Property owner in France fined €33,000 for unauthorised Airbnb rental
Airbnb ruling is the first of its kind in Lille
The owner in this case had not obtained the required authorisation but continued to let the property on Airbnb
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A property owner in northern France has been fined €33,000 for letting a home on Airbnb without authorisation, in the first ruling of its kind in Lille.
The city, which is increasing checks on short-term tourist rentals, also recovered €2,000 in legal costs after the court found the owner had changed the use of the property without permission.
The case concerns a property that Lille says was “abusively” listed as a furnished tourist rental.
Since 2019 owners who wish to let a secondary home for short stays must obtain an autorisation de changement d’usage from their mairie.
This requires submitting a dossier and, since April 1, 2024, providing compensation by creating an equivalent new dwelling.
The city says the rule is designed to limit the pressure of tourist rentals on the already tight housing market.
The owner in this case had not obtained the required authorisation but continued to let the property on Airbnb.
The court imposed the fine with immediate effect, with the city describing the ruling as a significant step in enforcing its rental rules.
Different rules apply to owners letting their main home. These do not require a change of use, but they must be registered with the city and can be rented for no more than 120 nights per year.
Le Meur Law on holiday rentals
The penalties for non-compliance have risen since the Le Meur law on holiday rentals of November 20, 2024, which set the maximum fine at €100,000 per illegally let property, with fines paid directly to the commune.
Lille says it has stepped up enforcement as the number of tourist rentals grows.
In 2024, more than 2,500 homes in the city were listed at least once on short-term rental platforms.
Over the past year, the mairie verified nearly 600 addresses and carried out more than 200 on-site checks, visiting around 60 properties.
If an infraction is confirmed, the city sends the case to the courts on the basis of the official reports drawn up by its agents.
The city argues that short-term rentals reduce the supply of housing available to residents, and that regular inspections and legal action are necessary to protect long-term accommodation.
It says it will continue using all available legal means to control furnished tourist lets and ensure compliance with its rules.
Owners who obtain authorisation must also register their property on the city’s portal and fulfil the associated reporting obligations.
