However, the cancelations caused an uproar because Japan’s law actually states that all Airbnb hosts have until June 15 to register their listings.
However, Japanese government officials announced anyone who hasn’t yet received a license still must cancel reservations made before June 15, even if the host has applied for the license and is simply waiting for it.
Many Other Restrictions on Japanese Hosts
Meanwhile, this wasn’t the only restriction imposed upon Airbnb hosts by Japan’s new law.
For instance, Airbnb rentals in Kyoto will only be permitted during the slow season for tourism (January to March). Also, hosts will only be able to rent their properties for 180 days out of the year.
All of these changes together appear to have impacted roughly 80 percent of reservations made through Airbnb Japan.
Airbnb was surprised that the Japan Tourism Agency didn’t seem to care about lost revenue from tourists.
What To Do If Your Airbnb in Japan Was Canceled
Not all is lost if you experienced the cancelation of an Airbnb in Japan. Airbnb is sending instructions on next steps to everyone affected by the new law, including details on how to obtain refunds.
Airbnb is also attempting to help guests find alternative Airbnb listings that are in compliance with the new law. Individuals who are unable to find another Airbnb location will be put in touch with a travel agency in Japan.
Like Airbnb posted on its own blog, “Any reservation scheduled for guest arrival between June 15 and June 19 at a listing in Japan that does not currently have a license has been canceled. Going forward, unless the government reverses its position, we will automatically cancel and fully refund any reservations at listings in Japan that have not been licensed within 10 days of guest arrival.”
Any guest whose plans were affected by the cancellations will have their expenses covered as well. A $10 million fund was created to cover things like alternate accommodations or flight changes.
On top of that, Airbnb is also offering a coupon worth 100 percent of the booking value to use on a future reservation and $100 coupons for an Airbnb Experience.
Other Regulatory Hurdles Encountered by Airbnb
This isn’t the first time Airbnb has run into regulatory hurdles imposed at the municipal level. Among the most glaring: it’s become practically illegal to host an Airbnb in New York City.
Other local governments — including those of Barcelona and Berlin — have imposed caps resembling the one that went into effect in Kyoto, limiting how frequently Airbnb hosts can rent out their properties.
And Amsterdam’s government is attempting to halve the number of nights a property can be rented per year to 30 in 2019, from 60 nights.
Back in the U.S., Los Angeles lawmakers are reportedly backing new regulations that will limit Airbnb hosts to renting only their properties 120 days per year.
Depending on where you live, you may have a number of hoops to jump through before being able to list your property on Airbnb.
The company lists a number of considerations on the website, depending on the city and state you live in.
Readers, what’s your opinion on the limitations that Airbnb faces in diferent parts of the world?
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