Airbnb has change into a preferred and infrequently cheaper various to motels for a lot of travellers.

Singapore:

A Singaporean man has been fined $845,000 for offering unlawful short-term leases on Airbnb and different platforms, authorities mentioned Tuesday, a report penalty for the offence within the city-state.

Housing is a delicate subject in space-starved Singapore, the place most stay in residences, and it’s unlawful to lease out lodging for lower than three consecutive months.

Simon Chan, 57, reportedly leased 14 residences and sublet them for short-term lodging to native and international visitors.

The former property agent marketed the residences on Airbnb, HomeAway and different platforms, native media reported.

A court docket Monday fined him Sg$1.16 million (US$845,000) — the very best ever penalty handed out for short-term leases — and he might be jailed if he fails to pay, officers confirmed.

His girlfriend was reportedly fined Sg$84,000 for serving to him.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority, which oversees metropolis planning in Singapore, warned that such unauthorised short-term leases with frequent turnover of visitors “changes the residential character of a property”.

The physique mentioned it “will continue to take strong enforcement actions against short-term accommodation offenders… in order to safeguard the interest of the community”.

Airbnb has change into a preferred and infrequently cheaper various to motels for a lot of travellers.

But the corporate has confronted mounting criticism that it worsens housing shortages and squeezes the long-term rental sector, with cities together with New York, Miami and Berlin cracking down on the service.

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