Town Cracks Down On Illegal Room Rentals Near Stony Brook University Campus

BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island town is cracking down on illegal room rentals near the Stony Brook University campus.

The Town of Brookhaven has taken 68 landlords to court this year for allegedly illegally renting rooms to students in their single-family homes, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.

One homeowner reportedly rented rooms in his single-family home to 14 students, Xirinachs reported.

At least 30 other homes are under investigation.

Nearby residents have complained about loud parties and parking problems and said the issue is lowering property values.

"It hurts the resale value," one resident said. "You see these poor people they had to sell the house, they're losing money."

According to a report in Newsday, the university has tried to combat the problem by changing its policy on advertising off-campus rentals, but many residents blame the landlords who they say have become greedy.

"Unfortunately, the landlords want to make easy money," one residents said.

"You know there are some landlords that are going to take advantage of it and they're going to try to make some money on it, that's what's happened, it's gotten to that point where it's just about the money more than anything," another resident said.

Earlier this year, homeowners called for tougher enforcement of rental guidelines.

A university spokesperson told Newsday the school is planning to add 1,100 beds in the next five years.

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