A new “anti-airbnb” law was promulgated this Wednesday, November 20 and aims to fight against short-term vacation rentals. In Carcassonne (Aude), residents and elected officials are also speaking out against this proliferation of furnished tourist accommodation, which threatens neighborhood life.
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At the foot of the city of Carcassonne (Aude), key boxes are visible on every street corner, in the Barbacane district. Here, furnished tourist accommodation represents almost 30% of homes. For local residents, like Bernadette, “There are a few too many but do we have a choice? The population is leaving.” An observation shared by Thierry, who assures that his street was called “the village street”. Now it is “the tourist street”.
If residents desert, businesses do not suffer. On the contrary, they are boosted by tourist numbers. Matthieu Marfaing, grocer, assures us: “Even if we have an annual local clientele, seasonal rental brings in more than being negligible, and that makes us work a lot.”
The presence of these rentals would, however, reach the threshold of tolerance, according to the opposition, which wishes to put a brake on their proliferation. Tamara Rivel, opposition municipal councilor (PS), declares: “When a neighborhood empties its permanent residents, there are consequences.” She gives the example of the Barbacane school, whose numbers have declined so much that the establishment has had to “to close its doors”.
Short-term accommodation benefits traders in Carcassonne (Aude).
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© Chloé Fabre / FTV
But for his part, the mayor (various right) Gerard Larrat recalls that many homes remain vacant and refutes the existence of real tensions over housing. During the municipal council meeting on November 14, he nevertheless admitted that it was necessary “work on these issues” and set possible limitations.
It is especially for the hotel industry that short-term rental is a threat. Competition is tough, because 25% of nights escape payment of the tourist tax. How ? Travelers who have already gone through Airbnb for the first time would no longer go through the platform, making arrangements with the owners.
The hotel sector is threatened by the giant Airbnb.
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© Chloé Fabre / FTV
Carcasonne town hall has announced a commission to examine the subject, which will bring together elected officials as well as real estate and tourism professionals. Nationally, a so-called “anti-airbnb” law has been promulgated in the Official Journal on Wednesday November 20. She aims precisely to encourage property owners to rent their accommodation for long periods, rather than furnished tourist accommodation.
