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Welcome to the Short Term Renters & Hospitality Association
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What's New at STRAHA
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- Novemvber 2010: STRAHA approved for not-for-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(6) entity
status
- Dec.1, 2010: Straha retains Cordo and Co. to lobby on their
behalf
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STRAHA Related News
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December 1, 2010 |
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Dear Vacation Rental Professional, |
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As you are probably aware, in June 2010 bill A10008 was signed into law by
NY Governor David Paterson. This law makes it illegal in New York to rent or sublease
any private apartment for a term of less than 30 days, effective May 1, 2011. |
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The law effectively closes any loopholes that existed that allowed you to legally
operate your short term rental business. Additionally, the same internet that made
it easy for you to find guests will make it that much easier for the authorities
to enforce this law. |
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In response, and to challenge this law, the Short Term Renters and Hospitality Association
has been formed, or STRAHA. STRAHA is a not-for-profit Trade Association
made up of short-term apartment rental owners, managers and brokers. The members
of STRAHA believe that the new law was written much too broadly, and passed without
due process, and while it was intended to curtail certain unsafe practices associated
with hostels and illegal hotels, it will in fact completely eliminate the short
term apartment rental business - a robust and legitimate industry seen in every
major city and every country around the world. |
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An opening has been identified to revisit parts of the law. |
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The recent midterm elections have shifted the balance of power in Albany, creating
a climate that is favorable to our concerns. STRAHA has retained one of the most
influential lobbyists in the sector, John Cordo of Cordo & Co., to aggressively
represent our interests in Albany. His correspondence with both City Hall and Albany
has given him a level of confidence that key parties are open to and will understand
our specific niche as smaller operators. Additionally, when the time is right, we
will embark upon a high profile Public Relations campaign that will garner public
support by showcasing the real nature of our members businesses and the guests we
serve. We are not slumlords or scam artists,
but offer safe and secure properties that enable families with children, loved ones
of sick friends, and other individuals who would never be able to afford an extended
hotel stay in New York to come, and to bring their dollars with them. |
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Please make a one time contribution of $500. Isn?t securing the future of
your business worth the cost of a couple of nights in rental fees? |
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Our efforts, coupled with those of other industry players, stand a real chance of
having this law amended. But this costs money. While the founding members of STRAHA
have assumed the bulk of both financial and logistic responsibility for moving our
agenda forward, we are asking that you consider a one time contribution of $500
to aid in our efforts. Visit us at www.straha.org
to find out how to become a member of STRAHA, or, if you prefer, how you can donate
anonymously. I?ll be calling you in the next few days to see if you have any questions
we can answer personally. |
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Messages From STRAHA
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Trade associations exist to improve the business climate for their members. One
of the main reasons why trade associations develop is the enhance the collective
needs of a business industry which make it essential to pool resources for the purpose
of legally affecting governmental policies in a manner that is favorable to the
members? interests. |
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In the past few weeks leading up to, and after, the signing by Governor Patterson
of a law which will go into effect in New York in May, 2011 -- and which will outlaw
any lease or rental of a dwelling for less than 30 consecutive days (?Short Term
Rentals?) -- a number of meetings have been held by various players in the Short
Term Rental and related hospitality industries to try to formulate a response to
this change in the law. Without that, the Short Term Rental industry in New York
faces extinction.
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The result of these meetings was a determination to move forward in three basic
areas: (1) to retain legal counsel for the purpose of pursuing a litigation approach
to challenge the constitutionality of the law, which we argue will deprive business
owners of their property rights; (2) to retain a lobbying firm to promote the interests
of these business owners for the purpose of pursuing a lobbying agenda in Albany;
and (3) to retain a public relations firm to enhance the public image of the Short
Term Rental industry. This 3 prong approach will be launched simultaneously with
the formation of the association, with the short term goal of legalizing an industry
which is robust and plays an important role in attracting tourism and dollars to
New York. In the long term, it is anticipated that the trade association will be
used provide benefits to its members in the following additional ways.
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STRAHA Upcoming Events
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Coming Soon...
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STRAHA.org |
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PO Box 20233 |
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Greeley Station |
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NY, NY 10001 |
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Connect with STRAHA |
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