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Illegal Hotel Crackdown

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Richard Gottfried, Assemblyman (D- District 75) and Health Committee chair, talks about whether the bill to crackdown on landlords creating illegal hotels will prevent tenants from using craigslist or airbnb for short-term sublets.

Have you ever informally rented an apartment  for less than 30 days - either as the renter or the rentee? How did you do it and how did it go? 

Guests:

Richard Gottfried

Comments [39]

elliot from manhattan

I think jerry is louis galpern in disguise or mabie he is his split personality.

Feb. 08 2012 08:51 AM
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Boneer from synagogue tenant

This is all BS I looked up this entity macdougal street synagogue and it doesn't exist. Jerry hahaha this
Man does not care for anything else but money. Using african americans hispanic americans and now
Using a synagogue to do his illegal bidding. The building has a history of being run by all of these organizations that have to do with either your race or religion now that is low. I've been to the management office and not a single african or hispanic american to be found. They should all be locked up for breaking the law and then fighting it insted of acceepting their mistakes. The owner louis g?alpern states "its our building and our right" I thought it was the synagogue who was running the operations but seems like the owner is the puppet master.

Feb. 08 2012 08:36 AM
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Jerry Brownstein from 139 Fulton Street

I would be surprised if Mark Robinson wasn't "Jerry Brownstein" (his pseudonym) from African American Realty. Jerry works with the "MacDougal Street Synagogue" (his cover organization - no synagogue exists) with their illegal hotels. If this is Jerry, and I'm pretty certain it is, he is definitely not African American and almost certainly not Jewish. The only African Americans ever in his buildings are the individuals that legally live there. No Americans are allowed in as you must have a foreign passport and be willing to stay for less than 28 days. Jerry's MO is to make unfounded claims of racism and anti-Semitism in order to make residents fearful to take legal action against him. Quite a shameful person. If it isn't Jerry, my apologies.

Jan. 07 2011 11:15 AM
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l have lived in the same rent stabilized apt for 25 years. I have dealt with drug dealers, drug addicts, cockroaches and now "absent hoteliers". The tenants have moved up but have decided that keeping their apartments and creating a small business by getting into the hotel business is a great idea. Sorry, these guests are pests and must go.

Dec. 31 2010 03:04 PM
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Mark Robinson from Manhattan

-. Furthermore, everyone should write to their elected officials and ask that the law should be changed to permit as many apartments that become available in a building for SHORT STAY USE not just the 49 percent that the current law permits. Now that will be TRUE INTEGRATION and end to VILE AND DESPICABLE SEGREGATION. As a PARALEGAL and based on my conversation with attorneys, we can sue the city and the lawmakers if a Judge determines that the reasons stated for passing of this new law is a sham and this will expose BLOOMBERG and other RICH LAWMAKERS to a personal lawsuit where they will be personally be held liable for what is essentially LEGISLATING A HATE BILL. NO ELECTED OFFICIAL CAN CHANNEL HIS/HER HATRED OF MINORITIES INTO A BILL THAT IS MOST PROBABLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The Lawyers that I have spoken to suggested that it is probably UNCONSTITUTIONAL for the “LAWMAKERS” or any “FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT” to compel and dictate to any PROPERTY OWNER the LENGTH OF TIME THAT HE/SHE MUST RENT ANY APARTMENT. Finally, I reached out to attorneys who asked many Assistant District Attorney if they recall a single crime that occurred or was caused by a SHORT TERM STAY individual and all A.D.A’s have consistently responded that they have never come across a single case. In light of the above, I urge you to call every legislator in your community and send them a copy of this letter, we must not permit the BIGOTS and RACISTS to prevail and we should be able to visit apartments outside our “GHETTO” without interference from anyone.

Sep. 07 2010 02:57 PM
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Mark Robinson from Manhattan

