iris1745

Agree pariswat, you are right; But none of these naysayers NEVER tell the whole story.

Would you agree?

crefloors

That's what I said pariswat, I believe....she has been selling her properties. I think she still has some and I know she has one or two in Nice because they don't check as much there.

I think there is a point to the new regs but then wonder if having more properties for sale will bring the price down any? Also, how many "normal" people will be able to afford them..kind of like Manhattan. So many places out of reach for the "regular working person".


The regs also quash a lot of business, fee, and taxes, so time will tell if there are unintended consequences or not.

pariswat

'The regs also quash a lot of business, fee, and taxes, so time will tell if there are unintended consequences or not.'

Yup. My wife thinks like you, I think so many tax evasion happens that regs will be positive for the authorities.

As you say, future will tell. Et encore, not so sure we'll get all info!

crefloors

I also had a thought, I wonder if the hotels will raise prices if they don't have to compete with short term apartment rentals. I guess time will tell.

kawh

we use airbnb when we travel in foreign countries. they do not get a penny until you check out from your rental, and all money goes through airbnb. if in doubt, go this way. (i find that many list their places on both sites.)

pariswat

'Agree pariswat, you are right; But none of these naysayers NEVER tell the whole story.

Would you agree?'

I do. All the more since nobody knows the full story... how could we ?

Thanks for your post, btw.

iris1745

pariswat; Having used Airbnb, I have read that they are 'attempting' to work with Paris officials.

I have read they are now paying city taxes.

Do I know if this is factual--no.

Just like all these other comments that never tell the whole story.

Anything can be said on sites like Fodor's without confirmation.

Do I believe that they are factual--no.

Airbnb has problems in San Francisco, New York, Boston and Paris. Perhaps others.

Being a 24 billion company, I do believe they are trying to solve issues in these cities.

Do I know what I have said is factual--no.

Just from what I have read.

crefloors

So, iris, are you saying that a 24 billion dollar company is cheating on it's taxes? Wouldn't surprise me but if true, it's just kind of a "wow moment" for me.

StuDudley

The "laws" passed by "city officials" in San Francisco to "accommodate" Airbnb (and all illegal short-term rentals) are a "joke" and totally unenforceable. Even the city officials and the city departments tasked with enforcing the laws agree that they are unenforceable. Airbnb is a San Francisco company, and makes donations to re-election campaigns. Follow the money.

Renters in rent-controlled apartments are "sub-renting" their apts for 10 times what they are paying in rent. Landlords are evicting renters so they can turn their entire apartment complex into much more lucrative short term vacation rentals. Lots of "grey stuff" in between these two extremes also.

Residents are submitting two different ballot initiatives for the next election to try to put "teeth" in the new laws, and make them more fair to all involved.

Stu Dudley

iris1745

crefloors; What I am saying is that they are attempting to work thru their problems.

Remember, they entered most of these cities before regulations were in place.

It didn't seem illegal then--correct me if I am wrong.

So now cities are regulating them and their apartments become illegal. Interesting.

Bottom line, I think they now have no other choice but to work things out with all these cities, including Paris.

Cheating, ask them!!

Hey Stu--New England Basketball Hall of Fame--yes!!

StuDudley

You made the Hall of Fame????

Stu Dudley

iris1745

Yes!! incredible and still playing BB at 80.

StuDudley

Congratulations!!!

Stu Dudley

iris1745

Thanks Stu; I will post next week when all the names are published and explain how this all evolved.

Never would just a good ballplayer thru the years expected this honor.

Borntotravel55

It would be nice if people coming back from Paris after recent visits would post about their experiences with apt rentals. I've sent several emails to the rental people and they're answering me back, all seems well so far. My first concern was that my deposit money might fall into the wrong hands and I would never hear from anyone again. Now, during my stay we will see if all goes well. I will post a list of all my rentals with detailed comments and problems when I return.

iris1745

Hey Born; We just returned from Paris having rented a 3 bedroom apartment in the Maris for 4 nights.

The people meeting us were wonderful and we had no problems. In our 4 story building, 3 or 4 apartments on each floor, there were no issues with the residents.

But only saw one resident and it was a friendly encounter, although brief.

Agency we used was www.specialapartments.com

manouche

There was an article in Le Figaro a couple of weeks ago - about the "Uber-ization" of the world in general.
What the owners and users of the companies that were mentioned - UberX, UberPop, AirBnB, LeBonCoin, EBay etc - had to say was this:

We provide alternatives to people who can't afford to pay regular prices for goods and services.
Even though what we are doing is not legal - and everybody knows it - that doesn't matter, because we help people get what they want at a price they have decided they can afford.
We don't care about the fact that we do not contribute to the infrastructure of a city or the national economy, nor do we care about paying taxes which would pay for the usual social services for our employees (if any).
We have no intention of changing the way we do business, because we are making a fortune, and everybody else is happy too.

Quite a statement.

Here's another way of looking at it:
I'm a pickpocket. It's my profession, and I'm very good at it.
I know it's illegal, and I don't care.
I have no intention of paying taxes, supporting the infrastructure, or contributing to the welfare of the minor children who work for me.
Frankly, I pick pockets because I have no other profession, can't find any other job, and cannot feed or house my family.
Therefore, I have every right to pick pockets, and nobody should have the right to arrest me.
I'm just trying to take care of my own.

Rationalization, much?

crefloors

I know so many companies are tax cheats and it's disgusting. I didn't say that as an absolute because, as iris said, I have no proof and links.

These kinds of companies are capitalism at it's worst and just make an excellent case for more regulation. I am not a fan of using up resources, human or otherwise, and giving nothing back in return.

I'm planning to go to Paris again next year, and I am going to see about an apartment. I have a couple of hotels that I really like and could return to, but I liked the idea of having a little kitchen and the price is often better than a hotel. I don't stay at "the ritz" but I like a nice hotel, especially at my age. Sharing bathrooms is not my thing.

iris1745

[Quite a statement] Anything can be printed, but is it factual.

http://www.france24.com/en/20150226-...chesky-france/

So, does Airbnb follow through and comply?

The problem is these same few posters say the same things over and over when Paris apartment rentals appear.

To scare and attempt to make people feel guilty

I used an abbreviated F word earlier and I apologize. The first and only time since 2007 when I joined Fodor's and it won't happen again.

But these tactics without foundation are reprehensible.

I have other articles where Airbnb is cooperating with the Paris city officials.

Do I know if this is in fact happening, collecting taxes? No, but what I do know is that more meetings are scheduled with Paris city officials.

An opinion is

1. They have no choice, and

2. With perhaps 40,000 Paris apartments, would it make any sense not to collect and pay the tax?

3. Too much money involved. They will collect the tax as they are now doing in a number of American cities

pariswat

Hi Iris

Once they collect taxes, it will be easy for fiscus to get listings of rentals.
And collect income tax.

I think that's what it is all about, not some euros of taxes per night.

Well at least I hope that's what the authorities are after... this would indeed get big money !

Say 40 000 appts, rented at 75% - average what ? 100$ a night ?

so 250 nights/year/appt * 100 $/night * 40 000 appts * 30% taxes average rate ?

300 Millions euros a year of taxes ? not bad eh ? Mostly paid by non residents... harmless in terms of votes.

My perception... That's still less than what hotels would generate if people would go to hotels. But good to take.