Currently wending its way through the crooked corridors of the NY State Senate is a bill that will ban short term rentals by homeowners of 30 days or less. Yes, the government, kowtowing to the powerful Hotel lobby no doubt, is limiting our right to do what we want with our own apartments. The bill would cover New York City only and though its being touted as a way to protect visitors to the city, its clearly protecting big business interests to the detriment of the individual owner.

I've seen similar bills passed in Las Vegas and Maui County and the effect has been disastrous for visitors in both places. Its meant that people wishing to rent apartments or condos--perhaps because they want more space than a hotel room can give, perhaps because they need kitchen facilities--have had to go onto the unregulated black market to find what they want. And believe you me that black market does exist. And visitors are much more likely to be conned finding some place on CraigsList than they are dealing with the many reputable, long established companies who deal in short term rentals and will be driven out of business by this new bill.

I'm taking this all personally, as I have many friends who are actors, writers and artists who find the costs of living in NYC prohibitive. To make ends meet, they rent out their homes to tourists every once in a while. No-one is harmed. The tourist pays less than they would at a hotel. The low-earning, creative NYer gets a little bit of extra cash. And everyone is happy. Remember: many buildings don't allow this type of short term rental anyway. They're already regulating this for tenants who don't want transient visitors as temporary neighborhs. There's no reason for Big Brother, in the person of the NY State Senate, to step in.

If you think this is a bad move (as I, Pauline Frommer, do), please contact your State Senator to express your displeasure. There isn't much time. The bill is supposed to be voted on soon.

Thanks for reading!