||| FROM NEWSWEEK |||
Police in New York City impounded seven vans that were being used as illegal Airbnb rentals for the past two years. Some of the vans faced numerous parking violations and expired registrations.
![The NYPD has launched an investigation into the illegal Airbnb rentals that were advertised as an inexpensive "glamping" experience in the middle of New York City.]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOSqk8.img?h=531&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOSqk8.img?h=415&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOSqk8.img?h=415&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
© Darieus/Getty Images The NYPD has launched an investigation into the illegal Airbnb rentals that were advertised as an inexpensive “glamping” experience in the middle of New York City.
On Saturday the NYC Sheriff’s Office official Twitter account posted photos of the vans seized by Road Patrol Deputies on various streets throughout Manhattan. The vans were advertised on the popular short-term rental app Airbnb for just $100 a night, compared to the average $200 plus a night in NYC.
In April, New York City officials passed legislation making it illegal to rent apartments for fewer than 30 days in the majority of housing buildings. Airbnb renters who violate the new legislation can face severe penalties including eviction and fines up to $7,500.
The vans were promoted for inexpensive “glamping” on the streets of New York City and were described as spacious private rooms that could sleep up to three, the New York Post reported. “Glamp in a spacious camper Van in NYC!” one ad read. Five of the vans were parked in NYC’s East Village.
The vans were seized after a traffic enforcement agent noticed several of the vans had out-of-state plates that were long expired. Some had registrations that expired before 2000, the Post reported.
All seven of the vans were impounded throughout Thursday and into Friday, authorities told the Post.
Following an investigation launched by the NYPD Sheriff’s office and the NYPD Document Fraud Unit, authorities found that these vans were part of an “operation of alleged fraudulent and illegally registered vehicles being used as Airbnb rentals on various streets in Manhattan,” Sheriff Joseph Fucito told the Post.
One guest who spent a night in a red 1999 Ford Econline with New Jersey plates in the East Village said the experience was interesting. Uptin Saiidi, a journalist and video creator from California, was sold on the inexpensive rental in a prime location for just $97 a night.
Saiidi documented his entire experience in a video posted on his YouTube back on August 11. He said the key that was left for him in the lockbox on the back of the van only unlocked the door but did not start the engine.
He also said when he arrived at the van he noticed a parking ticket from the night before. He was immediately concerned.
READ FULL ARTICLE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/nypd-seizes-several-vans-used-as-illegal-airbnb-rentals/ar-AAOSqki
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In light of seeking balanced reporting that directly relates to issues on Orcas Island, I fail to see what service this article provides. What is occuring on the streets in in the homes of New York City does not of give me a view of what might happen here. However it does strike me as alarmist and seeking to raise the fear level of an already volatile issue for our community. And lest anyone seek to flame me for asking for responsible reporting, I have been at various times a renter seeking an affordable long term home, a landlord providing long term homes for others, and a homeowner. I can see the issue from multiple of points of view. What I am asking for is information that allows people to come to their opinions from factual information instead of fear mongering.
I think it’s called “fear” and people like to use that to get the changes they want…
This article has nothing to do with Orcas Island. This is not New York City. What were you hoping to achieve? Please make an attempt at unbiased reporting, on vacation rentals, instead of inflaming more hostility toward compliant local hosts.
Fear? I see zero cause for fear. I see cause for sadness. Sadness that some people are such blooming fools that they would pay hard-earned dollars to stay in a rusty 1999 Ford Econoline van on a city street with a parking ticket on the window. Relevancy? Well, sure. AirBnB is the listing agent for hundreds of vacation rentals right here on Orcas and apparently they set a pretty low bar for the quality of their offered experiences. We deserve better.
Thank you Orcasonian for sharing this. Great Reporting!!