Last spring, the City of Boston approved an ordinance to regulate short-term housing rentals done through platforms like Airbnb. Needless to say Airbnb was not happy and filed a lawsuit against the city in November. Well, the judge has ruled on this case.
According to the Boston Globe, US District Judge Leo T. Sorokin stated that Boston can’t “eject a short-term rental service from the city as punishment for posting and failing to remove listings that violate the ordinance.” Sorkin also stated that Boston can’t require short-term rental services to report to the city how many days each month a rental is occupied.
However, the judge did not move to block the fine of $300-per-day issued any time a rental service accepts a fee for booking a unit that violates guidelines.
City Councilor Michelle Wu responded on the ruling via twitter calling it a “big win” for Boston in helping to protect residential housing stock.
What do you think?
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
