Mid-Term Rentals in NYC After Local Law 18: A Guide for Owners

Since New York City began enforcing its short-term rental registration law, Local Law 18, in September 2023, the market for stays under 30 days has shrunk dramatically. Many owners have shifted to furnished stays of 30 nights or more. Here's what that shift looks like in practice.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm your situation with a New York attorney or the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement.

What Local Law 18 changed

Hosts offering stays of fewer than 30 days must register with the city, and in most buildings the host must live in the home during the stay, with limits on the number of guests. Booking platforms are barred from processing short stays for unregistered listings. For most whole-home rentals, short stays effectively ended.

Why owners moved to 30 nights or more

Stays of 30 nights or more fall outside the short-term rental rules. Demand for them is steady: travel nurses, insurance placements, relocating employees, production crews and contractors all need furnished housing by the month.

What's different about a 30-night stay

In New York, someone who occupies a home for 30 days or more generally gains tenant protections. That changes how you operate:

Screen like a landlord. Verify identity and income, and check rental history before move-in.
Use a real lease. A fixed term, a clear end date and rent due dates in writing.
Follow notice rules. Ending or not renewing a tenancy requires proper written notice.
Never use self-help. Changing locks or codes on an occupant who stays past the end date is illegal; the court process applies.

The upside

Done right, mid-term rentals mean fewer turnovers, lower cleaning costs, longer bookings and higher-quality clients, especially when you build relationships with insurance and corporate housing coordinators.

Need a hand making the switch?

We help owners transition to mid-term rentals, from screening and leases to systems and placements.