Local Law 18 primarily focuses on properties rented for periods of less than 30 days. If you’re a host or manager with listings that fall within this category, it’s essential to understand the implications of this law and what is expected of you.
Mandatory Registration: Hosts and property managers who have listings that fulfill the criteria outlined in Local Law 18 must register with the Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) through New York City’s Short-Term Rental Registration Portal. This registration will set you back $145. Before submitting their request, hosts must also check the same site to see if their building is on a list of forbidden structures.
Displaying Registration Number: Following successful registration, the OSE will generate a one-of-a-kind registration number. This registration number must be clearly displayed on hosts’ web listings on sites such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. This number acts as an indicator of legal compliance and provides potential visitors with certainty about the legitimacy of the establishment.
Airbnb has made efforts to comply with Local Law 18, and listings that do not have a registration number will no longer allow new bookings when the law goes into effect. Reservations made before September 5 will be honored for stays until December 1 and service costs will be refunded. Reservations at uncertified properties will be canceled and reimbursed after December 1.
To have your building added to New York City’s list of buildings where short-term rentals are prohibited, you can follow these steps:
Visit the Short-Term Rental Registration Portal: Go to New York City’s Short-Term Rental Registration Portal for short-term rental registrations. This portal allows building owners or authorized representatives to submit an application to prevent short-term rentals in their building.
Complete the Prohibited Building List Application: Fill out the application form titled Prohibited Building List Application. This form asks for details about the building, including its address and any other required information to confirm that it meets the criteria for the restriction.
Submit the Application: After completing the form, submit it through the portal. The application will be reviewed to determine whether the building qualifies for inclusion on the Prohibited Building List.
Once approved, short-term rentals (such as those listed on platforms like Airbnb) will not be allowed in your building, which can help maintain long-term residential use.
If you would like to discuss your options regarding becoming a host or your building possibly being added to the prohibited list, please contact us at 718-536-2642.