Two landlords illegally renting out multiple residential units on Airbnb agreed to pay a whopping $2.25 million to settle a lawsuit with the city of San Francisco.
City attorney Dennis Herrera said it is a landmark for the city’s efforts to regulate home sharing.
"The serious financial penalty is an important deterrent. t sends a clear message to those looking to illegally profit off of San Francisco’s housing crisis: Don’t try it. We will catch you," he said.
The lawsuit dated back several years alleging Darren and Valerie Lee were operating an ‘illicit hotel chain’ after they evicted tenants to turn two apartments into short-term rentals.
They were initially banned from operating short term rentals but continued to do so.
The settlement forces the couple to stop renting out at least 45 units in 17 San Francisco buildings, the City attorney’s office said, adding that none of the homes were registered with the city.
"This outcome frees up more homes for long-term tenants and stops unfair competition in the marketplace," Herrera added.
The Lees were described as among the ‘the most egregious, repeat violators of the City’s short-term rental laws,’ said Office of Short-Term Rentals director Kevin Guy.
