Dark Cloud over City of Light

I have started a blog at http://2337.com which is currently only about one subject – The Rental of Residential Apartments in Central Paris.

I did this as I believe that it is a very important subject which may be putting a lot of people at serious risk, both financially and for personal security.

It is against the law of France to rent an apartment designated as a residential property for a period of less than one year (nine months in the case of a student rental). Most apartments in Paris, the vast majority, are residential apartments as opposed to commercial property. The owner faces a fine of 25,000 euro plus 1,000 euro a day plus 5 years in jail if there is an infringement. The renter is not likely to be able to have insurance cover as the occupancy is illegal.

I have been aware of the problem for over a year and the law has been on the statutes for a long time, but the storm-clouds are gathering. Recently the penalties have been increased and a new bureau has been created an empowered to take action against property owners (not tenants) so I have been investigating this by interviewing the authorities concerned last week. I am also trying to find solutions for owners and renters that comply with the laws.