The D.C. Council has given preliminary approval on Tuesday to curbing short-term rentals in the area. The move will put some of the tightest restrictions in the country on Airbnb and other home-sharing services, The Washington Post reported.
Due to the measure, those visiting the capital will have fewer lodging options, because D.C. property owners will be unable to rent out second homes on a short-term basis. At the same time, limits will be placed on those who rent out spare rooms or basements in their primary residences.
The final vote on the measure will take place in late October or in November. Airbnb said it would try to persuade the Council to ease restrictions until then. The company argued that due to the restrictive legislation, the property owners will face income loss in tens of millions of dollars.
However, the D.C. Council has indicated support for strict regulations, saying there’s a need to protect affordable rental housing and not let the residential neighborhoods get disrupted.
“The bill would curtail short-term rentals that take properties off the market for tenants for the long term,” said council member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), who introduced the bill.
Although D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had indicated that the bill was too restrictive, there has been no call to change or veto it from her end.
