Los Angeles city leaders want to regulate home-sharing websites like Airbnb

HANCOCK PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles city leaders want to regulate short-term rental sites like Airbnb, a popular home-sharing website.

Airbnb helps people worldwide rent rooms or houses, mostly when traveling. In a report released Thursday, the company said it has contributed $312 million to the local economy since it launched in 2008.

"We've really seen the more people learn about Airbnb home sharing, the more they like it," said David Owen, who is in charge of public policy for Airbnb.

The company held an event at a Hancock Park home to talk about home sharing with locals, many of whom said they had great experiences with the service.

"We're certainly going to be a part of helping bring more people to Los Angeles in a sustainable way," Owen said.

Despite those assertions, some city officials say L.A. is missing out. At least two city councilmembers want the city to start collecting taxes on short-term rentals.

"We're losing out on revenue that pays for cops and firefighters and fixing sidewalks," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin.

Bonin represents L.A.'s Westside, an area where home-sharing listings are plentiful.

"A short-term rental is actually competing directly with a hotel. And hotels pay a transit-occupancy tax, a hotel tax. That's money that is one of the main sources of city revenue," Bonin said.

Owen said Airbnb wants to be part of the discussion with all stakeholders involved.

Airbnb is just one of several websites that facilitate home sharing. Bonin admits that getting all of the sites on the same page will be a challenge.

There is no word yet on when or if the City Council will act on the proposal.