Airbnb Hosts Call For Progressive Home Sharing Laws In San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Airbnb hosts and supporters have launched a campaign aimed at helping to tax and regulate home sharing in San Francisco.
The "Fair to Share" campaign has been launched by members of a group called Home Sharers of San Francisco. Melinda McLain is a member of that group and said she has enjoyed hosting guests through Airbnb in her Twin Peaks home.
"We've had visiting singers with the San Francisco Opera, we've had people who come to town who really want to live in the city," McLain said.
Airbnb Hosts Call For Progressive Home Sharing Laws In San Francisco
McLain is a master tenant who is allowed to sublet. "But if we do rent for less than 30 days, we're concerned that that is still not legal, and we need to make that legal," she said.
Damon, who lives in a rent controlled apartment in the South of Market neighborhood, had issues with his landlord and no longer rents through Airbnb, though he's disappointed about it.
"It's not like I was pulling in more than what I was paying, it was more the social capital," he said. "That's why I enjoyed it."
Home Sharers of San Francisco member Gregg De Meza owns his Bernal Heights home and said he does not mind paying the 14 percent hotel tax. He said he understands why some are concerned about the lack of long term rental inventory.
"I think with regulation, we can find a happy medium," De Meza said. What he is concerned about is personal rights, as he doesn't want people to tell him what to do with his property.
The group said they would like to see common sense regulations.
