Re: Airbnb accused of picking sympathetic hosts for marketing campaign, April 10

Airbnb accused of picking sympathetic hosts for marketing campaign, April 10

I’m not sure I can drum up a lot of sympathy for Mable Chu, featured in Betsy Powel’s article on Airbnb. Considering property values in the GTA, her home is worth a pretty penny, especially with all she has upgraded.

As someone fighting rental properties in Muskoka/Parry Sound, I can see the damage being done to all those involved in the hospitality industry, both up here and now in urban areas. I don’t sympathize with the owners of large hotels but with their employees, suppliers, etc.

I believe the New York State law prohibiting apartment owners from renting units for less than 30 days if they are not present is a perfect solution to the problem with weekend parties and apartment destruction that have affected rentals in urban areas.

We can’t make use of such a law in Muskoka, as we are dealing with smaller personal buildings, but the fact remains that controls are needed and sometimes taxing and re-taxing may be the only solution.

Bill Paterson, Emsdale, Ont.