Press Release
Contact: Ryan Murphy 631.702.1700
Town of Southampton, NY September 1, 2022 — The Town of Southampton is aware of continued attempts by gangs attempting to rent properties within the Town to host parties. Southampton Town Police Department Intel became aware that members of a dangerous street gang reserved a rental residence in the Town and were promoting a large-scale party. The residence was advertised on the internet as a short-term rental. The police intelligence community works tirelessly to try and head off these type of dangerous situations, and the public can help by keeping these illegal short term rentals from happening.
“Not only could a rental such as this have devastating effects on a property, as was seen in the situation that the Police Department responded to in North Sea last year, conducting rentals in this fashion is also an illegal act by the property owner,” said Captain James Kiernan of the Southampton Town Police Department. Kiernan indicated that the Police Department works closely with the Department of Public Safety Code Enforcement Division to try and address illegal rental issues throughout the Town whenever they become aware of potential illegal rental situations.
Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator Ryan Murphy said, “Code Enforcement is routinely searching the different internet rental platforms to try and identify properties without permits, as well as responding to resident complaints regarding potential illegal rentals.” Murphy indicated that his office routinely works with the Police Department to try and interrupt the illegal rental process before tragic situations happen, but that the ease of listing a house online for rent makes the task challenging. “Property owners who participate in transient, short-term rentals are placing their property at risk and are also committing Code violations that could result in summonses,” Murphy said.
Although the property involved with the 2021 North Sea rental was not listed on Airbnb, the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management is working with the company to share information about the Town’s rental rules with hosts, including adding Town information on Airbnb’s host resource page. “The Town is thrilled to embark on this cooperative effort with Airbnb and hopes that this outreach results in greater compliance and safety throughout the Town,” said Ryan Murphy.
For additional information on renting and the rental application/permitting process in the Town of Southampton, please visit https://www.southamptontownny.gov/170/Code- Enforcement.