[C19fan]

They can talk all about "protecting" tourists, but knowing this is NY so the real reason I am sure is the hotel lobby started to complain and their whores in Albany listened. How many tourists who cannot afford $250+ night rooms in Manhattan will instead saw "screw you" NY and spend their vacation money someplace else.

[GeronL]

I do not see why it is the governments business if I want to let someone sleep on my couch for a few bucks.

This is just another barrier against the free market.

[flipper999]

I imagine that they will find ways around this stupidity...eg instead of renting for 1 night for $250 you rent for a month for $1.. however there is a daily entrance/exit fee of $249.

[Joe 6-pack]

"How many tourists who cannot afford $250+ night rooms in Manhattan will instead saw "screw you" NY and spend their vacation money someplace else."

The last two years, I've had to work in and around NYC for a 2-3 month stretch. I've stayed in the Motel 6 in Piscataway, NJ...

[Malone LaVeigh]

I guess that they can always open their homes to their “cousin Harry”, who will be glad to kick in a few bucks for “groceries”. ;-)

[MortMan]

The real reason is the hotel taxes paid for each night stayed.

The second real reason is that some of these sub-letters don’t report their income from the rentals, I’m sure.

Follow the money.

[thefactor]

Renting for less than a month is wise. In NYS, if you sleep anywhere for 30 days straight you have legal standing in that dwelling and it’ll take months to get you out legally.

[GOPJ]

It might also be hard for New York to tax a family renting out a room a few nights a year... I don’t think they’re doing this because they “care”...

[KarlInOhio]

Money exchanged is for time and companionship only. This is not an offer of room rental. Anything else that may occur is a matter of personal choice between two consenting adults of legal age.

Of course the police will have to troll Craigslist and set up apartment rental stings.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Protecting hotels and stopping people from making a few dollars that the government doesn’t get to tax.

[a fool in paradise]

When I needed a room in NYC on short notice, I couldn’t even find one for $400 (there was a $250 room that went in 15 minutes after I got over the sticker shock). Never did get a room.

[SunkenCiv]

Hundreds of New Yorkers, like others nationwide, have been making a few extra dollars by using sites such as AirBnB, Crashpadder, Roomorama, and Craigslist to sublet pullout sofas, living rooms, and whole apartments. But that may end soon. This week, New York state senators vote on a bill that would make it illegal for any homeowner or renter to sublet for less than a month. The new law would be a blanket ban on short-term rentals no matter how ethical the renter is. (It's always been illegal to violate co-op leases and condominium bylaws.)

I'm sure this crackdown will be just as effective as the Rent Control Act. Abby Hoffman was living under an assumed name, on the run from various charges -- and yet managed to sublet his rent-controlled apartment all during his exile.

• KC Craig, Craigs List Kansas City: For those who contend Hamas and other militant Arabs in Gaza are seeking a peaceful solution with Israel you'll have a hard time explaining these rocket attacks by them. Hamas will not remove or disavow from it's charter the destruction of Israel as a goal. What is the point of Israel agreeing to a ceasefire with Hamas when it is obvious that the sole purpose is for Hamas to lick their wounds and rebuild their offensive arsenal. Hamas does not want peace with Israel, never has and never will.

[ExGeeEye]

Too easy. Charge $200 or whatever a month, get the person’s name on a 30-day lease, they stay for a week and go home.