x

Society

New York Airbnb Rentals Overcrowded

September 27, 2016

ALBANY, N.Y.  — A report on New York City Airbnb rentals has found cases of air mattresses in kitchens, bunk beds in a dining area and listings for up to 32 people, showing the need for tighter rules on the popular online home rental service, according to the two state lawmakers who issued the analysis.

The study, from Democratic Sens. Jeff Klein and Diane Savino, looked at advertisements for 110 rentals offering space for 13 or more people.

Klein, who’s from the Bronx, said some of the rentals were in violation of state and city housing codes.

According to the review, most of the 110 advertisements offered space for 16 or more people, despite rules capping occupancy at 16.

“We must take legislative action to prevent potential tragedy that could occur from illegally packing people into spaces and hold sites like Airbnb accountable,” said Klein, who leads a group of Senators known as the Independent Democratic Conference.

Klein and other lawmakers have expressed concerns about Airbnb allowing landlords and property owners to turn their properties into unlicensed hotels, hurting existing commercial hotels while potentially taking affordable apartments off the market.

In response to the study, San Francisco-based Airbnb Inc. released a statement saying it would work with lawmakers to “find a sensible solution” that balances appropriate rentals with the need to “crack down on commercial operators.”

“The overwhelming majority of hosts in New York share their homes as a way to earn a bit of extra money and keep up with the rising cost of living in the city,” the company said.

Legislation authorizing hefty fines for online advertisements of Airbnbs is pending before Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

RELATED

SEATTLE (AP) — Saturday marks marijuana culture’s high holiday, 4/20, when college students gather — at 4:20 p.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.

Video

Indians Vote in the First Phase of the World’s Largest Election as Modi Seeks a Third Term

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians began voting Friday in a six-week election that's a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics and is seeking a rare third term as the country's leader.

ATHENS - "Turkiye must respect the European acquis, which fully includes the participation at all levels of the Republic of Cyprus," Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stressed on Friday in an interview with "Kanali Ena", commenting on the conclusions of the European Council, which link the progress of EuroTurkish relations with developments in the Cyprus issue.

ATHENS - Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, in an announcement on Friday, expressed "deep concern and its unequivocal condemnation of the new escalation of tension in the Middle East with Israel's show of force against Iran.

VENICE, Italy (AP) — A pair of nude feet — dirty, wounded and vulnerable — are painted on the façade of the Venice women’s prison chapel.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians began voting Friday in a six-week election that's a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics and is seeking a rare third term as the country's leader.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.