Paris Olympics: Can a landlord evict a tenant to rent to tourists?
As Paris prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, some landlords in the Paris region see this as an opportunity to profit by evicting their tenants so they can rent out their properties on platforms like Airbnb. However, they must comply with the law and follow a strict procedure.
According to *Le Parisien*, the average price for a night’s stay in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games stood at 886 euros as of February 18. This is a windfall for landlords who want to evict their tenants before the start of the Games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11.
However, evicting a tenant is no easy task, whether the rental is unfurnished or furnished, as Capital points out. In the former case, the lease lasts at least 3 years, and in the latter, at least one year, with automatic renewal if the landlord does not take action. Regardless of the type of rental, the landlord must give the tenant sufficient advance notice of the termination, specifically at least six months before the end of the lease for an unfurnished property and three months for a furnished one.
The law allows only three grounds for evicting a tenant. The landlord may reclaim the property to live there himself or to house his or her partner. A plan to sell the property is also a valid ground; in this case, the tenant may exercise his or her right of first refusal and purchase the property on a priority basis. Finally, the landlord may terminate the lease for “legitimate and serious cause” in the event of serious misconduct by the tenant, such as significant rent arrears, failure to maintain insurance, disturbances affecting the neighborhood, or subletting without permission.
The landlord must send the notice of termination by certified mail, deliver it in person with a signature required, or have it delivered by a judicial officer. Sophie Morvan, a legal advisor for the Paris Departmental Housing Information Agency (ADIL), explains that “the letter sent to the tenant must specify the exact reason for the notice of termination. Otherwise, the notice is considered invalid.”
If the notice to vacate is submitted on time and is justified, the tenant has no choice but to vacate the dwelling on the lease expiration date. In the event of a dispute with the landlord—particularly regarding the reason for the notice to vacate—the tenant may contact ADIL at 01 42 79 50 40.
In conclusion, landlords in the Île-de-France region who wish to take advantage of the 2024 Olympic Games to evict their tenants and rent out their properties on platforms such as Airbnb must comply with the law and follow a strict procedure. They must provide legal grounds and meet the deadlines for filing their notice to terminate the lease. Tenants, for their part, may contest the notice to vacate if they believe it is unreasonable or unfounded.
