Seized in summary proceedings, the administrative court of Poitiers suspended on Tuesday the new regulations of the Agglomeration of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) in terms of furnished tourist accommodation.
Adopted last October, this text intended to limit the explosion of short-term tourist rentals via platforms such as Airbnb or Abritel.
Among the disputed measures was the ban on renting properties of less than 35 m2 such as furnished tourist accommodation.
Objective: to increase the number of dwellings rented on a yearly basis.
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The Trade Union Chamber of Owners of La Rochelle – ex-UNPI – has since denounced “a disproportionate and coercive text”, sums up its president Jean-Louis Racaud.
The lawyer for this association, Me Victor Steinberg, is therefore delighted with this “victory which ensures respect for the fundamental rights of owners and renters of furnished tourist accommodation.
This text, manifestly disproportionate, was adopted without prior consultation and risked putting in great difficulty certain renters for whom this activity is their job or an essential additional income.
For its part, the Agglomeration of La Rochelle "takes note" of this decision.
"We remain mobilized to find solutions in the face of a phenomenon that is not tenable", specifies Marie Nédellec, the delegate community adviser in charge of this file.
The file not decided before 12 to 18 months
Two options are now available to this community: appeal against this summary or modify the current regulations to try to apply it from next spring as initially announced.
Nothing has yet been decided, assures the elected La Rochelle.
After suspending this regulation on Tuesday, the Poitiers administrative court should not decide the merits of the case for 12 to 18 months.
The Trade Union Chamber of Owners of La Rochelle says it is open to dialogue and regrets the lack of consultation.
"As it stands, the text is not acceptable but we can discuss," says Jean-Louis Racaud.
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“The current housing situation in La Rochelle requires regulation in order to find the right balance between tourist activity and the need for year-round housing.
Every day we receive people in tears because they cannot find accommodation,” insists Marie Nédellec.
Between 2016 and 2020, insists the La Rochelle Agglomeration, rentals of furnished tourist accommodation have jumped by 150%.
Only one request in five related to social housing is currently satisfied and requires 19 months of waiting.
