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I have just registered on this forum having read a number of very interesting threads during my extensive research for a first-time trip to NY in October.
I hope you don't mind someone from way out of town posting here, and I'm sorry in advance if I interrupt with annoying tourist questions, I do appreciate this forum is not for that.
I've been looking in to renting an appartment through a website I use regularly for all my vacations (holiday-rentals.co.uk, the uk branch of homeaway.com). But I've discovered that renting appts for vacations in NY is possibly illegal? I've seen some discussion (on other places) about the economic & political issues around this but it is not clear to me at all.
As an example, I am looking to rent a v small appt in Brooklyn where the owner lives in the same house and is clearly not some burgeoning property tycoon. I have no idea whether this is illegal or not, even though it's all done through a highly reputable web-based agency. I'm pretty sure they (the organisation) has no idea either.
Can anyone tell me what the issues are? I mean, what's wrong with renting out your property as long as you declare it and pay the appropriate taxes?
In co-op apartments, this is flagrantly illegal. Some people do do this, however, running the risk of literally losing their apartments. In terms of rental apartments, it's also forbidden for the lessee to sublet the apartment long-term or short-term, without the landlord's agreement.
In condominiums, the owners can sublet their apartments without approval of the building board or others, HOWEVER, most buildings forbid short term leases.
Thanks for your reply, Viralmd.
So basically the 300-odd NY properties advertised on the website I visit for vacation properties are probably illegal lets?
I expect this is going to sound very naive, but doesn't anybody actually own their property in NY?
Many New Yorkers do own their own property but, due to the fact that many owned units are a part of a larger building (condos/co-ops), owners don't have as many rights as someone who owns a single-family house.
I'd be concerned also about the validity of the rental listings. I remember a news report from a few months ago in which someone was advertising an apartment for rent. He'd collect money up front and when people arrived, they found that it was all a scam.
Thanks Henna. That was a very informative article.
I'm really looking forward to visiting the wonderful city of New York, but frankly I can't afford to pay the prices that NY hotels charge. I don't want to be a 'detrimental tourist' but I don't see anything in that article that convices me I am doing anything other than depriving the middle man of his cut, and I can live with that.
Many New Yorkers do own their own property but, due to the fact that many owned units are a part of a larger building (condos/co-ops), owners don't have as many rights as someone who owns a single-family house.
I'd be concerned also about the validity of the rental listings. I remember a news report from a few months ago in which someone was advertising an apartment for rent. He'd collect money up front and when people arrived, they found that it was all a scam.
So, just be careful.
Thanks for this advice, I heard about such scams and I'm pretty sure that I'm ok. It's an international agency, I've used it many times before and the properties have been listed for many years. Plus there's a traveller's guarantee. I'll be sure to come back and let you know if otherwise... !
this article might help: [url]http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2008-09-18-nyc-apartment-rentals_n.htmA[/url] friend of mine used Roomorama.com and said that its safe and trusted.
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