Governor Cuomo signs bill to fine illegal Airbnb hosts

On Friday, Oct. 21, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will fine residents who rent out their apartments for illegal short-term stays on websites such as Airbnb.  The fines for those who advertise apartments for rent in a multi-unit building for 30 days or less could be as high as $7,500.  Shortly after the bill was signed into law, Airbnb responded with a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, arguing that the law violates the company’s free-speech rights to promote its business and that it conflicts with U.S. laws intended to help Internet-based businesses proliferate.  The full story can be found here and the text of the new law can be found here.