New York City rules to delay short-term housing restrictions after Airbnb sues
Eden Villalovas
Video Embed
New York City will delay an ordinance imposing restrictions on short-term rentals after Airbnb filed a lawsuit in opposition this month.
The rule requires Airbnbs and other owners of short-term rentals to register with the mayor’s office, and it was originally postponed to July, but the New York Supreme Court extended it to Sept. 5.
ELECTION OF GOVERNORS: GUBERNATORIAL RECORDS OF SIX 2024 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
“Following the filing of our lawsuit last week, the City has said that it will delay until September the enforcement of its rules that would result in a de facto ban of short term rentals in New York City,” said Karen Dunn, Airbnb’s attorney, in a statement obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The registration requirement, known as Local Law 18, was passed in January 2022, giving booking companies this year, such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and more, less than 30 days to file with the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement (OSE).
The OSE will not impose violations or issue any fines or penalties to short-term rental hosts prior to the new deadline, according to the court ruling dated last Friday, obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The court’s verdict to extend the regulation deadline will not halt the OSE from accepting or reviewing applications or paying vendors, and the office will continue to update the portal to register rental spaces and examine further rules.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Airbnb said in the lawsuit earlier this month that the summer marks a period of “surge capacity” where hotel rooms across the city can be fully booked, pointing to the effect the enactment of Local Law 18 will have on those seeking accommodations.
“While we are happy on behalf of guests and hosts whose summer plans and rentals will no longer be ruined by these rules, we hope the City will use the extra time to collaborate with us on a sensible alternative solution that will benefit Hosts, tourism, and the local economy,” Dunn said.