Airbnb rentals in NYC would get a boost under proposed legislation

A new bill that could potentially create more Airbnb rentals in New York City is now at the center of a battle between state legislators, the Wall Street Journal reports. Backed by State Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (D), who represents parts of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, the bill seeks to legalize rentals under 30 days when the host is away, as long as the host registers with the state, and only rents one apartment at a time.

This hasn’t gone down too well with Lentol’s Democratic colleagues, many of whom are now opposing the bill, and say it threatens the future of affordable housing in the city. These legislators have in part organized through Share Better, an anti-Airbnb group.

Airbnb had hoped that this bill would be somewhat of a compromise in that it would directly benefit apartment owners or tenants who were looking to make some extra money while they were away, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The bill has garnered some support in the state legislature, but since the State Assembly is heavily Democrat, it’s very likely that this bill will flounder. Over the course of last year, New York has become stricter about enforcing laws that punish illegal Airbnb listings. Earlier this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio earmarked funds in his budget for increased enforcement.

• Battle Over Airbnb Legislation Heats Up in Albany [WSJ]
• City funds anti-Airbnb enforcement efforts in latest budget [Curbed]
• Airbnb Archives [Curbed]