Airbnb, San Francisco Reach Deal on Rental Registrations

San Francisco and Airbnb reached a deal this week that aims to prevent the short-term rental website from listing housing units that are not following city rules that limit the duration of stays and the number of nights units can be rented.

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The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by Airbnb over a city law that fines the company for booking rentals not registered with the city.

Under the deal, residents looking to list a rental will be able apply for a city registration number through Airbnb’s website and will have to list their registration number to post a listing.

The company will provide a monthly list of all San Francisco listings to the city, so officials can verify that units are registered. Airbnb will deactivate listings that the city says are invalid.

“This settlement protects our neighborhoods and will help prevent our precious housing stock from being illegally turned into hotels at the expense of evicted or displaced tenants,” City Attorney Dennis Herrera said. “I think this is going to put San Francisco on the road to being a model for effective regulation of home hosting platforms.”