AFRICAN AND HISPANIC AMERICANS AGAINST LIZ KRUEGER AND RICHARD GOTTFRIED Attention my fellow African and Hispanic Americans: Did you know that LIZ KRUEGER AND RICHARD GOTTFRIED are trying to pass a law that will prevent you from renting even for one day any apartment that is located in a white neighborhood? The “LAWMAKERS” listed above have joined other “LAWMAKERS” in an effort to stop people of color from moving into buildings which are occupied primarily by WHITES. Caucasian tenants in predominately WHITE neighborhoods have been alarmed by the sight PEOPLE OF COLOR “ROAMING” THE HALLWAYS OF THEIR BUILDINGS when landlords were renting to SHORT STAY TENANTS. The SHORT STAY TENANTS can usually book a room over the internet and the LANDLORD and their staff must accommodate them when they arrive, they can not be legally turned away due to the color of their skin. This ease of access by MINORITIES to WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS and PREDOMINANTLY WHITE OCCUPIED BUILDINGS shocks the LONG TERM RESIDENTS and they do not want us in their midst even if only for one day. My friends and I frequently book a room in MANHATTAN, after dinner and an occasional Broadway show, we do not feel like driving back to New Jersey. These short term stay apartments in Manhattan are extremely inexpensive compared to a hotel room and we usually stay FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY night, then we head straight to work (my friends and I all work downtown in the Financial District). On many occasions I have seen and felt the UNWELCOME looks and DEMEANOR of the CAUCASIAN permanent residents in these buildings which permit short stay, I have read that both of the “LAWMAKERS” listed above have capitulated to the demands of these WHITE PERMANENT RESIDENTS and are now trying to pass a law that is basically SEGREGATIONIST and it may actually be viewed as a HATE CRIME sanctioned and championed by WHITE “LAWMAKERS”. In the July 5, 2010 issue of the DAILY NEWS Ms. KRUEGER is quoted as saying “Residents will no longer see their apartment buildings OVERRUN by transient tourists” As you can see by the choice of words used by her, she emphasizes overrun, sounds like the kind of word used to describe Mice and Roaches or other vermin. In the same article, Assembly bill sponsor Richard Gottfried called the situation a “nightmare” where “you have strangers coming and going at all hours”. The article further states that “MAYOR BLUMBERG SUPPORTS THE MEASURE…” The legislature is bowing to the demands of the PREDOMINANTLY WHITE OCCUPIED BUILDINGS, where these occupants are HORRIFIED at the prospect that PEOPLE OF COLOR CAN LEGALLY LIVE IN THEIR MIDST. I have importuned everyone I know to launch a campaign where the “LAWMAKERS” who vote for this RACIST BILL RESIGN or BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

Sep. 07 2010 02:48 PM
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Jim from Manhattan

This law is a mistake. It is anti-hostelling and anti-backpacking. The only housing stock in NYC that can accommodate the volume of backpacker travelers in NYC is vacant SRO rooms. The law should have regulated this housing for backpackers - not eliminated it. (This law not only eliminates the SRO option - it eliminates B&Bs, home stays, holiday rentals in private homes, in fact everything -- unless you're part of the $300 a night hotel industry.)

I was recently in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The streets were full of young backpackers -- staying in the large number of hostels and cheap hotels. Australia encourages backpacking -- they have quantified the economic value of it. This is true in every major city of the world. Backpackers follow affordable hostels and they spend money. Backpackers travel to destinations they can afford now and will return to those destinations when they're older. They will return to those cities with memories and they will avoid the unwelcoming places of their youth.

This legislation tells backpackers to stay out of NYC -- there is no place for you here. You can't afford us and we don't want you. The NY Times supported this bill and made the weak suggestion that "the governor should encourage the mayor . . to find an inexpensive way to bunk in the city" is laughable. How? Where? No, the message is clear: NYC is for the rich traveler now.

Jul. 14 2010 03:40 PM
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Rich From NYC from New York City

I don't think some of you folks get it. This bill is NOT aimed at those who sublet but for those who basically run their apartment as a hotel business or owners who kick rent stabilized tenants to the curb so they can create a makeshift hotel. If you are on the internet renting out your apartment like a hotel would(days, weekends & other short stays) to tourists and doing this year round, you ARE NOT subletting, you are trying to be a hotel and are not considering your neighbors. I've worked in the hotel business and lived in one trust me there were many nights were partying tourists made a lot of noise and created disturbances. If I was in a residential building I would not want the apartment next to me having guests in and out. Also if you are trying to be a hotel, you better be paying the room occupancy tax and complying with fire and safety codes which again many do not comply with. So the people who have commented about not being able to run their illegal hotel business anymore ought to admit that it is about the money. If you want to be a hotel, get the proper zoning, comply with the fire and safety codes, pay the hotel taxes, buy the liability insurance in case there is damage or a wrongful death lawsuit and by all means be a hotel, but don't say that this law is not fair.

Jul. 13 2010 08:08 AM
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Mark from Manhattan

I was embarrassed for Gottfried through most of the interview. There are more people - as in everyday, *voting* citizens - in NYC who depend on subletting than he cared to recognize when he created this bill. He clearly listened to only one side of the story, without considering the thousands of other constituents this would affect. These are the people that vote for him....did he not realize this? Hello?

If this passes the Governor, both Assemblyman Gottfried and Senator Liz Krueger will go down as the politicians who outlawed sublets in NY. I would not want that attached to my reputation or the history of my career.

Jul. 11 2010 12:09 AM
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lafou

I have been looking through AirBnB & other short term rental ads for an alternate to a hotel. I noticed some ads will have 1 bedroom and sleeps 5 or more. That is a blatant disregard for the other tenants in these buildings.

