In 2025, mayors will be able to set Airbnb quotas in their territory. Or provide zones reserved for the construction of main residences in their local urban planning plans (PLU). These two measures appear in a proposed law “aiming to strengthen the regulatory tools for furnished tourist accommodation at the local level” which must be definitively adopted on Thursday November 7 by the National Assembly.
Supported by deputies Annaïg Le Meur (Renaissance) and Iñaki Echaniz (PS), the text was eagerly awaited by local elected officials, from all political stripes, even though its examination had been interrupted by the dissolution. “Any device that will, not prohibit, but enable better control of the establishment of furnished tourist accommodation suits us particularly well”comments Patrick Amico, housing deputy at the left-wing town hall of Marseille.
A text that goes “in the right direction”
Same satisfaction from Éric Fournier, centrist mayor of Chamonix (Haute-Savoie), who participated in the discussions to achieve this law. “It really seems to us to be going in the right direction, he said. It includes important elements with a view to better regulation and better management of the balance between the tourist component and the permanent accommodation component. »
A registration number for all seasonal rentals will now be systematically required. “Today, we find ourselves in a situation where practically anyone can transform offices into tourist accommodation without asking anyone.”reprends Patrick Amico.
For a municipality, this obligation can have very practical applications, beyond the fight against changes in use. “It is important that declarations are made at the town hall, if only for security reasons and for the management of public space, particularly for parking,” underlines Pierre-Yves Mahieu, various right-wing mayor of Cancale (Ille-et-Vilaine).
Not “an anti-Airbnb law”
Furthermore, these furnished apartments will now be subject to the same obligations in terms of energy performance diagnosis (DPE) as any apartment or house. These measures complement tax changes planned to reduce the advantages granted to the rental of furnished tourist accommodation. And they are in addition to other regulations created to respond to the development of short-term furnished rental platforms.
Eneko Aldana-Douat, regionalist mayor of Ciboure (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), describes this text as “ one more arrow in the shackles of the elected.” “This law will surely not be sufficient either, he believes. We know very well that, with each new rule, people will try to circumvent it. But we also see clearly that there is an awareness of the need to regulate this furnished tourist market which has become uncontrollable and excessive”.
Christophe Bouillon, socialist mayor of Barentin (Seine-Maritime) and president of the Association of Small Towns of France, for his part is pleased that this is not necessarily a“an anti-Airbnb law”. “In some of our territories, the very existence of Airbnb was rather a godsendhe recalls. This may have brought an offer that did not necessarily exist. »
The elected PS is also satisfied that the text allows his peers to “keep your hand” on this subject. “If they are too lax, they will quickly get slapped on the wrist by their constituents, he continues. In the other direction, if they want to develop a tourist offer, they have every interest in promoting the presence of an offer such as that of Airbnb. » An analysis shared by Pierre-Yves Mahieu : “What is important is that local elected officials retain the initiative to maintain or regain the balance of housing supply in their territory. »
The law must allow local specificities to be taken into account. “We need a toolbox that everyone can draw from,” summarizes Éric Fournier. It will remain to control the application. “This is our only question marknotes Christophe Bouillon. Not all municipalities are in the same boat. A large city may have human resources dedicated to controls. In a small town, what can possibly replace it is that everything is known quite quickly…”