If you own a house or car, you’re mostly free to do what you want with it, even make a little extra money with it – right?

Depending on where you live the answer to that question may be a resounding “no.” And for many people who are providers in the burgeoning freelance services economy – where consumers purchase rooms for rent, household labor and ridesharing services online – the harsh reality is that current state and local laws are generally supportive of established hotel and taxi businesses, but are prohibitive at times to the independent operators.

That’s been the lesson of Raleigh, North Carolina resident Gregg Stebben. In addition to owning his own company, co-hosting a technology talk show and working as the Tech Editor at Men’s Health Magazine, Gregg and his wife Jody Stebben own a house in Raleigh and last year became services providers – known as “hosts” – through AirBnb.Com, the new online venture that matches travelers in search of lodging with private homes, extra bedrooms and couches for rent.

“If you want to be in business, that usually involves doing some things that you don’t necessarily like” Stebben says. “In our case we end up scrubbing toilets and changing bed sheets, but that’s okay, we signed up for this.” [Read more…]