Jul. 10 2010 07:14 PM
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Ellie

http://savenysublets.tumblr.com/

Jul. 08 2010 02:50 PM
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Hannah from Manhattan

can anyone speculate on how this will effect NYC tourism revenue? Negatively, I would suspect. And what about peak times, during the holiday seasons when all the hotels are full? NYC businesses need every last dime these days...

Jul. 08 2010 01:05 PM
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Sheila

There are so many people in New York City who don't understand their rights as renters, and a radio segment like this doesn't do justice to explaining what people's renters rights are how this bill does, or does not, impact them. I think this segment has been poorly prepared and tends toward the sensationalist, as it has alarmed people without presenting the bigger picture. Check out your rights, folks! Read your leases and do some internet research. Go to Tenant.net.

Jul. 08 2010 12:42 PM
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Jane Hunter from Bound Brook, NJ

This is terribly elitist in effect. It won't control the big money landlords--please, they'll just find more ways to profit. It will harm individuals who can only afford to vacation out of town if they have a short-term rental and individuals who can only afford a NY pied-a-terre if they rent it out when not in residence. How silly. Most folks who do a short term rental treat the building and apartment as if it were their home. On a recent stay in an apartment in Paris we made 2 plumbing repairs and re-stocked the kitchen. The owner trusted us with her home (including her art work and pix of her grandkids) and we honored that trust.

Jul. 08 2010 12:10 PM
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bub from brooklyn

this is ridiculous, there is a better way to deal with this problem. i find it hard to believe that i will be breaking the law when i try to recoup some of my lost rent from visiting family over the holidays for a week or two. subletting is VERY different from running an illegal hotel out of your apartment. why is NY lawmaking so backwards, misinformed, and just plain illogical? who thinks up these things? and why can't i buy wine in the supermarket?! idiots, all of them.

Jul. 08 2010 12:01 PM
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Frank Grimaldi from East Village

I resent that fact that Richard is saying certain situations are okay with a wink and and nod - the city won't come after you. But times change, what he's saying doesn't provide any assurance that the city won't change it's mind.

Assemblyman - I wouldn't vote for him.

Jul. 08 2010 12:00 PM
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RBC from Manhattan

The focus of the bill should be against building owners that are using entire residential apartments as hotels. But if they're going after people who rent rooms in their apartments, that's insane. Renting rooms is how people are able to pay rent and live in this city.

Jul. 08 2010 12:00 PM
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Jenn

Isn't a similar thing going on in Paris right now?

Jul. 08 2010 11:58 AM
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Richard from Suburban NJ

Your Assemblyman guest is describing a very loosely defined law, which he intends to enforce against some but not others, with very poorly defined criteria.

We used to be a nation of laws. This smells strongly of "All animals are created equal, but some animals are created more equal than others."

Jul. 08 2010 11:58 AM
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Annoyed Renter from Brooklyn

S from Manhattan:
Obviously you don't understand the bill. It is aimed at people who make a business of renting out apartments to transients, not legal tenants living in an apartment and renting out a room to another, or once in a while, when one is on vacation rents out their apartment.

You're wrong. Under this bill you would not be able to rent out your house or apt while you're on vacation. Unless you're away for longer than 1 month.

Jul. 08 2010 11:57 AM
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Susan from Manhattan

I would like to bring to your attention that those people who rent their apartments or rooms to vacationers do so because they need to supplement their incomes in a particularly difficult economic environment.

As I am sure you are aware, ‘Bed and Breakfast’ hospitality is common, accepted and legal in Europe for well over a hundred years. It is a mutually supportive system for small apartment dwellers and those requiring homelike, comfortable accommodation at an affordable price.

As a caterer in New York City, I am very aware that wedding couples frequently take advantage of this relatively inexpensive service to accommodate their out of town guests.

From the vacationing renters’ viewpoint, they are often tourists who would not be able to come to New York at all, as hotels are prohibitively expensive for them. This includes small business people who come to this city to attend conferences or commercial showcases for their industry.

These rentals in no way affect the hotel industry’s business. Anyone and/or their corporation which has the means will still go to hotels. These small vacation rental facilities provide a welcome and very necessary service to those people who would otherwise be unable to take advantage of what New York offers and would not bring their tourist or business dollars to the city.

I urge the Governor to veto this bill to protect the ‘little people’ who will suffer without this totally individual - not corporate, service.

Jul. 08 2010 11:56 AM
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Linda Francis

Its so interesting that the Buildings dept is so ready to crack down on individuals but when we asked them to change a building being constructed that was built covering our only window, they werent interested.

