Is Airbnb Workable in New York City?
Todd E. Soloway and Joshua D. Bernstein discuss the legal landscape over the debate concerning whether and in what circumstances to allow transient short-term rentals of apartments in New York City.
April 28, 2015 at 04:04 PM
12 minute read
The debate over whether and in what circumstances to allow transient short-term rentals of apartments in New York City continues to play out in real-time. Airbnb, the well-known online platform that makes a business of facilitating such arrangements, is engaged in a massive advertising campaign designed to sway public opinion and ultimately convince New York's legislators to enact regulations legalizing apartment-sharing. Similar efforts already have been successful in San Francisco and Portland.
Its motivations are obvious: according to an October 2014 report released by the New York State Attorney General, Airbnb earned revenues of $61 million in 2010-2014 from home rentals in New York City, most of which are illegal under present New York state and city laws. Affordable housing advocates and the hotel industry, among others, have countered Airbnb's efforts by arguing that any amendment of the existing laws would undermine long-standing public policies intended to protect both New York City residents and visiting tourists.
To its supporters, apartment-sharing through websites such as Airbnb is a catalyst for entrepreneurship, enabling middle-class New Yorkers to make additional income by renting out their apartments. To its detractors, it allows landlords to convert apartments otherwise available for long-term rental into illegal hotels that threaten the safety of guests and neighbors alike and make New York City less affordable. This article explores the current legal landscape.
NOT FOR REPRINT
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Trending Stories
- 1The Law Firm Disrupted: For Big Law Names, Shorter is Sweeter
- 2How I Made Office Managing Partner: 'If You Are Aware of Areas for Improvement and You Can Play a Role in That, Speak Up,' Says Jennifer Mellott of Freshfields
- 3'I'm Staying Everything': Texas Bankruptcy Judge Halts Talc Trials Against J&J
- 4What We Know About the Kentucky Judge Killed in His Chambers
- 5Burns & Levinson to Wind Down After 64 Years in Boston
Featured Firms
Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C.
(470) 294-1674
Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
(857) 444-6468
Smith & Hassler
(713) 739-1250