Paris Official Seeks Airbnb Ban

Last year, during a visit to Paris, I rented an Airbnb with a view of the Eiffel Tower for a reasonable rate of approximately $150 per night. It was a seamless experience that I would likely do again during another visit. However, it may not be possible.

A city council member in charge of housing has proposed a ban that would prohibit home rentals via Airbnb as well as other home and vacation rental websites.

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"One residence out of every four no longer houses Parisians," council member Ian Brossat told the Agence France Presse.

Brossat would also call for a ban on owning a second home in the city.

Like in other cities, the popularity of Airbnb apartments in Paris is driving up the cost of rent for locals living in the city and creating a scarcity of housing for permanent residents.

There are approximately 60,000 apartments for rent on Airbnb. It’s one of the sites largest markets.

"Do we want Paris to be a city which the middle classes can afford, or do we want it to be a playground for Saudi or American billionaires?" Brossat is quoted as saying.

Brossat’s plan is to eliminate short-term tourist rentals in the First, Second, Third and Fourth arrondissements, and it is something he has been fighting for a while, publishing a book on the topic, "Airbnb, the Uberised City.”

Regardless of a potential ban, Paris has been ratcheting up restrictions and fines as it fights to regulate the use of Airbnb and other similar platforms.

Currently, homeowners using Airbnb must register with authorities and are limited to renting for 120 nights per year.