As reported today by Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-04/airbnb-teams-up-with-wework-to-lure-business-travelers Airbnb and WeWork announced a pilot program to provide Airbnb travelers the option to use WeWork office space, complete with desks, Wi-Fi, printers, meeting rooms and other amenities.
Belkin Burden Wenig & Goldman housing expert, Sherwin Belkin, Esq., who opines on the new initiative, is available for interview:
“Airbnb’s business model in New York City is predominantly facilitating short-term rentals (less than 30 days) which are often violative of a host of laws and the terms of the prime tenant’s lease. Thus far, Airbnb’s response is to deny responsibility or liability, essentially leaving tenants and owners to “hold the bag” for potential fines.
If Airbnb’s joining with WeWork places the short term renter’s business use outside of the apartment that would not create an additional concern for residential owners who are already troubled by Airbnb’s presence in their buildings. But, if in fact, the alignment by Airbnb with WeWork will now facilitate the business use of a residential apartment, that would certainly add to the already significant concerns of residential property owners where Airbnb is involved in their apartments.”
Sherwin Belkin, Esq. is a New York housing law expert, having represented owners in numerous proceedings and hearings before the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Attorney General's Real Estate Financing and Consumer Frauds Bureaus, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York State Division of Human Rights and New York City Commission on Human Rights. He has been practicing real estate and housing law for more than 40 years.
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