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Airbnb, Hosts Seek Reprieve From New York State Lawmakers

New York State Capitol
Karen DeWitt

Airbnb hosts from around New York state have gathered in Albany to encourage lawmakers to roll back what amount to some of the toughest rules for short-term rentals in the nation.

Under a law signed last year, people who rent out their entire home for less than 30 days face the risk of hefty fines.

Supporters say the law is needed because some property owners are renting out apartments on Airbnb that otherwise would be homes for residents, reducing housing stock and driving up the cost of rent.

But Airbnb and residents who rent out their homes on the website say the fines are hurting everyday New Yorkers just looking to make a few extra bucks.

Airbnb is hoping lawmakers rescind the law and replace it with new regulations.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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