Context: I'm 29, travelling solo to San Francisco & New-York for the first time. I have a budget of around $140-170 a night. I'll be doing a week in each but my concern pertains mostly to New York given the recent law brought in.

I just want some privacy, cleanness and a kitchen so I can cook meals. Therefore a 'whole apartment' on Airbnb really appealed to me.

However, I'm worried now because it's breaking the law. What is the general feeling on whether this is enforced?

And as a person renting, if caught, can you be penalised or fined? or is that only for the host.

I've tried searching legit apartment/hotels but the prices are much above my range so I'm afraid i may be looking at a hostel or taking the risk with Airbnb.