Firm Metropolitan Property Group through 18 different legal entities rented for short-term rent 130 apartments in 35 buildings of Manhattan through sites such as Airbnb, violating city laws about short term rentals.
Because of this, on Monday, the administration of new York mayor bill de Blasio filed a lawsuit against the Manhattan company.
«Illegal hotels take away precious housing the citizens of new York,» said de Blasio, explaining the necessity of the control over unscrupulous landlords.
Metropolitan Property Group denies his guilt. «I have no comment because it’s not true,» — said the head of real estate Times reporters, refusing to comment on the charges.
The administration of mayor insists that the firm handed in the short-term rental absolutely all of the apartments in a building in East Harlem, and it can hardly be a coincidence.
City officials describe the activities of Metropolitan Property Group as a «highly developed» and «commercial», trying to dispel the view that the majority of Airbnb users are the owners of the properties.
Five employees of a real estate company has created over 100 fake accounts on Airbnb to offer their services.
City officials argue that in the period from 2015 to 2018, the company received from these illegal operations $20.7 million
City officials announced that as a result of activities of Metropolitan Property Group was committed 13 691 short-term lease. All in all the apartments located in East Harlem, Kips Bay and Midtown East for 3 years was visited by more than 75,000 guests.
Airbnb has tried to protect its customers, calling the actions a real estate company by accident.
The Airbnb representative said that this case is a good example of just that, there remains a need in the draft law with clear rules that protect the rights of thousands of new Yorkers who prefer to share their home.
