Marseille Mayor Proposes Measures to Regulate Airbnb Rentals

In response to the growing impact of short-term rentals on local housing, Marseille’s Mayor, Benoît Payan, has introduced a comprehensive plan to regulate Airbnb properties. The proposal mandates that landlords who rent out properties on short-term platforms like Airbnb must acquire additional properties and convert them into long-term rentals. This strategy aims to alleviate housing shortages and ensure that residents have access to affordable accommodations. The city council reports that over 12,000 properties are currently listed on short-term rental platforms, a 45% increase from the previous year. Additionally, up to 75% of these properties are owned by non-residents. Mayor Payan emphasized the need to protect local residents from being priced out by the influx of short-term rentals. The city has also implemented measures such as removing key safes from public spaces to deter unauthorized rentals.