berniekern, please let us know how it turns out.

So if it is Worldwide Plaza, that's where there are a number of short term rentals. It's a huge, 50-some story condominium. I've rented there several times. Illegal? Well, not exactly. The way I understand it is that owners are allowed to rent out their units. What is a "glitch" in the bylaws is that any renters must be approved by a board in a personal interview something like 30 days before renting along with something like a $300 application fee. Yea -- right. Like someone will fly over a month earlier from England for an interview to stay there. I went to an open house in the building and the real estate agent actually told me that many people rent out short term. Everyone knows they do it, including the board, but it's too involved to change the bylaws and the current policy protects them a bit should there be a major problem with some renter. What happens when you rent there is usually that you are given a letter of introduction to present to the concierge when you arrive. It lists you as a friend of the owner who will be staying there which exempts you from being required to be approved. So what does that mean? If someone gave me several thousand dollars to rent my apartment for a week, I'd certainly call them my friend -- and I don't think that would be lying. Not exactly kosher, but hardly what one would call outrageous fraud or illegal activity either.

berniekern, I think you'll love the apartment and the building. The doormen and staff couldn't be nicer. This is where I "lost" my partner with Alzheimer's just hours after our arrival. They couldn't have been nicer there. And yes, they "knew" we were renting the apartment, although we had that letter of introduction as friends of the owner.

It may work perfectly for you, Patrick and everyone else who stays there short term, but I still cannot condon "cheating the system".

To all those suggesting caution! You asked for a report: I had a lovely week in NYC with my family- five of us- in a delightful 3 bedroom penthouse apartment in midtown, west 50th street. Rented from owner and felt completely legal. Yes, it was Worldwide Plaza-a fine building, everyone friendly and would look forward to doing it again.

I am happy it worked out for you berniekern. It is good to know that these are nice apartments.

Will you be writing a trip report Bernie? I'm glad your apartment worked out, as people here are always looking for 3 bedroom units. I'd love to hear the details on it. Did you find any good restaurants or activities you can share also?

Glad you were able to find what you are looking for.

The NYC tourism website also has a list of apartments available for short term rentals-which might help mitigate the fear of scams to some extent.

The main reason for the "illegal" status of most apartments for short terms stays is mainly because of the fire code (need sprinklers and clear fire exits for transient occupancy)

From a recent article:
"Last month, the city raided a commercial building on N. Sixth Street that contained two hostels. One was shuttered, but the other was allowed to remain open because it had the proper fire exits and sprinkler systems."

Also: "a 2009 Appellate Court decision that ruled that a hotel is legal if a majority of single-room units in a building are leased to tenants for a period over 30 days a month."

Sources: http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories..._overview.html

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories...ll+articles%29