French Cities Battle Airbnb: New Rental Regulations Shake Up Tourism
Across France, cities are tightening their grip on Airbnb and other tourist rentals, enacting new laws designed to combat housing shortages and regulate the booming short-term rental market. These rules, granting mayors increased authority to limit rental durations, are reshaping the landscape for property owners, tourists, and local economies alike. The move is primarily aimed at addressing the rising cost of housing in tourist hotspots.
Mayors Gain Power to Curb Tourist Rentals
As November 2024, French mayors have been armed with new legal tools to manage the proliferation of tourist accommodations. They can now cap the number of days an individual can rent out their primary residence annually, effectively curbing the short-term rental market.
Quentin Brackers De Hugo, President of Hostnfly, a concierge service, notes the impact varies.”In Paris, it doesn’t impact so much… but in some cities, it’s drastic.” Marie Pistinier,President of The Union Of Furnished Rental Professionals,reports members redirecting properties to medium-and long-term leases due to the evolving regulations.
Authorization Required For Second Homes
Manny cities now require owners renting out second homes on platforms like Airbnb or Abritel to obtain authorization from the town hall to convert the property to commercial use.
Jacques Baudrier, Assistant to the Housing of The Town Hall Of Paris, asserts, “We are winning the battle against Airbnb.” In Biarritz, regulations have become so stringent that, according to Hostnfly’s President, “almost no new accommodation can be rented, and authorizations are not renewed by the town hall.”
Did You Know? In 2023, Amsterdam banned Airbnb rentals in several central neighborhoods to preserve local housing.
Brackers De Hugo counters that secondary residences will remain empty “on average 330 days a year,” and the decline in tourist rentals negatively impacts “local tourism and local shops.” He laments, “In Biarritz, traders looked gray last year.”
The Hunt for Illegal Rentals Intensifies
Municipalities can now actively hunt for illegal tourist rentals,a move considered “very captivating” by Brackers De Hugo.He critiques the “too strict” quotas in certain cities,citing Saint-Malo’s limit of 370 authorized tourist rentals in the old town.
Nice reports success in curbing seasonal rentals through quotas and other measures. Anthony Borré, First Deputy Mayor of Nice, Housing Delegate, notes that up to 70% of tourist housing in districts like Old Nice and the Promenade des Anglais is held by professional investors and these measures have “to influence the curve of the number of seasonal rentals for two to three years”.
Pro Tip: Always check local regulations *before* listing yoru property on short-term rental platforms to avoid fines and legal issues.
Airbnb reports seeing no critically important recent change in overall French listings, noting 7,000 fewer ads in Paris in April compared to October, and 1,000 more in Nice.
The new law prevents owners from hiding behind real estate companies (SCI) or concierge services, subjecting them to the same regulations as individuals.
Baudrier explains,”Before,there could be abuses… The town hall of Paris ensures that the law is followed… The meshes of the net are more and more thin.”
Assistant Jacques Baudrier explains, “As we are gaining more and more trials and the fines are much higher, the owners will gradually stop at risk.” he estimates 25,000 illegal tourist rentals in Paris alone.
baudrier anticipates, “We are in a dynamic where, now, the legal arsenal is favorable to us, so we will very strongly limit the number of illegal tourist furniture.” Paris employs field agents to investigate networks, gather evidence, and pursue legal action.
What’s your take on these new regulations? Are they a necessary step to address housing shortages, or an overreach that could harm tourism?
| City | Regulation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | Increased enforcement, stricter fines | Reduction in illegal rentals |
| Biarritz | Limited new rental permits | Significant restrictions on tourist rentals |
| Nice | Quotas, focus on professional investors | Slowing the growth of seasonal rentals |
| Saint-Malo | Strict limits on rentals in historic areas | Limited availability of tourist accommodations |
Impact on Local Tourism
Critics argue that restricting tourist rentals could negatively impact local tourism, reducing accommodation options and hurting associated businesses. The debate continues weather the benefits of increased housing outweigh the potential drawbacks for the tourism sector. For example,A recent study by the institute for policy studies found that cities with stricter short-term rental regulations frequently enough see a stabilization of rental prices,but a potential decrease in tourist spending of up to 15%.
How might other popular tourist destinations balance the need for affordable housing with the economic benefits of tourism?
Frequently Asked Questions About French airbnb Regulations
- What are the new regulations for Airbnb rentals in France?
- How do these regulations impact Airbnb owners?
- Which cities are most affected by the new rental rules?
- What is the goal of limiting tourist rentals?
- How are illegal Airbnb rentals being addressed?
new laws in France empower mayors to limit the number of days a property can be rented out as a tourist accommodation, especially in areas facing housing shortages.
owners may face restrictions on how often they can rent their properties,potentially impacting their income and requiring them to consider longer-term rental options.
Cities like Paris, Biarritz, Nice, and Saint-Malo are actively implementing these regulations, with varying degrees of strictness.
The primary goal is to alleviate housing crises in popular tourist destinations by increasing the availability of long-term rentals for residents.
Municipalities are increasing investigations, imposing stricter fines, and closing loopholes that previously allowed owners to evade regulations through real estate companies.
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