Finding an Airbnb in the Big Apple is about to get harder. After recently announcing tough new regulations on home-sharing platforms, Mayor Eric Adams’ administration now estimates that around 10,000 Airbnb listings are likely to be removed from the platform.
The new rules, which were originally offered earlier in November— should enter into force from 9 January, Daily News reports. According to the new regulations, Airbnb hosts will be required to register their listed homes and apartments with the city’s Office of Special Enforcement, and failure to do so will result in hefty fines. Hosts who proceed to rent out their units without checking them in could face penalties of up to $5,000.
To successfully register an Airbnb listing, units must meet very specific requirements. All houses and apartments that do not meet the registration requirements will be removed from the platform and hosts will no longer be able to rent them. Christian Klossner, executive director of the Office of Special Enforcement, said in an interview that about 10,000 units will eventually be deregistered.
It’s already illegal for New Yorkers to rent out their entire house or apartment, which means landlords can only rent out spare rooms in their house for short-term use (less than 30 days), and guests must still reside in the unit during the rental. IT out.
The new registration process will require hosts to provide the Office of Special Measures with the full legal names of all residents in the unit, as well as a lease or document indicating the permanent status of the unit. Additionally, hosts will need to certify that their apartments comply with zoning regulations, safety regulations, and building codes. A publicly accessible database will also be set up where users will be able to search and find registration information for a specific host and apartment.
Airbnb will also be sanctioned if it does not cooperate with the proposed new regulations. If the platform is caught processing payments for unregistered hosts, it could be subject to fines of $1,500 per violation. In a statement, Airbnb criticized the new rules and said they would make it harder for legal hosts to list their homes and apartments. Many New York hosts have also criticized the city’s decisions, saying the new regulations do not serve their interests. Many New Yorkers cited both disability and low-income status in their memo to the city and called on the bureau to reconsider the proposed regulations in favor of those who need Airbnb to survive in New York.
“It’s unfair and reckless to crack down on small homeowners, like the single and two-family homes the city previously promised to leave alone,” read a comment on the public website managed by the mayor’s office of operations. “Start by going after megahosts that have multiple properties – that way you’ll get the bad actors.”
“I cannot work full time for health reasons and therefore my income is limited. I have lived in my apartment for 19 years and for several years with a disability, Airbnb’ing my apartment has helped me to be able to pay a rent,” adds another user. “Without the option of Airbnb, I won’t be able to pay my bills and live in my apartment. Please don’t take this income assistance away from struggling New Yorkers.”
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