Jul. 08 2010 11:55 AM
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S from Manhattan

Obviously you don't understand the bill. It is aimed at people who make a business of renting out apartments to transients, not legal tenants living in an apartment and renting out a room to another, or once in a while, when one is on vacation rents out their apartment.

Jul. 08 2010 11:52 AM
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Annoyed Renter from Brooklyn

This is about HOTEL LOBBYISTS, not about apt safety. Airbnb is a disruptive service and there's huge demand for the services they provide. Think about the record industry fighting the digital demands of listeners years ago. This is the hotel industry now.

I OPPOSE A10008.

Jul. 08 2010 11:50 AM
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RJ from Prospect Hts

I've been having trouble finding a roommate and would like to rent the 2nd bedroom in my apt for short periods. Is this covered under the court ruling? And would the proposed law affect that?

Jul. 08 2010 11:49 AM
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MFan from Clinton Hill

This guest is full of it. There are countless websites set up for just this purpose and both the renter and the rentee knows exactly what they're getting into. I've used these services many times myself and am looking to rent my own place in August. It's a reality of the density and cost in this and every other major city. I've done this in Paris, in Budapest, in LA, even Boulder. There might be a small bad element in all of this, like anything else, but this has been going on for ages, and will continue to as long as there are people who wish to travel inexpensively.

Jul. 08 2010 11:49 AM
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Sheila from Washington Heights

You and your viewers should be aware that rent stabilized apartments, according to the law, MAY be sublet but it requires the approval of the landlord. Landlords may not "unreasonably deny permission.

Jul. 08 2010 11:49 AM
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Richard from Suburban NJ

Interestingly, this same issue is now being hotly debated in Paris, where nearly all short-term rentals are to foreign tourists, in properties owned by foreigners.

Jul. 08 2010 11:48 AM
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Dorothy from Chelsea

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/business/global/07rent.html?src=me&ref=general

Same thing in Paris, ostensibly for different reasons.

Jul. 08 2010 11:48 AM
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Greg from Manhattan

I love renting apartments, and have found it recently in the last few years. I have rented in other countries, as well as other cities in the U.S. It allows a more "at home" feel, in which I can cook my own breakfast, and come and go as I please. If there is trickery involved with certain situations, I can't speak for, as all my experiences have gone very well. VRBO is another site that puts you in contact with home owners, that is a great. There are bad deals out there, but you should be aware of the value you're looking for.

Jul. 08 2010 11:48 AM
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Marielle from Brooklyn

I'm amazed at how many people on this site are opposed to this law. Aren't people concerned about security in their homes?

Jul. 08 2010 11:48 AM
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mac from manh

the only reason given so far as to why this unenforced 1920s law should be suddenly now enforced is because neighbors don't know 'who's coming or going.' WTF?

Jul. 08 2010 11:47 AM
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Bowery Boy from Bowery

So why is it okay for Donald Trump to do this in his new high-rise, but it's a crime if poor people do it????

Jul. 08 2010 11:45 AM
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Marielle from Brooklyn

Our board recently instituted a key card system in order to enter the building - it's been very effective in getting rid of illegal tenants.

Jul. 08 2010 11:45 AM
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Sophie from Poughkeepsie, NY

Oh, please. If nothing disruptive is going on what's the problem? And if there is a problem can't the landlord/management/super deal with it? Why ANOTHER law!

Jul. 08 2010 11:00 AM
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Liam from East Elmhurst

Oh, and, as an after-thought, it would appear that I am running against the current of the Democratic Party on this-I thought they were FOR the middle class and poor? Where are the LA FOLLETTES?
Or the Teddy Roosevelts today?
CERTAINLY, not MIKE RICH-GUY.

Jul. 08 2010 10:50 AM
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Flora from Brooklyn

Many people in NYC are renting out spare rooms in order to avoid foreclosure in the midst of a severe economic crisis. It's hard to believe that any legislator could be so heartless as to pass a bill taking away the only means many of us have to avoid foreclosure and keep our homes. I pray that Governor Patterson vetos this Draconian bill.

Jul. 08 2010 10:50 AM
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Liam from East Elmhurst

It's truly amazing how they find a way to make everything illegal or unprofitable for the middle-wage earners in this city. In fact, to the world, the only people who live here live in Manhattan, anyway. Soon, only the well-connected wealthy will be it and the enslaved poor. I can't believe this was the goal, was it?
End corporate taxation-if you got it as pay, fair tax scale-NO LOOPHOLES-NO LAWYERS-pay to live in comfort beyond most people's wildest dream.

Jul. 08 2010 10:48 AM
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A from Inwood

This could be a big problem for singers, actors, and others who leave town for anywhere from several weeks to several months at a time for gigs. We don't generally get paid enough that we can afford to leave our apartments empty!

Jul. 08 2010 09:53 AM
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