How to regulate Airbnbs? A “anti-Airbnb” law is currently being examined by parliamentarians, it will provide tools to mayors and balance the rules between long-term rentals and furnished tourist accommodation. This text provides in particular, to give mayors the possibility to lower the rental threshold from 120 to 90 days per year for main residences or to require the lessor to provide proof of ownership. The Vaucluse department is particularly affected by these tourist rentals. To give you an example47% of tourists who visit Grand Avignon choose Airbnb during their stay, according to a survey conducted by the Vaucluse Provence Attrabilité agency.
“There are a lot of vacant homes in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue”
In Vaucluse, the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is one of the “tense areas”, 10% of its accommodation is tourist rentals. And this situation directly impacts residents and traders like Joëlle, she runs a clothing store in the pedestrian streets. “We can no longer find accommodation in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue now. This is a big problem, I know someone who has been looking for accommodation for a year.“Philippe is a trader a few meters away, these tourist rentals also have an impact on his activity.”We only live with tourists because the residents have deserted the city center. We are in a seaside resort, minus the sea.”
“I am not anti-Airbnb, I am for regulation”
Sylvia owns 3 accommodations that she rents via Airbnb in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, even if the law passes, she will no longer do traditional year-round rentals. “This is out of the question, because as owners, we also need guarantees. Currently this is not the case. So as long as the law is made only against owners, things will never move forward.“
For its part, to fight against these tourist rentals, the municipality of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue increases the housing tax by 40% for owners of second homes. “I am not anti-Airbnb, but I am for regulation“, explains the mayor, Pierre Gonzalvez. “What I want is for my population to be established in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a population who lives there all year round, who works there. And that we do not have a substitution of a tourist population for an indigenous population.”
The bill passed the joint committee stage. The next vote for final adoption is scheduled for November 5 in the Senate and November 7 in the National Assembly.