Owner guide
Furnished or Unfurnished: Choosing for Your NYC Apartment
Furniture changes who rents, for how long, and what you need to manage. It does not change the minimum-stay rules.
The 30-day line
In most New York City apartment buildings, renting for fewer than 30 consecutive days is allowed only if the permanent resident is present during the stay, with at most two paying guests, and the host must be registered with the city’s Office of Special Enforcement under Local Law 18. An owner who does not live in the apartment cannot offer it for short stays.
A stay of 30 days or more is outside that registration system, but that alone does not make it allowed: your condo or co-op may set a longer minimum term, often a year, and require board approval for each lease.
Who rents furnished, and who rents unfurnished
Furnished apartments appeal to tenants on assignments, relocations, renovations or a first year in New York, often for shorter leases within the building’s minimum. Unfurnished apartments attract tenants planning to stay, which usually means longer leases and fewer turnovers.
What to weigh
| Furnished | Unfurnished | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | Often higher, depending on furniture quality and terms | Market rent for the apartment itself |
| Lease length | Often shorter, within the building’s minimum | Usually one year or more |
| Your work | Inventory, wear, replacement, insurance | Fewer items to manage |
| Turnover | More frequent, with more vacancy risk | Less frequent |
If you choose furnished
- A dated, photographed inventory attached to the lease
- Insurance that covers furnished leasing
- Linens, kitchenware and a clear list of what stays
- A plan for repairs and replacements during the lease
This guide explains common steps for owners. It is not legal or tax advice; for a decision about your lease, your building documents or your taxes, consult an attorney or tax professional.
Sources
Checked 2026-11-09. Rules change: confirm the current version before relying on them.