World-famous web-based hotel service Airbnb is asking its hosts and supporters to sign on to a petition that begs San Francisco lawmakers to protect its business model.
Currently, Airbnb hosts can be evicted from their apartments with 72 hours' notice, because renting out space for a short-term rental is a violation of most rental agreements. Airbnb in headquartered in San Francisco, which could declare war on its entire existence should it so chose.
Some landlords have gone that route, according to Uptown Almanac. Board of Supervisors President David Chiu this week proposed legislation that would see Airbnb hosts pay a hotel tax in exchange for some eviction protections -- but it may not be enough.
Douglas Atkins, Airbnb's "global head of community," has asked hosts of the company -- which received $500 million in venture funding recently -- to contact their lawmakers to "stop the evictions and fix the law," according to Business Insider.
In other words, fix it so the regulations no longer threaten Airbnb's mere existence.
