A homeowner in Queens has allegedly turned his residence into an illegal Airbnb-like establishment, creating multiple units and even installing soda machines. Despite this, he has refused to settle a hefty $420,000 fine imposed when the authorities caught on, as stated in a recent lawsuit.
Gurcharan Kaur reportedly hasn’t made any payments regarding the accusation that he transformed his Kew Gardens home to operate as a daily rental, accumulating seven separate fines of $60,000 each since fall 2022.
The Administrative Court ruled against him, yet Kaur still hasn’t paid nearly $500,000 in fines, and according to the city, it’s now too late for him to contest the violation.
During an administrative hearing in 2023, Kaur’s son disputed the violation but, according to the lawsuit, he failed to present enough evidence to counter the claims made by the Department of Buildings (DOB).
“We utilize all available measures to deal with unsafe and illegal short-term rentals, ensuring that fines imposed will be enforced rather than disregarded,” city officials stated.
Kaur’s properties, listed under the name “Nick,” were documented in city records indicating a range of short-term rental activities. His son expressed frustration at the building department for hindering their renting efforts, stating he had reached out since last October without receiving any response.
While the son, who identifies as a contractor, didn’t comment on the rental allegations, city officials maintained that he “rejected the fines.” They also noted they struggled to locate homeowner records.
Back in early 2022, the city implemented Local Law 18, which primarily targets short-term rentals from platforms like Airbnb, with Kaur’s home reportedly falling under this regulation.
Documents from the DOB reveal the property was set up with seven furnished rooms, each labeled with door numbers and locks. Neighbors had raised concerns about Kaur renting out the space, leading to an inspection in October 2022.
Upon checking the residence, inspectors found neatly arranged sheets, “no smoking” signs, labeled keys, and even vending machines stocked with snacks. During the visit, it was reported that they encountered several tenants, including a minor.
Some residents confirmed they were booking through Airbnb, while another claimed to be there for a month to help care for a sick relative. Kaur argued that he purchased the house as a “guest house” for family use, although inspectors found no evidence linking the tenants as relatives.
Despite stating that the vending machine was just “for show,” Kaur faced a complete vacancy order during the inspection, along with the hefty fine.
A nearby neighbor mentioned that while the renters weren’t excessively disruptive, they often caused minor annoyances like blocking her driveway. Even after the vacancy order was enacted, she noted seeing people inside the home. However, a building inspector was unable to confirm any violation during a recent check.
Earlier this year, the building department did approve a request for Kaur to convert the house legally into two-family homes. Nevertheless, city officials reiterated that as the home comprises fewer than three units, a nearly $500,000 fine would still have to be paid even if the building does conform to regulations.
