Airbnb in Paris: €200,000 claimed, €5,000 imposed. What this judgment really means for landlords

A lawyer specialising in real estate law recently shared on social media the outcome of a case she had just pleaded before the Paris Judicial Court. The City of Paris was pursuing a couple of landlords for renting out their studio as a furnished tourist accommodation without authorisation for a change of use. The City sought a civil fine of €100,000 against each, totalling €200,000. The court eventually imposed €2,500 per owner, totalling €5,000—a 97.5% reduction.

This exceptional result is due to several factors taken into account by the judge: a property management agency (conciergerie) handled everything, drafted the leases, had them signed, and set the rents. The owners cooperated from the City's first letter, terminated the mandate, and returned the property to conventional letting. The management agency, for its part, was fined €10,000.

A historically low judgment, but not an invitation to take risks

This judgment is remarkable. According to the lawyer, it is the first time since the entry into force of the 'Loi Le Meur' (November 2024) that such a low penalty has been handed down. The legal framework itself has not changed: the civil fine can reach €100,000 per property irregularly converted. And other decisions delivered in 2026 demonstrate a far greater level of severity.

In July 2026, the Paris Judicial Court sentenced an owner and her management agency to €220,000 each, totalling €440,000, for renting out four apartments in the 7th and 8th arrondissements without authorisation. The City estimated that the owner had received more than €410,000 in rental income between 2022 and 2024—meaning the fines exceeded the earnings.

What a Parisian landlord actually risks in 2026

Renting out a furnished tourist accommodation in Paris without a change of use authorisation exposes owners to several cumulative sanctions:

• Civil fine of up to €100,000 per dwelling (Loi Le Meur, art. L. 651-2 CCH)
• Obligation to revert the property to residential use with a penalty payment (astreinte) of up to €1,000 per day and per m²
• Administrative fine of up to €10,000 for failure to declare to the town hall (€20,000 in case of a false declaration)
• Restitution of sub-letting income if the property is sub-let by a tenant without the landlord's written consent. A recent decision ordered the restitution of €51,389
• Termination of the lease if the tenant sub-lets without authorisation

Furthermore, if the co-ownership agreement contains an 'habitation bourgeoise' clause (restricting the property to residential use), the co-owners' association (syndicat) may also take legal action to stop the activity.

The management agency does not protect you

The €440,000 case is a strong signal: management agencies can now be held jointly liable. However, the owner remains exposed in their own right. Delegating management to a third party does not transfer the criminal or civil liability linked to the status of the dwelling. A specialist in short-term rentals cannot claim ignorance of the rules, and neither can you.

What are the secure alternatives for renting out your property in Paris?

Seasonal rental is not the only way to optimise the profitability of a property. Two alternatives deserve your attention:

The 'bail société' (corporate lease) is aimed at legal entities, companies, or holdings that wish to house their employees or executives. It falls outside the protective framework of the 'Loi du 6 juillet 1989' (Law of July 6, 1989), offers greater contractual freedom, and allows for rents slightly higher than the conventional residential market, without the regulatory constraints of furnished tourist accommodation.

→ Read our complete guide to the corporate lease in Paris

Long-term furnished rental (Loi 1989) remains a reliable solution: stable income, identified tenants, controlled taxation under the LMNP (Loueur en Meublé Non Professionnel - Non-professional furnished rental) status, and no risk of urban planning sanctions.

In both cases, you remain the owner of an asset that generates income without exposing you to legal proceedings.

Our recommendation

If you are a landlord in Paris and are wondering how to optimise your property without risking a six-figure fine, contact us. PNW Partners will assist you in choosing the rental structure suited to your situation—corporate lease, long-term furnished rental, or managed rental services.

→ Get in touch with PNW Partners