neighbor and called it "Community Compact." They outlined a number of steps such as tracking and publishing rental activity to try and stem permanent rentals. They also said they will negotiate tax rates with each city.
Michlewitz is encouraged Airbnb is showing a willingness to address these issues. He added that he wants to see concrete action and has no plans to pull his bill at this time.