Saint-Malo: the city fights against short-term rentals

Every summer, tourists storm Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine). The population is then multiplied by four. And in recent years, many holidaymakers have preferred seasonal rentals, such as Airbnbs, rather than staying in hotels. Facing the sea, key boxes have invaded the walls of the city, a symbol of short-term rentals.

To address residents’ concerns, the town hall has imposed restrictions. For the past year, if an owner wants to switch to short-term rental, he must request a change of use, a kind of permit, from the town hall. Quotas have been established by district. Since then, the number of apartments for sale has increased. nearly 3,000 rentals are currently registered. 371 were refused. Sylvia Mitteaux-Martin had to stop renting four of its units. Disgruntled, eShe and other owners are taking the town hall to court because they believe the restrictions are illegal.