Under the slogan “Our house, our choice,” homeowners protested against a City law that makes it difficult for them to have the opportunity to list their homes for short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb.
“That is not a law, that is a persecution against the middle class and honest and hardworking people of the City”, says Will Gómez.
The group called “Restore Homeownership and Rights” demonstrated a few days ago in front of New York City Hall, demanding that Local Law 18 be repealed. The measure went into effect in January and the city government was ready to start enforcing the law this month.
Will Gomez has a two-family home where he hosted people through Airbnb. He explains that if he is prevented from doing that, he will have significant financial consequences.
“Not seeing what to pay the mortgage with, there is nothing to pay the taxes with. It’s basically me and my family, which is quite large, will be forced to leave New York City.”
Among the regulations, homeowners are now required to register with the city to use their homes as short-term rentals, a process that homeowners say isn’t easy.
“It’s impossible to get you to approve. Because? Because they tell you “Oh, here is the form”, but you have to comply with thousands of extra laws of which you are not the first, nor the lawyer second, nor a legal expert to have such extensive knowledge of things, “adds Gómez .
Supporters of the law say short-term rentals are hurting hotels, but these advocates say that’s not true.
“Those who normally use Airbnb in New York, most of them are foreigners and cannot pay the price that hotels ask,” says Asia Madera.
Those on the other side of the issue also say that restricting short-term rentals would open up more spaces they say are needed as the City grapples with a housing crisis.
Speakers at the rally also said that many of these short-term rentals are in low-income communities, resulting in guests spending in the local economy.
If Local Law 18 is not repealed, they say, it could have negative effects for them.
“One option that I am considering is to sell the house. Because there will be no way to pay such a high mortgage”, says Asia Madera.
We have reached out to the City’s Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement that enforces these regulations, but have yet to hear back.
2023-07-16 14:31:00
#Protest #shortterm #housing #rental #law
