Landmark Ruling Targets Professional Landlord
In a significant victory for Paris City Hall, a judicial court has imposed a record €585,000 fine on a property company for the illegal conversion of an entire building into tourist apartments. The ruling, delivered on April 15, 2026, and announced by the city on April 17, targets a building in the 9th arrondissement that was transformed into 11 furnished tourist rentals listed on platforms like Airbnb.
From Social Housing to Illegal Rentals
The building, acquired in late 2022, was formerly a social residence for people in precarious situations. By the end of 2023, it had been entirely converted for tourist use without obtaining the required “change of use authorization.” This primary violation resulted in a fine of €445,000. Additional penalties were levied for infractions such as missing registration numbers on listings and failure to provide documents to inspectors, bringing the total sanction to €585,000.
Daily Penalties and Immediate Shutdown Ordered
The court mandated the immediate cessation of all rental activity. It also imposed a substantial daily penalty of €1,000 per apartment, totaling €11,000 per day for all 11 units if operations continue. Deputy Mayor for Housing Jacques Baudrier hailed the decision as a “major victory,” noting it sets a precedent against professional landlords operating at scale. He stated that fines for such violations have surged from €1.3 million two years ago to over €1 million already this year, attributing the increase to the enforcement of the 2024 Echaniz-Le Meur law.
Part of a Broader Crackdown on Housing Fraud
This ruling coincides with a heightened municipal effort to address the housing crisis. Paris estimates approximately 25,000 illegal tourist rentals are operating in a market described as under “severe strain.” Just days before the fine was announced, the city council approved the creation of a “housing protection brigade” of about 150 officers specifically tasked with combating illegal tourist rentals. Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire signaled a firm stance, posting “Airbnb, it’s over” on social media in reaction to the court’s decision.
