HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-16 Public Comment - M. Vant Hull - Short Term Rentals NewYork Passes Law to Curb Airbnb Rentals-The New York Times http://www.nytimes.con/2016/10/22/technol09y/new-york passes-law-...
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TECHNOLOGY
New York Passes Law to Curb Airbnb
Rentals
By KATIE BENNER OCT.21, 2o16
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has signed a bill that will impose steep fines
on Airbnb hosts who break local housing regulations, creating a new law that
could drive people from the short-term rental service.
Since 2010, it has been illegal in New York to rent out a whole apartment for
fewer than 3o days. But some tenants and landlords have ignored those mules and
have been using Airbnb to rent out their apartments for much shorter periods.
The new law allows the local government to fine hosts up to $7,500 if they
are caught listing a property on a rental platform such as Airbnb,
"This is an issue that was given careful, deliberate consideration, but
ultimately these activities are already expressly prohibited bylaw," Rich
Azzopardi, a spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, said in a statement.
Mr. Azzopardi added that illegal rentals "compromise efforts to maintain and
promote affordable housing by allowing those units to be used as unregulated
Hotels.
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New York Passes Law to Curb Airbnb Rei gals-The New York fines hUp://www_Wttn _eom/2016/10/22/technology/new-york passes-law-...
Earlier this week, Airbnb offered an alternative to the legislation, offering to
provide a registry of hosts to local regulators. But supporters of the state
regulations, which were drafted in January and passed in June by a nearly
unanimous vote in the State Assembly and Senate, criticized the company's offer
as a last-minute public relations stunt.
"Airbnb put a lot of pressure on Governor Cuomo and spent millions, so I'm
gratified that he stood up for the cause of affordable housing and protecting
tenants," said Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat who
sponsored the bill; "This will help step the bleeding and the loss of units that
should be occupied by New Yorkers and not tourists who are here for a few
nights."
The legislation, which was sent to Mr. Cuomo on Tuesday, spells trouble for
Airbnb. New York C itv is the rmmpanv'c larQactnarizet in the 7TnitPd States. The
city's hosts generated about $1 billion in revenue last year, and the company took
a cut of that amount in fees.
On Friday,Airbnb reacted with anger to Mr. Cuomo's decision. j
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"In typical fashion,Albany back-room dealing rewarded a special interest —
the price-gouging hotel industr
y—and ignored the voices of tens of thousands of
New Yorkers,"said Josh Meltzer, head of the company's New York public policy.
The legislation followed years of haggling between Airbnb and New York
officials. In 2013,Airbnb irked the state attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman,
by initially fighting a subpoena for data on who used the platform and what they
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The relationship between Airbnb and local politicians has continued to
deteriorate since Mr. Schneiderman sent his initial request.
By the time New York lawmakers moved to fine Airbnb hosts, an odd
coalition had aligned against the company, including Democrats and
Republicans, affordable housing advocates and real estate developers, and hotel-0 vj; a V\s
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