In New York City a Short-Term Rental refers to renting for any period shorter than 30 days. There are rules, laws and consequences governing short-term rentals that are enforceable today.

In New York City an illegal hotel refers to an entire apartment or home rented to visitors on a transient basis i.e. for less than 30 days. However, an apartment owner/renter (subject to their building restrictions and laws) can have up to two paying guests for less than 30 days provided each such guest has unobstructed access to every room and to each exit within the apartment and the right to use at least one bathroom. In addition, the legal occupant of the apartment must be present during the guests’ stay if it is for less than 30 days; and no key locks may be installed on any internal door as all occupants in the premises need to maintain a common household.

Please note that New York State law also prohibits the advertising of an apartment in a Class A multiple dwelling (generally, a building with three or more permanent residential units) for rent for any period less than 30 days. Fines for doing so range from $1,000 to $7,500 and will be issued to the person who posts the advertisement. Visitors looking to submit a complaint regarding an illegal hotel may either call 311 or click on the following link.

The cost of your short-term rental or hotel room will depend largely on the location and the time of year. On the surface, booking a short-term rental may appear to be less expensive. However, when taxes and cleaning service fees are included typically you will be looking at just about the same amount for booking a hotel. Hotels provide easier check-ins, concierge, security and lastly what you see is what you usually get when booking a hotel room.