A new rule goes into effect for short-term rentals in New York City

Drastic changes to New York City’s short-term rental market are set to begin Tuesday with a new city ordinance that requires landlords to register in the city in order to maintain their listings on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar sites. Violators can be fined up to $5,000.

Supporters and opponents of the law said it would potentially eliminate thousands of listings in the five designated boroughs for 30 days or less.

Gia Sharp, a Sunset Park homeowner and co-founder of the organization Restore Home Independence and Homeowner’s Rights, or RHOAR, said the prospect was “terrifying”.

“Because it reduces the challenge and makes it impossible for us to do any kind of short-term lease anymore,” Sharpe said.

However, Michael McKee of the Renters Political Action Committee said he expects thousands of units currently being rented short-term on sites like Airbnb to be brought back into the residential rental market over the next year, which in turn will help ease the city’s stress. housing crisis.

“We feel very good about where we are right now,” said Mackey, a member of the Coalition Against Illegal Hotels. “We have worked for more than a decade to pass a law on books of this kind.”

Enforcement of the law, he said, is the responsibility of the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement on its website It “will focus on cooperating with the booking platforms to ensure that they use the city’s verification system, that all verifications are done correctly, and that the platforms stop processing unverified transactions.”

In a statement, Theo Yedinsky, director of global policy at Airbnb, said the company has tried to set “reasonable regulations for home sharing.”

“New York City’s new short-term rental rules are a blow to its tourism economy and to the thousands of New Yorkers and small businesses in the outer boroughs who rely on homesharing and tourism money to help make ends meet,” said Yedinsky. “The city is sending a clear message to the millions of potential visitors who will now have fewer accommodation options when they visit New York City: You are not welcome.”

Firbo did not respond to questions about the new law.