Something in the Airbnb: hosts anxious as New York begins crackdown

The city has levied fines on users of the apartment-rental site, often a source of vital extra income, but a politician insists: 'We're not going after the little guy'

A war of words between Airbnb and New York, its largest market, has escalated with the first fine issued by the city in what is expected to be a crackdown on "hosts".

Related: Brad Stone: 'We should watch Uber and Airbnb closely'