Since launching in 2008, Airbnb has taken the travel industry by storm. With more than 7 million listings in 100,000 cities, Airbnb has made its CEO and co-founder, Brian Chesky, a wealthy man; he is now worth a reported $4.2 billion, according to Forbes.

However, not everyone is enthused by its rapid growth.

The popular home-sharing platform has come under increased scrutiny after receiving complaints from angry residents living in highly dense Airbnb areas. According to the Guardian, Airbnb has drastically affected urban life in multiple cities and rural regions around the world. Residential properties in peaceful communities have been turned into full-time holiday rentals, sitting vacant in off-peak seasons and attracting an abundance of holidaymakers throughout the rest of the year.

Despite rules and restrictions laid out by Airbnb, many residential buildings continue to be let illegally. In 2018 the BnbGuard discovered that 35 percent of Airbnb listings in Australia were from people who didn't even own the properties, and the council in Barcelona revealed that half of vacation rentals had been rented without permission or the appropriate license.
Complaints from residents, upset hoteliers and landlords have prompted local governments to step in to further regulate vacation rentals.