New York City homeowners are fighting back against the ban on most short-term rentals put in place last fall, forming a group called RHOAR (Restore Homeowner Autonomy and Rights). This ban has had a significant impact on homeowners who relied on short-term rentals to supplement their income and make ends meet. The group consists of about 550 owners of one- and two-family houses in all five boroughs of the city, with a significant portion of members being people of color and earning at or below the city’s median income.
Members of RHOAR have met with city officials to share the impact of the ban on homeowners and plea for changes to be made to the law. Many homeowners have faced a significant reduction in income as a result of the ban, leading some to make difficult decisions, such as potentially losing their homes. Platforms like Airbnb have blocked hosts from listing properties that are not registered with the city, but some hosts have turned to illegal platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to continue renting out their properties.
RHOAR acknowledges the value of the law in curbing “gross exploitation,” such as companies that were removing units from the market for profit. However, they believe the law goes too far for one- and two-family homeowners who rely on short-term rentals to make ends meet. The group is advocating for a fresh look at the law and believes that it unfairly targets homeowners who are using short-term rentals as a way to afford their homes.
Before the ban, there were as many as 30,000 short-term rental hosts in New York City who owned only one apartment, taking thousands of housing units off the market. Affordable housing is a sensitive issue in New York City, and the ban was designed to combat illegal hotels, improve quality of life, and boost affordable housing prospects. However, Class B buildings, including certain condo buildings, are not subject to the law, creating disparity among different types of homeowners who want to continue their short-term rental business.
Margenett Moore-Roberts of RHOAR highlights the unfairness of the law, with sellers promoting condos as a way to bypass the regulations and continue short-term rental businesses. This has caused frustration among one- and two-family homeowners who feel shut out from the revenue opportunities available to condo owners. RHOAR is pushing for a reconsideration of the law to better support homeowners who rely on short-term rentals to make ends meet and afford their homes, while still addressing the concerns of illegal hotels and housing shortages in the city.
