Ct is “a rapidly expanding phenomenon with a strong impact”, which the La Rochelle marina management wants to put a stop to. Since it authorized, in 2015, the activity of renting boats at the quayside for tourist accommodation purposes, it “and its clients” have noted “an exponential increase” in this practice, the volume of which is estimated today “more than 20,000 nights per year”.
Like the City and Agglomeration of La Rochelle, in a crusade against Airbnb-type rentals, the management thus announces the entry into force of new internal regulations for the operation of the marina from 1is January 2025. Among the changes made to this text, which governs the marketing and use of the public domain: the outright ban on rental for accommodation.
“If this commercial activity is successful in the basins of the Old Port, it impacts the proper functioning of the marina,” explains the management, headed by Bertrand Moquay, who observed “a significant increase in neighborhood conflicts” last year. and complaints on the pontoons. This is one of the reasons given which led to this decision by the port board of directors. Added to these growing problems, according to the management, is a “diversion of the port vocation”. “From a shelter for sailing boats,” she explains, “the port becomes a place for rental of furniture for the benefit of third parties. The occupation of the body of water by boats used for hotels also contributes to extending the waiting time for boaters to be allocated a mooring berth. »
Double legal risk
Officials and users of the marina also deplore “accelerated deterioration and wear and tear of port infrastructure, the consequences of unforeseen intensive use”. “These facilities, saturated in high season, are not adapted to absorb these new practices […]. This leads to an increase in the mobilization of port teams, particularly technical, security and customer relations services. This inadequacy of equipment also carries the risk of deterioration of water quality in the basins, due to potential discharges linked to hotel activity. »
Finally, renting for short stays would pose “a double legal risk”. “The almost systematic refusal of insurance companies to agree to cover the exercise of an economic activity of accommodation afloat does not meet the obligation of boaters or professionals enshrined in the police regulations and regulations of port operation. At the same time, the port authority bears the responsibility for authorizing significant use of the pontoons, without specific development, by a non-marinating population unaware of good practices and risks. »
The authority specifies, however, that “this ban will be implemented on 1is June 2025 in order to allow stakeholders to anticipate this transition.
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