The Related Companies is the latest stakeholder in New York City’s rental market to take on apartment-sharing website Airbnb.
The landlord has deputized building managers at its properties, asking them to be on the hunt for tenants renting out their apartments via the website, Crain’s reported. Related has even considered dishing out $500 rewards to managers who turn in violators, according to the news site.
The plan of attack is mapped out in a 16-page PowerPoint presentation obtained by Crain’s. Managers are to monitor the website and report tenants to “Airbnb marshals.” A plan to offer a $500 gift card for each resident caught listing on Airbnb was left out of the final presentation, reported Crain’s.
Airbnb has squared off with the New York State attorney general over releasing user information and faced lawsuits over illegal rentals in Gotham. Related’s actions signal a new front in the battle over short-term rentals.
“We are committed to ensuring that all our residential units comply with the rent-stabilization laws and we, along with other landlords in NYC, have developed extensive procedures, protocols and training mechanisms to that end,” a spokesperson for Related told Crain’s. [Crain’s] — Tom DiChristopher