Elite Stays New York - do you know anything about them?
Jun 23rd, 2010, 12:40 PM
#21
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Actually, as I remember, it was put that the tenants were concerned about security in the building, which I can understand.
We did not have to sneak by any of the staff in the building, and in fact they were very helpful, so upon reflection it didnt seem to be a case of not being legal.
This issue is certainly one of ongoing interest!
(Also posted this reply on trip report thread)
We did not have to sneak by any of the staff in the building, and in fact they were very helpful, so upon reflection it didnt seem to be a case of not being legal.
This issue is certainly one of ongoing interest!
(Also posted this reply on trip report thread)
Jun 23rd, 2010, 02:24 PM
#22
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Arindasue, I'm glad you had a positive experience, As NeoPatrick mentioned, we only tend to hear about the bad experiences, so you add a needed perspective.
But I just wanted you to realize that not having to sneak by the staff just means that the staff knows about what's happening and /or doesn't care. If you are being asked to lie (or at least avoid mentioning) to other tenants, please realize that depending on the building type you are in, you may be lying/omitting not to other renters but to coop or condo owners--in other works the people who effectively own the building.
It would probably not been obvious to you or any other law-abiding person who goes this route, but you may (emphasis on MAY, not ARE) be violating the terms of living in the building. Does that mean you could be arrested? Very Unlikely. Does it mean you could be asked to move out or forceably removed? Possibly. Does it mean the condo owner or coop shareholder might face fines, eviction, etc. Could be, and it could be that some people who rent these apts don't care about that.
I think people who ask questions on this board about short term apartment rentals have every right to do so. Hotel prices here are crazy. But I think it's actually very responsible for people who answer to repeat over and over that there are many many pitfalls with going that route--everything from total scam to what some people but many of us who live here don't consider a "gray area".
Neopatrick, I completely agree that when someone says they are looking at a "cheap" apartment, it isn't very helpful to suggest places that cost 3 times as much. It's very hard to come up with a genuinely helpful response sometimes
But I just wanted you to realize that not having to sneak by the staff just means that the staff knows about what's happening and /or doesn't care. If you are being asked to lie (or at least avoid mentioning) to other tenants, please realize that depending on the building type you are in, you may be lying/omitting not to other renters but to coop or condo owners--in other works the people who effectively own the building.
It would probably not been obvious to you or any other law-abiding person who goes this route, but you may (emphasis on MAY, not ARE) be violating the terms of living in the building. Does that mean you could be arrested? Very Unlikely. Does it mean you could be asked to move out or forceably removed? Possibly. Does it mean the condo owner or coop shareholder might face fines, eviction, etc. Could be, and it could be that some people who rent these apts don't care about that.
I think people who ask questions on this board about short term apartment rentals have every right to do so. Hotel prices here are crazy. But I think it's actually very responsible for people who answer to repeat over and over that there are many many pitfalls with going that route--everything from total scam to what some people but many of us who live here don't consider a "gray area".
Neopatrick, I completely agree that when someone says they are looking at a "cheap" apartment, it isn't very helpful to suggest places that cost 3 times as much. It's very hard to come up with a genuinely helpful response sometimes
Jun 23rd, 2010, 08:04 PM
#23
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Agree with nyer that many people from outside the city may not understand the city's unusual situation regarding either rental apartments (rents on many apartments are controlled by the city - so landlords are always trying to get rid of tenants not using the apartment themselves and some tenants are looking for a way to pay for an apartment tey want to keep illegally - while actually living elsewhere).
Condo and co-op rules are also sometimes different in than in many places - and few places have co-ops (which dominate here) in large numbers. Illegal subleters are violating their apartment leases and can have them cancelled (and thus their mortgage on their company shares rescinded since they no longer have any collateral to support it) - because they don't want to follow the terms of their contracts - and are thus abusing the rights of the other owner/tenants to know and approve who lives in their building.
If someone can find a truly legal sublet - good for them - but it's VERY rare. If your rental is illegal it's most likely that you will not suffer any consequences - although it is possible - depending on how irritated the other owners are by the situation.
Condo and co-op rules are also sometimes different in than in many places - and few places have co-ops (which dominate here) in large numbers. Illegal subleters are violating their apartment leases and can have them cancelled (and thus their mortgage on their company shares rescinded since they no longer have any collateral to support it) - because they don't want to follow the terms of their contracts - and are thus abusing the rights of the other owner/tenants to know and approve who lives in their building.
If someone can find a truly legal sublet - good for them - but it's VERY rare. If your rental is illegal it's most likely that you will not suffer any consequences - although it is possible - depending on how irritated the other owners are by the situation.
Jun 23rd, 2010, 09:09 PM
#24
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As a clarification, the apartment I rented was a corporate rental described on the corporation's website as being one of four executive suites available as part of their service for their clients, as well as being available for rental at times when it was not needed by them.
Jul 4th, 2010, 02:19 PM
#25
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We are currently staying at one of Elite Stays apartments (studio at 208 W. 23rd St.) It is great! Really clean, stocked with essentials like shampoos, soaps, cleaning supplies, etc. Wireless, wide-screen t.v., laundry room in the basement. I booked it 6 months ago for $ 129. night and it sleeps 4 of us (queen bed and queen sofa). Great location in Chelsea with the #1 sub on the corner. It was easy to book and we just checked in with the doorman when we arrived. I've booked these types of apt. all over Europe too and they always turn out to be great places and stays.
Jul 5th, 2010, 12:40 PM
#26
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Hmmmmm. Nice, RembrandtRocks, but are you telling us that in all your travels around Europe and your stay in New York, this place is the only thing you ever encountered that you felt was worth the time to register here and tell us about it?
First posts are nice, but why do I suspect advertising?
First posts are nice, but why do I suspect advertising?
Jul 5th, 2010, 03:05 PM
#27
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Ummmm...yes! WillTravel asked for personal experience about Elite Stays, so I thought I'd add my two-cents worth. You can suspect whatever you want, but at the end of the day, I'm staying in this great apartment and am sharing my positive experience. Up to you to believe it or not!
Jul 6th, 2010, 12:22 PM
#28
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anything else in New York worth telling us about?
Or any recommendations for apartment stays elsewhere you've been? I've been in communication with a couple of others, as we are all looking for nice apt. rentals in London, where there seems to be more scams than real ones these days. So any inside information about stays there would be appreciated.
Or any recommendations for apartment stays elsewhere you've been? I've been in communication with a couple of others, as we are all looking for nice apt. rentals in London, where there seems to be more scams than real ones these days. So any inside information about stays there would be appreciated.
Jul 6th, 2010, 02:36 PM
#29
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Nothing else in NYC, since I searched a lot and couldn't find anything as reasonable as what we have now. We had good experiences in Europe renting through homelidays.com. These are private residences rented by the owners on this site, so sometimes you have to pay in cash when you meet them to get the keys. But it was worth it, because they were always in great locations and very nice places, as well as far cheaper than hotels or B & B;s, esp. in places like Venice where it's so expensive to eat out. I taught in London for 3 months, so we had a longer stay set up with the university I taught at, however, there are professors looking to rent apts. on sabbaticalhomes.com. We've also had good experiences exchanging our home with people in Ireland, San Diego, and Paris through intervac.com and homeexchange.com. It may sound strange to set up an exchange with people you don't know, but usually you start communicating with them months in advance and get to know them beforehand. My youngest daughter actually became good friends and pen pals with one of the daughters from our Irish exchange.
Good luck! RR
Good luck! RR
