Bad luck, suspicious subletters: Airbnb is in the process of removing over 2000 New York City listings that aren’t “providing a quality, local experience to guests”.
It’s not clear what a lack of “quality, local experience to guests” actually means, but it does come on the back of an affidavit filed by the state Attorney General in support of a subpoena for Airbnb customer info. That filing claims that as many as two thirds of NYC Airbnb listing break the law — by subletting entire apartments without the official tenants being present.
According to Airbnb, it’s been planning the bans for months, and has removed listings for all the hosts included on the affidavit list. Meanwhile, the Attorney General reckons that Airbnb is turning a legal discussion with authorities into a public relations war. Regardless, the next time the two come together, the mood will likely not be warm and friendly.
It’s a small first step by Airbnb to clean up NYC’s digital rental scene — but if it helps clean up those temporary brothels and illegal hotels, it might be worth it. [Airbnb via Engadget]