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Airbnb removes 1,300 unlicensed Maui rentals under new county agreement

Airbnb says rental properties have been misused to host unsafe get-togethers during the pandemic.
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Airbnb said it recently removed more than 1,300 vacation rentals without licenses under its agreement with Maui County.

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the county last year. It allowed vacation rental hosts to enter their County-issued Tax Map Key number and State-issued Transient Accommodations Tax License number.

Short-term rentals are required to provide those identifying numbers in order to continue hosting, Airbnb said. New short-term rental listings are required to have both numbers before they appear on the site.

The county then verifies the rental listings provided by Airbnb. Hosts that do not provide a TMK number are subject to removal.

Airbnb already signed and implemented a similar program with Kauaʻi County. It also signed an agreement with the City and County of Honolulu, but that program is awaiting implementation.

Airbnb said it is committed to "working hand-in-hand with the government in support of clear, fair regulations."

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