Berlin court upholds Airbnb ban

A woman browses the site of US home sharing giant Airbnb on a tablet in Berlin on April 28, 2016. Berlin will from Sunday, May 1, 2016, restrict private property rentals through Airbnb and similar online platforms, threatening hefty fines in a controversial move meant to keep housing affordable for locals. / AFP PHOTO / John MACDOUGALL

BERLIN: A Berlin court threw out a challenge against the German capital over a ban on private holiday rentals through online portals such as Airbnb. 

A new law came into force in the city on May 1, banning property owners and tenants from renting out whole apartments or houses for short-term holiday lets.