NYC Hotel License Bill Rattles Hospitality Industry

Real Estate attorney Stuart Saft was quoted in an article published by Law360 expressing concerns over New York City's Safe Hotels Act, particularly around staffing provisions and the impact on hotel operations. The bill introduces licensing requirements for hotels, along with mandates that core employees be employed directly by the hotel owner, front desks be covered at all times and cleanliness standards. Mr. Saft warned that the act's stringent requirements could potentially force hotels across the city to close and negatively affect the hospitality industry's recovery post-pandemic. Additionally, he criticized the bill for lacking clear guidelines on licensee evaluation, fearing it might grant undue discretion to city commissioners.

"You're going to lose a huge number of hotels in Brooklyn and Queens and the Bronx and Staten Island that just can't meet these requirements," he said.

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