I suspect the "doubt" comes from this, and other travel sites.

The "big" websites (AirBnB, HomeAway...) are whining about legislative plans to require every listing to show the certificate number after approval by the city.

Guess what defense they are using? "Oh, we are just internet hosts. We are not at all responsible for content posted by our users."

>>require every listing to show the certificate number after approval by the city.<<

San Francisco is drafting legislation to do just that. Plus require AirB&B & others to provide info as to how many days the property was rented in the year. AirB&B fines are $1,000/day per listing for non-compliance.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/artic...er-7306756.php

AirB&B "hinted" that they would comply - but it is pouring lots of $$$$ into defeating the bill - like they did on the "current" law, that everyone (pro & con) agrees is UN-enforcaeable.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...nd-7384678.php

Stu Dudley

>>She was also featured as the "realtor" on the HGTV television series "Househunters International".<<

So has Adrian Leeds - MANY times - and most of her flats are illegal.

>>So has Adrian Leeds - MANY times - and most of her flats are illegal.<<

Yep

Stu Dudley

We stayed in a Paris Perfect apartment in St Germain (Nuits St George) last November. Mounted to the back of the bathroom door was a notice that stated if we were approached by anyone official on the street who was inquiring about where we were staying, we were asked to tell them that we are the owners of the apartment. Nothing was mentioned about this when we were being shown the apartment by the PP rep. When I read the notice I wasn't thrilled that we were being asked to lie on their behalf.

We arrived in Paris the morning before the terrorist attacks so we were never approached or, questioned by anyone. Everyone had more important things on their minds.

"Mounted to the back of the bathroom door was a notice that stated if we were approached by anyone official on the street who was inquiring about where we were staying, we were asked to tell them that we are the owners of the apartment."

Oh dear. Now we're getting poor unsuspecting tourists who really aren't looking for any trouble, to lie for the owner and rental agent.

I guess that answers the question as to whether Paris Perfect apartments are legal.

<<She has explained to us how she spent many years making her apartments "legal". >>

Well, what did she do, why omit the important details? I'd really like to know what she did to make her apartments legal, or what she even could do given they are solely for vacation renters.

I don't see what restoring a building has to do with the vacation apt. rentals. Making things legal in terms of restoration, housing codes, construction etc is a different topic than making some place legal to rent to vacationers.

Or is the implication, not stated, that she gets an exemption to rent to vacationers because she is restoring some old building, so the city gives allowances? That would be interesting to know.

Their website is still soliciting apts from other owners, though, and in the criteria for PP to want them, it doesn't list a single thing about being legally able to rent shortterm. Being listed in media articles by travel writers, etc. means nothing in terms of legitimacy on this issue. And their website does not mention anywhere this issue regarding Paris law and how they are legal, which they easily could if they wanted to make it clear to users that they are legal. Furthermore, that question is not even mentioned in their FAQs.

SO maybe they are legal, as least the ones they own, but they are not straightforward at all on their website as to that issue and they still solicit apts to rent for other owners. If I wnated to rent one of theirs, I'd ask them that question directly and not accept vague answers about how they are listed in media, etc. or that the agency is legal. I'd ask specifically about the issue of short-term rentals of apts that are not owner occupied.

I don't know why Airbnb would object to a reasonable law, that shows they don't care if the apts on their website are illegal. Many probably are legal. Good agencies shouldn't have an issue with that, such as they do in Barcelona and I've seen the registry number listed on apt rental agency websites. Paris Perfect could then do that, also, to make it clear.

Interesting!!!! I'll have to do some follow-up on that.

Stu Dudley

That note on the bathroom door really underlined, for me, the shabbiness of their operation. And the chutzpah involved in asking innocent people to do the lying.

Well this thread has certainly answered my question. Although I'd like to believe PP has only legal rentals, it would be akin to sticking your head in the sand and hoping for the best. I am a terrible liar. If questioned by someone of authority,they' d have no doubt of my fibbery. Besides that wouldn't set a very good example for my occasionally truth challenged teenagers.

I am currently looking at hotels and hoping to book soon.

We have stayed in two PP apartments. Last September and a couple Christmases ago. Never had any issues.
Our greeter was polite and they responded when we had issues.
Never saw a sign saying to pretend to be the owners. They did say not to use washer/dryer after 10:00pm

>>Never had any issues.
Our greeter was polite and they responded when we had issues.<<

And what has that got to do with the cost of tea in China??

Their interaction w/ <u>you</u> is totally irrelevant. We ain't talking about customer service here, we are talking about legality of the rental per French/Parisian laws and regulations. They could be the nicest/most responsive landlords on the face of the earth -- and still be totally illegal.

I would think that it would be pretty easy for the authorities to check the legitimacy of anyone occupant claiming to be the owner of a particular apartment.

I would never lie.

I really wanted to rent an apartment next year, but it's not worth the worry and the hassle so I think a hotel will be fine.

For sure that sign mentioned above would give me pause and make me feel uncomfortable and no way would I lie about being the owner...

Here's what I think, FWIW: The PP people, who are genuinely good people (have stayed in an apartment of theirs years ago and had some personal interactions with them), got hold of a bunch of money, bought up a bunch of properties before the short-term rental laws became a problem, ran a fine business with beautiful apartments and really good service, and now are having to back-pedal furiously to save their sous.

I actually feel bad for them, but the law is the law. If Adrian Leeds tanks over this issue, I have no problem, but the Paris Perfect people I'm afraid just innocently made a bad decision back in the day about how to allocate their funds and are going to pay the price. Asking renters to lie on their behalf about the provenance of a dwelling is just tawdry, though. I would think they'd be above that, but maybe when you're millions and millions of euros invested in something that is about to just self-destruct around you, you don't care so much...

Bottom line...as of now I would assume PP apartments are illegal.

Why would you be OK with the PP people and not with Adrian Leeds? Aren't they in the same business?

If you read the AL website, you will see that she recommends total dishonesty and cheating the government at all times.

Whereas PP pretends to be legal and cheats the government anyway? I'm not sure that being honest that you're dishonest isn't more admirable. At least her renters know where they stand.