Assa Pays $1.2M for Illegal Airbnb Apartments

Salim Assa agreed to pay $1.2 million in a settlement over apartments illegally listed on Airbnb. That’s the largest payment of its kind in the city, according to coverage in the New York Post.

City official allege that two brothers, Eran Suki and Ben Zion Suky, rented apartments at Assa’s properties near Times Square in Midtown Manhattan and offered the apartments on Airbnb. These properties racked up more than 100 violations of local rules that prohibit illegal hotels. Officials claim the Suki brothers had a business relationship with Assa, which he denies.

“Assa has terminated the leases of the particular tenants alleged to have sublet through Airbnb and, in settling with the City, does not admit to any wrongdoing,” according to a statement by Assa Properties.

As part of the settlement, Assa’s buildings — 15 and 19 West 55th Street, 334 West 46th Street and 336 West 46th Street — will be overseen by the city and an independent property manager for the next three years.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact our New York commercial real estate editor Bendix Anderson