According to Jonathan Bellaïche, lawyer for the plaintiffs, the summons was served on Airbnb Ireland, the group’s European headquarters, on June 20. A hearing is scheduled for September 6 at the Lisieux commercial court.
Airbnb accused of repeated breaches
Hoteliers criticize Airbnb for several failings, notably the absence of collection and declaration of tourist tax. They also highlight the non-compliance with the obligation to mention the registration number on advertisements in certain municipalities. A bailiff noted this offense in Kaysersberg and Cannes.
According to the hoteliers’ representative, Airbnb, recognized as a content publisher by a decision of the Paris Court of Appeal in January 2023, is required to monitor the legality of advertisements published on its platform. « We know that many people rent their apartment without authorization, by subletting or by not respecting the regulations on change of use “, he explains.
Airbnb, for its part, asserts comply with all its obligations. The platform highlights its positive economic impact, declaring that it has enabled many families to earn around 3,800 euros on average and municipalities to collect 187 million euros in tourist tax in 2023. Airbnb also threatens to take legal action if this new action harms its activity or that of its hosts in France.
Eric Abihssira, confederal vice-president of Umih and hotelier in Nice, and Véronique Siegel, president of Umih hôtellerie, insist on the broader consequences of Airbnb’s failure to comply with the laws. « We are investing for the future by training our young people, creating jobs and paying our taxes. The platforms do not play the game, to the detriment of customers! » declares Eric Abihssira.
A broader fight for the hotel industry
Véronique Siegel underlines that the deregulation of the rental market amplifies the housing crisis. “ Hotel and catering professionals are on the front line: we can no longer accommodate our employees, especially seasonal workers! » she adds.
Umih recalls that this is not the first time that it has taken legal action against Airbnb. Since 2018, the union has taken steps to denounce the practices of the platform. Jonathan Bellaïche claims that numerous court decisions have revealed that Airbnb knowingly left illegal ads on its site, thus distorting competition.
This new legal offensive takes place in a context of growing tension between traditional hoteliers and tourist rental platforms. Professionals hope that this collective action will mark a turning point and force Airbnb to comply with French regulations. The appointment is made for September 6 at the Lisieux commercial court, where the plaintiffs hope to obtain compensation for the damage suffered and put an end to what they consider to be unfair competition.
