Mayor Announces Settlement with Landlord Over Illegal Evictions and Unlawful Short-Term Rentals

The property will be turned over to the City to be converted to affordable housing as part of the settlement. On February 23, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that a settlement had been reached between the City and Gennaro Brooks-Church and Loretta Gendville, the owners of 1214 Dean Street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The settlement comes after tenants were illegally evicted in 2020 and the couple operated illegal short-term rentals across nine buildings for four <Read More>


State Legislature Passes Bill to Ban Online Advertisements of Illegal Short-Term Apartment Rentals

The legislation, which is the first of its kind in the Nation, represents New York’s newest tool in its battle with Airbnb. On June 17, 2016, the New York State Legislature passed the first state bill in the Nation to ban online advertisements for illegal apartment rentals. The bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and Senator Andrew Lanza, seeks to protect the at-risk stock of the City’s affordable housing units, which are illegally rented … <Read More>


Legislation Proposed in NY State Assembly Would Put an End to Online Advertising of Illegal Short-Term Apartment Rentals

Elected officials and affordable housing activists unite at State capitol in support of the legislation.  On February 24, 2016, 300 members and supporters of the Share Better coalition rallied at the State capitol in support of Assembly Bill A08704, which would ban most online listings advertising rental apartments for less than thirty days per renter. Bill A08704 was proposed to the State Assembly approximately one month after a report was released to the public that … <Read More>


HPD Announces Funding Secured to Convert Illegal Hotel to Single-Room Occupancy Units for Supportive Housing

235 West 107th Street will be converted to permanent supportive housing. The building was previously used as an illegal hotel. Image Credit: Google Maps.On March 29, 2023, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced that $38 million in financing has been secured to change an Upper West Side illegal transient hotel into permanent supportive housing. The property, known as the Morningside Inn and located at 235 West 107th Street, was previously operated as an illegal hotel by the owner. The building will now help provide permanent housing through single occupancy units to adults facing chronic homelessness.


Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement Brings Suit Against Illegal Short-Term Rental Operation

The lawsuit alleges the owner conducted around $2 million in illegal transactions for short term rentals over the span of four years. On Monday, July 12, Mayor Eric Adams and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), Christian J. Klossner, held a press conference to announce a lawsuit against an illegal short-term rental operation in Manhattan’s Turtle Bay neighborhood. The administration officials were joined by Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel Trades … <Read More>


City Council Votes to Require Short-Term Rental Registry

The bill will prevent the listing of illegal short term rentals on sites like AirBnb. On December 9, 2021, the City Council voted to approve Int. 2309-A, which requires short term rentals to register with the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement. The bill helps in the City’s fight against illegal short term rentals like AirBnbs. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Ben Kallos.