BOSTON (AP) - Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has signed into law regulations aimed at cracking down on investors who buy housing units to list on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.
The Democratic mayor signed the city ordinance Friday after the City Council passed it by an 11-2 vote Wednesday.
The regulations ban renters and investors from renting apartments by the night, but allow people to rent a room in their home or a spare unit provided they own and live in the property.
Backers of the regulations say investors who buy up homes and condos to turn them into de-facto hotel rooms are making the city’s tight housing market even more unaffordable.
Airbnb said the regulations prevent Boston families from making much-needed extra income. The ordinance takes effect Jan. 1, 2019.
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