On November 7, 2024, the French National Assembly passed a landmark law aimed at regulating short-term tourist rentals, such as those listed on Airbnb, significantly reducing tax advantages and granting municipalities greater control.

The law, known as the Meur-Echaniz law, was initiated by Iñaki Echaniz, a 31-year-old Socialist deputy, who advocates for increased rights and responsibilities for property owners.

Additionally, the law empowers intercommunal authorities to take more active roles in housing management, decentralizing housing policy to better address local needs.

Under the new regulations, all rental properties will be required to register with an identification number, and landlords must provide proof of ownership and inform their co-ownership syndic about the rental.

The legislation received broad support from various political groups, reflecting a strong consensus on the need to address local housing issues, despite opposition from the National Rally party.

This new law comes in response to a national housing crisis that has escalated significantly, impacting household budgets and the availability of affordable housing.

Many mayors across France are eagerly anticipating the law's implementation, ready to enact strict local regulations to manage the influx of short-term rentals.

The law aims to tackle the housing crisis exacerbated by the surge in tourist rentals, which increased from 300,000 to 1.2 million in just eight years, thereby affecting the availability of permanent housing.

Airbnb expressed disappointment over the new restrictions, arguing that they will not effectively address housing access issues, as the platform operates in over 29,000 municipalities across France.

Collectives have organized protests in Paris, confronting Airbnb to raise awareness among lawmakers about the negative impacts of short-term rentals on local housing markets.

The legislation aims to regulate rather than prohibit short-term rentals, acknowledging their necessity in tourist areas while addressing their uncontrolled growth.

The law introduces stricter conditions for short-term rentals, including a reduction of the maximum rental days from 120 to 90 days per year, and mandates energy performance diagnostics for compliance.