Protesters on both sides of a new state law that will slap New Yorkers with stiff fines for trying to rent out their apartments through the Airbnb website held dueling rallies in Midtown Wednesday. The law, which targets short-term rentals is one of the toughest in the country against the popular housing site. Our Anthony Pascale was there and filed this report.
The battle over Airbnb spilled onto the streets of Midtown.
Those on both sides of the contentious issue held dueling protests outside Governor Andrew Cuomo's office.
Supporters of Airbnb say they are fighting for their right to continue renting their homes on the popular website.
"It has helped me and my family make ends meet," said one opponent of the law. "We are not getting rich we are getting by."
At issue, a new law signed by Governor Cuomo that prohibits short-term rentals when the property owner is not present.
It allows authorities to fine hosts up to $7,500 if they list their property on Airbnb or other rental websites.
Some argue it will not just hurt hosts like Roxanne Hancock — who rents her condominium in East Harlem.
"Regularly I send guests to coffee shops the local groceries the gourmet delis these businesses wouldn't survive," said Hancock.
On the other side, critics of Airbnb argue that many units being rented are supposed to provide permanent affordable housing to New Yorkers that are instead being turned into tourist hotels.
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal sponsored the bill recently signed by the governor, and says that is not the only issue.
"So when you live in a building, your neighbor changes every night," said Linda Rosenthal. "That's not safe for the people who live in that building and it's not legal."
Airbnb supporters delivered what they say were 80,000 letters asking the governor to change his mind.
In the meantime, Airbnb has said it plans to challenge the new law in court calling it unconstitutional.