"does anyone know if there is a legal reason why an agency cannot remove an unsatisfactory property from their website?"

That's a good question. It's hard to believe that an agency could be legally required to list an apartment that they believe is being misrepresented.

Assuming then that they could pull the ad, the next question to ask, as you rightly do, is why continue listing this apartment. Possible explanations:

1) The agency doesn't care if their clients are rip-offed and unhappy. They are not at all concerned with their reputation and just want to make money anyway they can.

2) As above, the agency has no regard for their client's satisfaction, but feels that the impact to their reputation from a posting in fodors is negligible - so they don't care that Lizzie has posted here.

3) Again as above, but perhaps they think by pulling the ad they are admitting to being a lousy agency.

4) They have contacted the owner and the apartment is now spotless and all plumbing and electrical issues have been sorted out. The agency has sent their people to verify and will keep a sharp eye on it in the future.

5) They believe Lizzie's complaint to be false, unfounded, fraudulent. To pull the ad would be completely unfair to the owner.

Now, of course, without hearing the agency's side of the story, we'll never know.

-Kevin

If Lizzie's photos are a true representation of the condition of the apt. when she took possession, Lizzie's written complaints would be redundant. In fact, her photos (assuming their authenticity) make any rebuttal by the agency redundant.

Someone wrote, early on in this thread, that most Paris apt. rentals were illegal. I found that to be the most interesting and valuable information in the entire thread. I didn't know this.

Bowsprit, in my earlier post I pointed out that the majority of private apartment rentals (owner direct or via an "agency") in Paris are believed to be illegal.

In Paris, private landlords are not allowed to rent out properties for less than a one-year term UNLESS they are registered as commercial properties or unless they are rented to students (9 month-term allowed).

Most owners don't want to do this (register as commercial properties) because of the paperwork and hassles, and also because they'd then have to declare the rental income....!

Tourists should be aware of this when choosing an apartment, as there could be consequences in the event of fire, water damage etc. if the insurance is deemed invalid because of the illegal nature of the rental.

The City of Paris has apparently recently started to prosecute private landlords.

More here:
http://www.bonapartparisnews.com/200...-rental-o.html

and here:
http://2337.com/paris-apartment-rent...itial-summary/

and here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...evelopment.cfm

Interesting, Lutetia. Thanks for the insights.

Really interesting. I always worry that the owners of illegal rentals aren't following through with safety requirements and that the apt. isn't up to code.

So, let me ask you this: How do you determine if an apt. is legal? I've been looking at the gorgeous apartments on ParisPerfect.com and now I'm wondering what their status is.

Anyone know?

ParisPerfect is a great rental company. They are not an agency representing different owners. They ARE the owners. Our experience with them was wonderful and the pictures of their aparments do not do justice to the actual units. I couldn't believe how beautiful our apartment. We plan on renting from them again. The locations of their apartments is also a bonus.

<<So, let me ask you this: How do you determine if an apt. is legal? >>

I'm trying to find out and will post back with the answer when I have it.

Paris Perfect is a great rental company. When we rented from them in December, however, there was a problem with the apartment. They had to call the owner to have it resolved....I was surprised that they did not own the apartment. They were very responsive when they became aware of the problem and promptly contacted the owner.

Thanks to both!

Still waiting for a more precise answer. In the meantime, from what I have been able to glean off the City of Paris website, owners whose property is authorized for commercial purposes, such as short-term letting, must obtain some kind of authorization. Perhaps inquire and see what is produced as proof?


http://www.paris.fr/portail/Urbanism...sheet_id=12828

http://www.paris.fr/portail/Urbanism...rtlet_id=20988

Paris Perfect is a fully registered, tax-paying company in France. Most of the established companies are as well. Paris Perfect is careful about the apartments they offer: all apartments must be fully remodeled and up to strict French building codes..

They originally owned all of their apartments but some of their guests decided to buy apartments in Paris and have Paris Perfect remodel and manage them. So now they both own and manage for owners.

Most of you know that is where I always stay, both for the apartments and for the preferred location of most of them. No worries when staying with Paris Perfect...only enjoy all that they have to offer.

a bientot..

Joan

I can add this for the difference with some companies that have been mentioned:

They are in a different position because they will take on any apartment and the range of quality varies tremendously.. They do not have any employees in France. The people who do their greetings and cleanings are either the owners themselves or contract workers who are paid to clean or greet. No one oversees them…and they are not registered in France.

This is what people are running into and some of the risks involved.

Joan

Grace, I was not implying that Paris Perfect was not a wonderful company to rent from. We have stayed with them and I'm certain will do so again. I was just pointing out that a business' ownership of an apartment is not necessary to receive excellent service from that business.

Judy,

I didn't think you were implying anything. You have stayed in a Paris Perfect, so you know what you can expect.

My responses were mainly for those concerned about the legality of so many rentals out there. There are risks that most do not even think about.

Joan

To Bowsprit and others, here's the answer I received on the 2337.com site regarding how to verify whether a rental is legal or not:


"(...) the question you should ask is “Is the apartment correctly registered as a commercial property for short-term rentals” – what you should ask for is a copy of the insurance policy which must cover any occupant for civil liability – if the property is rated as commercial then this will be clear on the policy.

If there is no commercial policy, then an occupant is unlikely to be covered by any accident insurance – insurance companies love finding ways of not paying.

Basically, if an advertised rental does not tell you that it is correctly commercially registered and insured, then it probably isn’t, as having this is a very positive selling point."

Thanks for the research...it is good to know what to ask for in Paris.

We have only rented a house once in Europe...Italy this past May...it was in good condition and rented to us by the owner while we were staying in some of their rent property in Western Australia. The Australian property was great so was the property in Italy. But I am always nervous when I rent sight unseen!

Thank-you Luetetia. So many people try to rent apartments in New York City citing they've done so in Paris and not had a problem. Short term apt. rentals in NYC are largely scams or illegal so I wondered if renting in Paris had the similar pitfalls.

gracejoan: ParisPerfect apts. are exquisite! I wish I could find their equal at half the price! (I know they're probably worth every penny, I'd just like to offer fewer pennies.)

Thanks again all.