Thinking of a Short Term Rental in NYC? Beware of Potentially Hazardous Living Conditions

Renting in New York City, for any duration of time, is often extremely expensive. Due to financial constraints and limited inventory, many are forced into unconventional living situations.

In March, 2018 New York City officials shut down a Queens home that was listed on Airbnb, offering accommodations for just $21 a night. When city officials shut the home down there were roughly 40 people living on two floors. There were even tents set up the in the backyard to accommodate more guests.

Those operating the illegally converted rental space were cited for:

  • Overcrowding
  • Illegal construction
  • Insufficient means of egress
  • No automatic sprinkler of fire alarm systems

Unfortunately, the dangerous conditions at this Queens home are not unique. Property owners throughout New York commonly create illegal living spaces with construction work that is not up to code, and spaces that lack crucial safety amenities, like sprinklers and fire alarm systems.

Illegal construction work can lead to any number of accidental injuries not just to tenants, but also to the construction workers employed to build out the space.

Apartments without sprinkler and fire alarm systems have claimed the lives on countless New Yorkers. Just this past month, two people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a Bronx apartment fire. The apartments where the fire started did not have working smoke alarms.

The personal injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers have successfully represented New York City renters since 1972.

If you were injured at no fault of your own contact us today for a free case evaluation.