Airbnb is calling on Hongkongers to push the city’s government to reconsider a proposed bill targeting short-term rentals and unregistered guesthouses.
In a petition launched on change.org yesterday, the company urged people to support calls for a new round of public consultation on the issue.
Like ride-sharing app Uber, home sharing services offered by Airbnb and similar platforms have been deemed effectively illegal by authorities, which require short-term rental properties to have licenses.
Legislation currently under consideration by the Legislative Council — the Hotel and Guest House Accommodation (Amendment) Bill — would further enhance the powers of authorities to crackdown on the sector.
In a message posted with the petition, Airbnb said the proposed amendment would hinder the development of home sharing sector, upset travellers and stop Hongkongers from “making good use of extra space” for extra income.
“This would risk Hong Kong’s global reputation as a tourism and travel hub,” said the company, which complained the proposed bill was based on outdated public consultation results.
“It is time for us to reconsider options that promote smart tourism, utilize innovative technology, and support Hongkongers with more opportunities to make supplemental income.”
“We need your immediate support to urge the government to launch a new round of public consultation on home sharing.”
The proposal to clamp down on the sector is backed by Hong Kong’s hoteliers, who have called for tougher sanctions for Airbnb users, according to the SCMP.
Under the bill, a strict liability offence would see property owners face increased fines of up to HK$500,000 (US$63,800) and possible imprisonment of up to three years if evidence showed their flats were used as unauthorized guest houses or hotels.
The law would be enforced by the Hotel and Guest House Accommodation Authority, which, under the provisions, could apply for search warrants to raid suspected unlicensed rental properties.
Currently, premises providing sleeping accommodation for less than 28 days must have a license from the authority.
About 450,000 visitors used Airbnb for a place to stay in the city last year, according to the company, which said the typical rental period was 38 days and the average amount earned by hosts was HK$25,600 (US$3,300).
Efforts to win government support here come as the San Francisco-based company faces clampdowns in several countries, with regulators complaining the platform and similar services price out long-term renters while hosts avoid taxes imposed on hotels and registered apartments.
This week, councillors in Washington D.C voted to bar property owners from renting out second homes on a short-term basis. The city also limited the rental of primary residences — under short-term arrangements — to 90 days per year, according to the Washington Post.
In June this year, Japan imposed rules on the sector, requiring hosts to register with the government and meet strict criteria.
Authorities in Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin and Sydney have also moved to introduce conditions on people offering short-term rentals on the app.
New York authorities — which now requires hosts to register their homes as rental properties — this week raided a condominium in cracked down on short-term rentals.
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