What is the best agency to rent an apt in Paris for 1-2 weeks? Reliable listings etc.

None unless they provide the apartment's registration number (most short term rentals in Paris are illegal).

IF the flat does have a registration number you can be fairly confident it is legal -- but there aren't many % wise that are registered yet.

Your best option is Paris Perfect. We’ve been using then for several years.

Paris Perfect doesn't provide reg. numbers . . .

If you do not see the 13-digit registration number on any website you consult, it is an illegal apartment.
That's really all you need to know.

ParisPerfect is a time-sharing outfit, used by wealthy members.

vacationinparis, they have an NJ number, call them and talk to them about all of this.

Paris Perfect bar none! Like Robert2016, we have been using them for years. I have no doubt about their veracity.

Interesting idea Macross. What possible motive would a business in New Jersey have to warn anyone about illegal apartments in Paris? Particularly as their own inventory is probably 100% illegal.

As anyone who has driven down a French highway and had a motorcycle pass them on the right at a speed far in excess of the limit can verify, the French are not particularly apt at passing laws and then enforcing them unless it can be done by a speed camera.

Another example would be the breathalyser sticks that were required to be carried by all motorist and which had a fine of 0.00€ if you were found not to be in compliance with the law.

I´ll stop before I mention the Crit´air badge requirement but I sense that the government is slowly moving towards tightening its grip on illegal apartments.

Within the last year the mayor has had her enforcement staff strengthened from 20 to 25 inspectors (still woefully inadequate) and had convinced legislators to increase the fine to those offering illegal apartments from 25000€ to 50000€. She also wants the 120 day maximum annual rental period reduced to 90 days and wants legislation to hold advertisers (aka Airbnb) accountable for listing illegal apartments on their websites.

It remains a serious possibility that additional crackdowns on illegal apartments are coming. Other European cities have done it and I believe there is sufficient will in Paris to follow suit.

Just don´t expect it to happen this week.

I believe that Paris Perfect does list the registration number.

I've recently spent time looking for an apt in Paris. I've looked at agencies and AirBnb. There are some apts that list the registration number, but not many so far. Paris Perfect has some apts that show a registeration #.

"I believe that Paris Perfect does list the registration number."

"Paris Perfect has some apts that show a registeration #."

The ones I checked did not have a registration number. Plus, Paris Perfect is still soliciting owners to list their apartments without a mention of registration numbers or the limits on the number of days.

I checked 7 PP listings at random and not one had the Reg #. That is not to say that some might . . .

Their website makes no mention at all of having procedures to ensure the listings are legal - you'd sort of think they would flaunt it IF they were obeying the laws.

If the website lists the 13-digit registration number and if the calendar is not filled in all the way - as in the prescription for the 90 day limit on vacation periods for the property owner - you might be safe.

If, on the other hand, the calendar is full up, I wouldn't rent it.

As Sarastro points out, enforcement is the issue. Have any of you ever heard of anyone being kicked out of an apartment they rented because it was illegal?

No, but I have heard of people having flats pulled out from under them a few days before arrival. That is the big concern I'd have, booking something months ahead and having the owner 'caught' in the meantime.

I personally would ONLY book a registered/legal property.

"If, on the other hand, the calendar is full up, I wouldn't rent it."

If the calendar works anything like Airbnb's, an owner can block days for any reason and someone looking at the calendar will have no way to know whether those days are booked or blocked for another purpose. If the apartment is registered and the dates are available, book it if it's what you want.

I used to say www.parisbestlodge.com but I don't know about them under the new rules.

Out of 23 1-bedroom apartments that came up on a search on the Paris Perfect website, 2 of the apartments have a registration number and the rest do not.

I found an apartment on AirBnB for a stay next fall that does have the registration number. I was in touch with the owners before it was registered and they contacted me as soon as they received the number.

Gradually, some (but not all) apartments on many rental sites are complying. What that means as far as enforcement has yet to unfold.

Regarding PBL - I just checked their web site. They have 7 apartments listed. They used to have dozens. We tried to book through them last year and couldn't even get in contact with them. The new rules are clearly affecting them. I hope they make a comeback because they were always great.

sarastro, they are an agency and we have always used them. You can call and at least talk to them as I did if you live in the states. Tell them your concerns, yada yada yada.