French Mayor: Make Airbnb Hosts Buy Another Property
The mayor of Marseille has had enough of Airbnb rentals in France's second largest city.
Benoît Payan said it's becoming more difficult for local people to find a place to live, and he has a plan.
He said he wants to make Airbnb landlords buy another property in the city and make the second place available for long-term rental.
Speaking to the radio station Franceinfo, Payan claimed that up to 75% of the people buying properties and renting them on Airbnb are not from the city.
He added that neighborhoods were being "emptied," as the number of properties used as holiday rentals increases.
The port city is a popular place to visit: the weather is good and the beautiful Calanques National Park is nearby.
But just as in so many other cities across Europe, Marseille's residents are finding themselves priced out of the housing market.
Payan said he'll use the law in any way he can to help the city's residents.
The city already has a number of rules. Since 2022, owners of short-term rental properties have had to register with the city council. They can only rent out their own home for up to 120 days a year, and they must get approval from the city council if they want to rent out a second home.
Some owners must also buy a commercial property in the same area and turn it into long-term housing — but only if they rent out two or more properties.
And these rules are not always followed.
In 2023, there were more than 16 million overnight stays recorded in Marseille, according to the local tourist office.
And according to the city council, there are more than 12,000 short-term rental properties in the city that are available on sites like Airbnb.
