Airbnb Could Get A Big Assist from Indiana

An Indiana bill may soon eliminate the power of local governments from prohibiting Airbnb use within its city’s confines, per the Associated Press.

According to the report, the state’s lawmakers are worried that innovations such as Airbnb would falter at the city level over fears that come with rampant home sharing. The thought goes that services like Airbnb might prove a disservice to neighbors who never signed on to have their neighborhood frequented by travelers.

Rather than see one town after another completely prohibit Airbnb and like services, the legislature is hoping to ensure these types of products remain viable throughout the state.

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But the decision doesn’t come without its peculiarities. The AP states: “Small government Republicans often talk about the virtue of local government control. But the measure is just the latest example of Indiana's GOP majority taking up legislation that would tie the hands of local governments.”

On the other side of the argument are those who would like the nothing more than the assurances of a choice in the matter.

Airbnb’s future is a bright one regardless of the outcome. Earlier this month, we reported how the popular home-sharing company’s recent round of funding rocketed its valuation to $30 billion.

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As for any bill that would solidify the company’s Indiana future, it has already passed the state’s House and is said to be in the middle of a Senate panel approval process.

Thus, Indiana denizens may soon have to share a wall (or fence line) with someone who rents a neighboring home through Airbnb, regardless of what the city wants to say about it.

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