LA’s upscale suburb of Santa Monica has convicted it’s first Airbnb landlord under some of the nation’s toughest short-term rental regulations. The action could set an example for cities across the country.

Landlord Scott Shatford, who listed five properties on Airbnb and had boasted the city would never enforce its own laws, was fined $3,500 and given two yearsprobation for eight counts of misdemeanor operation of a business without a license and refusing to comply with city citations, Deputy City Atty. Yibin Shen said Wednesday.

Shatford also agreed to cease renting properties with Santa Monica city limits.

Shatford, 36, also has a book and database on how to be successful with Airbnb-type short term rentals.

Santa Monica intended to make an example of him.

“We want the public to know that this is serious,” said Shen. “It’s our job to seek justice and in this case I think justice was served.”

Shatford mocked the conviction, but said he’s done with Santa Monica.

“The city came after me, to make me their little poster child and be able to promote me as their first victory. … It’s pretty silly,” he said. “I’ve decided to move my family to Denver, Colorado, a more progressive city that isn’t in the back pocket of the hotel lobby.”

[Source:- UPI]