[Magdalen] Accommodation in New York City

[Jim Guthrie]

From: Lynn Ronkainen

>I think the only issue NYC is having with Airbnb is that the hotels in NYC do 
>not like the fact that people are making money without having to charge the 
>huge tax assessed on lodging and other ways that Airbnb might be cutting

The biggest problem in NYC is regarding rent regulations and co-ops -- which 
represent the majority of housing. If you live in a co-op, the Airbnb 
arrangement is almost universally prohibited in the proprietary lease which 
governs one's use of the apartment. If one lives in a rent controlled or 
rent-regulated apartment, one cannot sublet -- even a room -- without voiding 
the deal. A rent-controlled lessee, paying $400 a month for a two-bedroom (or 
larger) is subject to moving to market rates -- maybe $4,000 a month if they 
host AIRbnb customers.  Ditto rent regulated, though the increase won’t be as 
drastic.

And, of course, the city is taking a dim view of people hosting AIRbnb customers 
and then complaining about stolen items and the like. There have also been 
AIRbnb rapes, and unlike other cities with a more libertarian streak, NYC 
residents have a strong objection to that sort of thing.

Banning it altogether may take a bit of time -- the law will have to be written 
so as not to seem to single out a particular company. Some are looking at a law 
that would cover AIRbnb as well as Uber, for example.

Cheers,
Jim