Good afternoon everyone, I am an Airbnb host in NYC and I am looking to get in touch with a lawyer that works with short term rentals. If you know of anyone please refer it to me.
My situation is that even though I have my STR certificate the OSE officers keep knocking on my door, the 1st time I was home and I talked to them, and because I had guests they didn't insist to get in. After that, they have returned 2 more times and I assume they are going to do their best to be allowed to get in the property. So many people have reported that after letting the inspector in they have received summons for no sense reasons, what makes me afraid to let them in. Is it a violation to refuse to let the OSE officers in to my property ? This is why I would like some legal advise about my rights.
Hey @Ricardo Polanco, so I guess I am not understanding the issue.
@John Underwood hit the nail on the head. If you are following the rules then everything should be OK.
This is no different than a health inspector visiting a restaurant. They have to allow them in to inspect to make sure things are copacetic. That way they keep their licenses and ratings.
I don't see much of a difference really.
Don't keep them out as they will get increasingly suspicious and they might pull your permit for non-compliance.
Did they give you an agreement or contract that you signed?
If so I would thoroughly ready this to see what they require and what you agreed to.
I doubt you can keep your permit if you refuse their inspection.
If you are doing everything as you should, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
It is nearly impossible to follow NYC's requirements and run a proper housing business. They can fine you for practically anything and they want all the STRs to be banned from the city. With how old NYC's buildings are, everything has to be grandfathered in until the city calls for correction which will happen when he lets the inspector in. It is a tough market but the money is insane so people just open business and run until they get caught and sell and open again.
What @John Underwood said. Does the license require that you have an inspection? Then you are going to have to let them in. If not, they might be knocking repeatedly to make sure you live there. Have you asked them why they want to come in?
Hey @Ricardo Polanco, so I guess I am not understanding the issue.
@John Underwood hit the nail on the head. If you are following the rules then everything should be OK.
This is no different than a health inspector visiting a restaurant. They have to allow them in to inspect to make sure things are copacetic. That way they keep their licenses and ratings.
I don't see much of a difference really.
Don't keep them out as they will get increasingly suspicious and they might pull your permit for non-compliance.
Hey @Ricardo Polanco, so I guess I am not understanding the issue.
@John Underwood hit the nail on the head. If you are following the rules then everything should be OK.
This is no different than a health inspector visiting a restaurant. They have to allow them in to inspect to make sure things are copacetic. That way they keep their licenses and ratings.
I don't see much of a difference really.
Don't keep them out as they will get increasingly suspicious and they might pull your permit for non-compliance.
STR is banned from NYC. All running properties are illegal or running with expired license which is ridiculous since there are so many running STRs there. They all claim their properties are exempted but haha... XD It is pretty much shut down once the city knocks on your door.
All of this makes STRs in the city pretty tough but it certainly not impossible. It sounds like @Ricardo Polanco is following the rules and just needs to let the OSE officers in for inspection.
Ah yeah, they allow couch surfing style stays since that has been a thing there forever. I used it when I was a teenager haha. Honestly, why would anyone do that when the median house price of NYC is almost 1 million. (Manhattan condo starts at 2M) I can guarantee 95% properties are running illegally.
I just can't stand of regulations those are not possible to be monitored and just being there because of lobbyists. According to NYC, STR is hurting housing affordability just like normal people can buy a house or condo near the Time Square and Madison Garden.