Berlin Bans Air B&B
 

From what I've heard it's because it swallows up rentals and increases rental prices thus impacting people who really live in Berlin..

However, it only bans renting entire apts and not just a room.

Link?

I thought they did that a long time ago, starting around May 1st.

Thanks for the link, Christina.

Yes this was passed in May but I thought to let people know in case they don't. Seems Air B&B is still advertising complete apts even though there are restrictions in place. Never underestimate greed.

Air BnB dos this everyplace in which they are banned or restricted. In NY State they are in the process of passing a law which makes it illegal not just to rent the property but also to advertise it. As soon as that is signed I can see the state attorney general heading to Air BnB, VRBO etc - to shut down the short term renting of whole apts.

Just some clarification:

Berlin did not ban Air BnB but started to enforce a law that penalizes zoning violations.

For any space in one building that has been zoned residential, you need a permit if you want to use it for anything but long-term rentals. This requirement for a permit includes Air BnB style commercial temporary subletting, but also abuse of residential apartments as offices or shops.
If, for an example, an apartment building has shops on the first (ground) floor, and office spaces on floor 2, and residential apartments on floors 3-6, only the latter would be affected by the law.

For temporary subletting there are two exceptions:
You can sublet all unused bedrooms (not just one) - as long as that apartment remains also your residence as well.
You can sublet your whole apartment for the time you don't use it when it's your second residence (e.g. people working in Berlin Mon-Fri, going back home for weekends).

Funny enough, not only Air BnB and similar are being investigated but also the Federal government which turned some of their properties which had been full-time residences of employees into temporarily-used apartments is facing a fine of several tens of thousand euros and a cease and desist order.