Guide for Hosts on the Airbnb Regulation in Marseille

Marseille, with its rich history, coastal beauty, and Mediterranean charm, has become a favorite destination for travelers from all around the world. As a host in Marseille, understanding the Airbnb regulations specific to your city is crucial to ensuring a seamless hosting experience. This guide offers insights into the key regulations and permissions to be aware of.

Airbnb Market in Marseille: A Comprehensive Overview

Marseille, the historic port city on France’s southern coast, is a magnet for tourists. Annually, the city sees a significant number of visitors, lured by its Mediterranean allure, timeless architecture, and pulsating culture. With the growing tourism industry, the Airbnb market in Marseille has expanded dramatically, boasting 11,772 active rentals. These properties have an average daily rate of $100 and an impressive occupancy rate of 68%, generating an average monthly revenue of $1,401 for hosts. A vast majority, 88%, of these listings are for entire homes. Furthermore, a substantial 80% of the properties have a minimum stay requirement ranging from 1 to 3 nights. Such statistics emphasize Marseille’s prominence as one of France’s top destinations for short-term rentals. Nonetheless, as the market burgeons, local authorities have been proactive in implementing regulations to ensure a harmonious balance between the city’s tourism boom and the housing needs of its residents.

Airbnb Regulations and Permissions

Before listing your property on Airbnb or any other platform, it’s essential to be certain that you’re allowed to host on your property. Restrictions can come from various sources, including contracts, local laws, and community rules.

Key Points to Remember

Always consult with municipal services or specialized lawyers for clarity.

Regularly check Airbnb Citizen for public policy updates affecting hosts.

Furnished Tourist Property (Meublé de Tourisme):

Marseille recognizes the “meublé de tourisme” classification for furnished tourist property rentals. This is a furnished residential space for short-term guests, exclusive to non-permanent tenants.

Types of Properties Included:

Furnished houses and holiday homes
Villas
Apartments
Studios

Check out more here.

Accommodation Categories

Airbnb, in collaboration with the Union Nationale Pour la Location de Vacances (UNPLV), recognizes three accommodation categories in Marseille:

Primary Residences: The place you reside for at least 8 months per year. Rentals are capped at 120 days per year, unless exceptions apply.

Secondary Residences: Homes occupied less than 4 months a year. There’s no rental cap, but a declaration to the city is required.

Non-residential Spaces: This includes hotels, bed and breakfasts, commercial spaces, and more.

Registration and Declaration

In certain cities, including Marseille, hosts may need to register their property, especially if they’re renting an entire space. Registration is usually done via the city hall’s website, and a registration number is then provided, which must be displayed on your Airbnb listing.

Change of Use

For hosts in Marseille wanting to turn their secondary homes into tourist rentals, there might be a requirement to get a change of use permit from the local city hall. Additionally, obtaining a “Siret number” might also be necessary.

Night Limits

In Marseille, primary home listings are allowed a maximum of 120 nights per calendar year. Airbnb, in collaboration with the UNPLV and the French Government, enforces this cap. However, there are specific exemptions available, such as for health-related reasons or the “bail mobilité” scheme.

Important Partnerships

Airbnb has teamed up with LegalPlace to provide hosts with lease agreement templates. This ensures that hosts have legally compliant contracts ready when subletting or renting their property.

Professional Identification

If you’re a hospitality expert, you can identify yourself as a professional on Airbnb. This is essential as European rules necessitate professionals to provide information about their businesses to travelers for transparency.

Other Considerations

Co-ownership: Ensure that co-ownership regulations don’t prohibit short-term rentals in your building.

Subletting: Always get written approval from your landlord if you intend to sublet.

Subsidized Housing: Generally, subletting in subsidized housing communities is prohibited.

Rent Control: Some areas in Marseille might have rent control rules. Check with your local City Hall for more information.

Housemates: If you have housemates, consider agreeing to outline hosting expectations.

EU Consumer Protection Law

When hosting on Airbnb, it’s considered a service. Therefore, hosts are required to provide customers with specific information, ensuring they comply with EU consumer protection laws.

In Conclusion

Being a host in Marseille is an opportunity to showcase the beauty and culture of this iconic French city. To ensure a smooth experience, understanding and adhering to local regulations is vital. Remember, when in doubt, seeking legal advice is always a good step forward.