Local Law 18 was designed to regulate the operation of illegal hotels and protect New York City's housing stock, which it did. However, its broad application also caused unintended consequences for small private homeowners, who became collateral damage of a policy written to target much larger, multi-dwelling properties. These homeowners, many of whom rely on short-term rentals as a financial lifeline, found themselves caught in a web of confusion and legal risks. 

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Intro 948 was introduced to address these concerns, initially expanding the occupancy threshold for short-term rentals in 1 and 2 family residences to allow homeowners to reasonably participate in the home-sharing market. However, as enforcement under the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) began, vague language in the law created confusion, making it difficult for homeowners to comply without fear of penalties.

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The current version of Intro 948 seeks to increase the number of borders a permanent resident can have in their home. While this is a step in the right direction, further clarifications within the Administrative Code are still necessary to ensure consistent enforcement and protect small homeowners from undue penalties. The law must strike a balance—allowing homeowners to generate income while safeguarding the city's housing stock without unfairly targeting those who were never the problem.