Why Las Vegas Airbnb host was fined nearly $200,000 for putting his home up for short-term rental
a Vegas The homeowner has been fined nearly $200,000 after his home was reportedly rented out Airbnb – without the correct rental license.
Xin Tao had initially been fined $2,132 for allegedly allowing his home to be listed on Airbnb for short-term rentals in August 2021.
In the span of a few years, the fine rose to as much as $180,000.
Tao has instead accused his tenant, who had signed a two-year lease, of allowing rentals without his consent.
The accused homeowner also filed a lawsuit this week asking the city to void his fine and claiming his constitutional rights were violated.
Xin Tao had initially been fined $2,132 for allegedly allowing his home to be listed on Airbnb for short-term rentals in August 2021.
Attorney Andrew Bao (pictured) said in the filings that city authorities violated Tao’s right to due process under the Nevada Constitution by failing to notify him of the matter for more than two years and reducing the fine by approximately to increase $500 per day.
Attorney Andrew Bao said in the documents that city authorities violated Tao’s due process rights Nevada constitution by not informing him of the issue for more than two years and increasing the fine by approximately $500 per day.
“To increase a fine from $2,132.00 astronomically to $180,000.00 without prior notice for more than two years is a violation of due process and petitioner’s constitutional rights,” Bao said in the lawsuit.
“Moreover, the $180,000.00 is an excessive fine and penalty that violates petitioner’s constitutional rights.
“At worst, the applicant is the victim of fraudulent concealment by the tenant and possible criminal acts,” the lawyer said.
The lawsuit also alleges that the city illegally took his private property and violated his privacy.
Tao has asked the court to annul the entire fine, award him damages of more than $15,000 and attorney fees, plus issue an injunction preventing the city from seizing his home, the court said. Las vegas review diary.
Authorities said images of the home were found on Airbnb in August 2021 that matched those on Realtor.com and, as a result, a notice and order banning rentals was issued.
Tao has disputed the claim, saying in its lawsuit that the rental company used photos without permission and refused to provide information about renting the property.
But despite Tao’s claims, Eric McCoy, the city’s code enforcement manager, clarified that the accused never applied for a permit to rent the house during a city council meeting.
Authorities said images of the home were found on Airbnb in August 2021 that matched those on Realtor.com and as a result, a notice and order banning rentals was issued.
The department had previously received nine complaints from residents about the potential short-term rentals at Tao’s home and conducted 11 inspections, according to city records.
Tao has disputed the claim, saying in its lawsuit that the rental company used photos without permission and refused to provide information about renting the property.
He also said he could not evict the tenant for allegedly violating the lease due to lack of evidence — which both Airbnb and the City Code Enforcement Division reportedly also failed to disclose to him.
Before the lawsuit was filed, the City Council had voted unanimously to uphold the fine and place a lien on Tao’s home for that amount in January.
