Town Cracks Down On Illegal Rentals

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Southampton Town is fighting back against a spike in illegal rentals, town officials said.

To that end, Southampton Town code enforcement officers conducted an operation in Bridgehampton Friday; the properties were advertised on the internet but did not have rental permits, town officials added.

As a result, 12 notices of violation and two field appearance tickets were issued to individuals for renting without a permit, a release from Southampton Town said. NOV violators have 30 days to comply; a FAT was given to property owners when a renter was on the property. No one was evicted, the town said..

The purpose of the rental permit is to determine the condition of the rental properties with an eye toward safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the public, town officials added.

“These property owners are breaking the law and risking lives,” said Southampton Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator Steven Troyd. “A rental permit only costs $200 and it could save a life or protect occupants from injury.”

Code enforcement now accepts credit cards and is working to improve the permitting process through e-permitting, town officials said.

Numerous other properties are still under investigation.

Patch file photo.