Airbnb loses Virginia battle as it seeks statewide recognition across US

Washington

WHEN Anna Currence decided in 2007 to turn her Richmond fixer-upper into a bed-and-breakfast, she spent almost six months getting permits from city hall, securing an alcohol licence for wine and cheese nights, and even submitting floor plans to figure out the proper location for smoke detectors. She collected US$7,000 in taxes last year from guests and paid US$3,100 for insurance.

The same rules don't apply to her neighbours who rent out rooms on the online hosting platform Airbnb.