Manhattan hotel owner to pay city $ 290 million for illegal guests

New York imposed a $ 290 million fine on the owner of a building in Manhattan. He illegally rented out part of the apartments intended for low-income residents of the city for short-term rent. The edition writes about it Daily News.

It is alleged that the owner illegally rented out part of the apartments in this building for short-term rent. The residents regularly smoked marijuana and listened to loud music, interfering with other residents who legally rent housing here.

Despite its name, the Imperial Court Hotel at 79 W. Street was ordered to provide only permanent accommodation in 2016. But inspectors found that 99 of the 227 apartments in the building were being rented out as hotel rooms, according to the city's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). “In a time of heightened concern about safe affordable housing and resident rights, this decision marks an important victory for all New Yorkers,” said Christian Klossner, CEO of OSE.

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Residents of Imperial Court helped uncover the violation, claiming that short-term tenants "regularly smoke cigarettes and marijuana ... and this smoke seeps into the plaintiffs' rooms." “Temporary residents regularly host parties and listen to music at any time of the day,” the complaint adds.

This building is owned by Michael Edelstein. Congregational member Linda Rosenthal, who revealed his name, said: "Every unit that Michael Edelstein has made available to illegal hotel guests is a potential home that should now be available as permanent housing for low-income New Yorkers." ...

The law firm representing Imperial Court did not respond to a request for comment.

The illegal settlement was discovered as the city began to fight illegal rent payments, and followed the June agreement with AirBnB.