Illegal Hotels In New York City Exposed (VIDEO)

Perhaps tight-budgeted travelers should just stick to Couch Surfing.

City inspectors are using a new law to raid, document and shutter illegal hotels.

From DNA Info:

The inspections came after a new law took affect May 1 that closed loopholes in the existing code governing short-term rentals.

The measure bans rentals that are less than 30 days and says the use of even one apartment for transients is illegal. Before, a majority of the building had to be occupied by transients in order for that to be the case.

The inspectors documented a number of unsafe conditions, some of which resulted in partial or full vacate orders.

At the New York Hostel 104, on East 105th Street, inspectors discovered an overcrowded building with combustible material throughout the building, the city said.

The International Student Center on West 88th Street was also slapped with a partial vacate order. A worker at the hostel said she thought the company was legal.

"We had a certificate that shows exactly how many people are allowed to stay in each room," said Amy Oechsle. "I feel like big hotels are trying to make all of the guests get out of the hostels and come to their big, expensive hotels."

HuffPost's Matt Sledge reported on the MacDougal Street Synagogue which was served with a partial vacate order for running an "illegal transient hotel."

The owners claimed they had a First Amendment right to expose tourists to "the teachings of tolerance without being subject to the restrictive apartment conversion requirements set forth in the New York City Administrative Code."

WATCH footage from one of the city's raids:

Comments

[riverhouse]

09:21 AM on 05/29/2011

Really. You actually think "big, expensive hotels" think people staying in illegal transient dumps will become their clients? You think they even want those people in their hotels? I don't think so. This is a legitimate fire safety issue and building code violation. Posters who complain about houses and apartments in Los Angeles being occupied by hordes of illegals should appreciate that this is a similar situation. These aren't "hotels" for tourists.

[yando]

10:49 AM on 05/23/2011

THis has nothing to do with "safety" and everything to do with
fat cat corporate hotels persecuting their competition.
In Europe you can find a hostel or pension for $40.
In NYC I'm scrambling to find something less than $200 a night. Ridiculous.

[Carlos Santana]

08:37 PM on 06/12/2011

But where are working class and middle class people supposed to live when all the affordable apartment buildings are being used as hotels?

[columbusbuck]

10:13 AM on 05/22/2011

I'm surprised NYC passed this law (isn't the council run by Democrats?).

[l3randon]

11:27 AM on 05/23/2011

Neither party has an exclusive claim on screwing over individuals to serve the interests of a large, wealthy, entrenched interest. That's just the nature of government.

[columbusbuck]

12:16 PM on 05/23/2011

Elitist to say the least.

[KIVPossum]

09:45 AM on 05/17/2011

Can't rent an apartment for less than 30 days? I often rent an apartment on 1-3 days stays; it's usually cheaper than a hotel and gives a bit more room.

[MikeyJaii]

11:56 PM on 05/16/2011

Recession!

[IamBentleyEvans]

10:17 PM on 05/16/2011

Anything for a quick buck i guess. But why put people;s lives at risk?

[Leon Engelun]

03:52 PM on 05/16/2011

What is a hostel? I see that printed a few times.

[sue1mar3]

05:11 PM on 05/16/2011

It is an inexpensive hotel, usually in an older building, where travelers stay. Rooms are usually shared with other people with common sitting and eating areas. I cannot speak for this one in particular but have had good experiences with others throughout the US. They are especially popular in Europe and mostly attract young people from around the world. Most prohibit locals from staying for an extended period of time.

[valeskas]

11:41 AM on 05/17/2011

Its suppossed to be for young travelers from here and abroad and in Europe they are only used for young people, who like to travel and do not have much money. There is usually only beds, and a shower for many. They have no services you have to bring your own stuff, sometimes even your sleeping bags. People stay only a night and move on to the next hostel in another town or city. Its very cheap, but in Europe they do not take day laborers in, only tourists. Its like a cheap hotel, mostly young people go there. They all are very clean in Europe, not like the pictures they had from NY.

[David Barish]

02:43 PM on 05/18/2011

Hostels exist around the world for young, middle aged and older people. They range in quality from no frills, terribly run to exceptional quality with tons of activities, amenities and services. Free breakfast, free wifi, free linen, pool tables, bars, tv lounges, mini-movie theatres, private rooms with private bath, walking tours, the list goes on. Hostels are a terrific way to meet people, learn about other cultures while saving money. Hostelling is an experience!

The ones in New York, some were bad and deserve to close, many were very good and do not deserve to be closed. The City did not distinguish between them, which was a big mistake and will have serious negative impacts on the tourism market to New York City over the coming years. Backpackers will go elsewhere because they cannot afford expensive hotels in New York City.