Is this New York living?
Dubious vans that are being rented out as Airbnbs have been circulating on the Upper East Side for months; residents complain guests resort to urinating and defecating on the street.
To make the situation clear: guests pay at least $96 a night plus fees to sleep on a mattress inside a van parked on the street.
The vehicles have the potential to rake in over $100,000 a year if fully booked. A white Chevrolet van parked on one block on East 87th Street for two weeks in June quickly drew concern from neighbors. With a constant flow of different guests staying for a few days at a time, some relieved themselves on the street.
An Airbnb spokesperson said it is against policy for hosts to rent out space on public property.
The vans are rented out by Magda Agata, a name used by Magdalena Kulisz, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Miss Immigrant USA, a networking group that holds a “community activity pageant.” The organization lists the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the New York City Sheriff among its “patrons and sponsors.”
Three Upper East Side listings have appeared on Airbnb with reviews going back to February. Titles include “Lovely rv place,” “NYC Van Experience” and “The NYC RV.” All pictured the same vehicle, with a bed, a small sink and a toilet placed between the two car seats. A sign taped to the lid of the toilet reads “For Emergency USE only please! Please avoid doing #2 here!”
Kulisz claims in her postings the vans have a “portable AC” but said there was no Wi-Fi, hot water or shower.
The listings assured vacationers that “our property is legally parked and insured.”.
She cautions guests against leaving less than five stars, noting anything less than that is considered a negative reviews. Not all reviews for what is literally a van in the street have been positive, however.
