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Proposed N.Y. State Law Would Crack Down On Illegal Airbnb Rentals

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A new report issued Monday claims that 55 percent of unique Airbnb listings in New York City are for an entire apartment or home and likely violate state law.

As WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported, state Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) has sponsored a measure that passed both houses of the Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Andrew Cuomo's signature.

The bill, Rosenthal said, "would make it illegal to advertise illegal units."

She explained the kind of rentals permitted and forbidden under a 2010 state law.

"When someone offers an apartment for less than 30 days if they are not present at the time, if you live in a one or two family home, go for it, it's fine. If you're there while you rent out, it's fine," she said.

Her measure would fine the apartment owner between $1,000 and $7,500 for advertising an illegal rental.

Airbnb Spokesman Nick Papas has said in the past that the vast majority of hosts are everyday people who share their space a few nights a week.

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