La Rochelle says goodbye to key boxes: a strong sign against Airbnb

IN BRIEF

La Rochelle prohibits the hanging of key boxes in public spaces.
This measure is part of a broader framework on the regulation of furnished tourist rentals.
The removal of these boxes reflects the growing tensions between municipalities and platforms like Airbnb.
The decision aims to preserve public space and combat overtourism.
Similar actions have been implemented in other French cities.
The city council of La Rochelle has strengthened its regulatory powers in connection with a new law recently passed.

La Rochelle makes the bold choice to eliminate key boxes, a revealing measure of the growing tensions between municipalities and Airbnb #

La Rochelle, an iconic city on the Atlantic coast, takes a stand against the rise of seasonal rentals through platforms like Airbnb by banning the hanging of key boxes in public spaces. This decision, far from trivial, reflects the increasing challenges faced by municipalities wishing to regulate an ever more complex and competitive real estate market. By examining this Rochelais strategy, palpable tensions between the economic interests of rental platforms and the legitimate aspirations of cities become evident.

A significant municipal decision #

The city of La Rochelle, during the end-of-year festivities, has begun the gradual elimination of key boxes, devices used by many property owners to facilitate access to their furnished accommodations. The city hall, through its environmental police, is firm in its intention to reclaim public space. The decision was formalized through a decree, carefully condemning this practice deemed illegal and intrusive.

This measure fits within a broader framework of regulating short-term rentals. Last November, a bill was passed in Parliament, strengthening the powers of municipalities to oversee these activities. La Rochelle is not the first city to take this path. Metropolises such as Marseille, Nice, and Annecy have also taken similar measures, illustrating a growing national trend to confront the rise of tourism that is sometimes considered destabilizing for residents.

The implications for tourists and owners #

The removal of key boxes represents a blow to tourists, who often rely on these systems to access their accommodations without the complexities of physical meetings with owners. These now-obsolete devices symbolize a rental mode that is gaining ground and yet faces increasingly strict regulations.

Property owners, for their part, do not necessarily view this reinforcement of rules unfavorably. Many of them recognize that the use of public space must be limited to recognized and regulated activities. Jean-Louis Racaud, president of the union of property owners, recalls that the installation of such boxes in public places is illegal, thus highlighting the importance of a clear legislative framework to regulate this practice.

An evolving legislative framework #

Since the adoption of the new law by the National Assembly and the Senate, municipalities like La Rochelle now have the option to introduce restrictive quotas for furnished rentals, a step towards more marked control. Designated “sensitive” areas can thus be preserved from the real estate speculation engendered by mass tourism. The measures observed in La Rochelle reflect a clear political will to maintain a balance between economic development and the well-being of residents.

However, some actors, such as Jean-Louis Racaud, highlight the ambiguity of this regulation, believing that in other countries, similar legislations have not had the expected effects. In La Rochelle, the inaction of the judiciary regarding the suspension of certain regulations suggests uncertainties and frustrations within municipal bodies, particularly concerning the restriction of housing less than 35 m² available for seasonal rentals.

The fight for sustainable tourism #

Finally, the regulation of short-term rentals raises an essential question: how to reconcile a city’s tourist appeal with the quality of life of its residents? La Rochelle faces a complex dilemma here. Economic considerations related to tourism must indeed operate without compromising the daily lives of residents. As Marie Nédellec, deputy mayor, stated, regulation must not be at the expense of housing intended for the local population.

This regulatory movement in La Rochelle illustrates the growing awareness of municipalities regarding the challenges of the collaborative economy. By implementing measures such as the removal of key boxes, the city resolutely positions itself in favor of sustainable and balanced tourism, concerned with preserving the identity and well-being of its residents while welcoming visitors in a respectful framework.