Haven’t you always wanted to visit New York City? It took us years to finally visit because we always thought it was too expensive. But our New York vacation rentals made it affordable.
The Truth about New York Vacation Rentals
When we finally made it in 2010 we stayed in a low-budget hotel that had a shared bathroom and a tiny cramped bed. We got to see New York, but it wasn’t exactly the fairytale vacation that we always wanted. Cut to years later, and we finally feel that we’ve done New York in style on a budget with New York Vacation Rentals.
Our trip started off in Brooklyn staying in a historic brownstone apartment. Having the chance to stay in a residential neighborhood and experiencing life the way a true New Yorker does, made us feel a part of the city. How cool did we feel walking up the steps of our own brownstone and fantasizing that we actually lived in one of the most vibrant cities on earth? Read: Things to do in Times Square – A Walking Tour and Nearby Attractions
We went out to dinner where the locals eat thanks to the recommendations of Roman, the owner of our apartment, we stopped at the local wine shop, ordered coffee at the neighborhood coffee shop, and rode the subway like a couple of pros. We felt at home in New York. Check out 30 Best New York Views – Where to See the Manhattan Skyline
We didn’t feel like the rest of the tourists running around snapping photos of the Statue of Liberty or the bull on Wall Street, instead, we were experiencing New York City the way New Yorkers do.
We walked around Williamsburg with a latte in hand, strolled along the banks of the East River in DUMBO, and even popped over to Coney Island for a hot dog. We could get used to living like this.
Illegal New York Vacation Rentals Explained
Not only do you feel like a local when you stay in an apartment, but you also save a lot of money. You can cook your meals at home freeing up a lot of budgets to get out there and see the sights, you have the opportunity to stay in more affordable neighborhoods out of the tourist traps and if you are families who need more than one bedroom, you can rent a larger apartment at huge savings with multiple bedrooms.
However, in New York, many vacation apartment rentals are illegal and it’s important to understand the rules of what to rent and how to protect yourself.
Vacation apartment rental laws differ city-by-city, region-by-region, and country-by-country so it is important for you to understand the rules before you book your accommodation anywhere in the world.
New York is one of the places where many apartment rentals are illegal. HouseTrip insists that all hosts accept their terms and conditions, (which state that they are abiding with the laws of their region in relation to holiday rentals) but it’s impossible to check all 250,000 listings. However, that is why they have taken measures to protect their customers.
There are legal vacation apartment rentals in New York and if you know what to look for, you too can experience a great local experience in the city. We talked to Roman of Historic Brownstones about why some apartments are illegal and what people should look for when booking their apartments.
What To Look For When Renting An Apartment In New York
Beware Of Apartments In High Rises
In New York, if a property looks like it’s in a high rise where there are more than three apartments it could be illegal. New York is trying to prevent people from buying up blocks of residential apartments to use as vacation rentals.
Look for shared spaces, self-contained apartments within single houses (like an apartment that has been carved out of space in a freestanding brownstone), or a single home itself. These are still legal according to the new laws.
Look for privately owned units that are family run
New York is working to prevent the condos and co-ops from taking up valuable real estate for commercial use. People are driving up prices and tying up space with apartment rentals that families or individual New York City residents could be living in.
If you look for apartments in a brownstone, for example, that is most likely a single-family home where they have renovated an apartment legally for vacation rental use.
While there are risks to booking a vacation rental, with the help of these tips and by booking through VRBO, those risks are greatly reduced.
If you stay informed, make informed decisions, and do your research, a vacation apartment rental will help you have an enjoyable and affordable vacation in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
