Tourism Industry: Island of Oléron Criticizes Leboncoin for Failing to Remit Tax Payments After Airbnb's Neglect
In a significant move, the local community of the island of Oleron in Charente-Maritime has secured court rulings against two major peer-to-peer rental platforms - Airbnb and Leboncoin - for failing to pay the mandatory tourist tax.
The fine against Airbnb, amounting to a staggering 8.6 million euros, has set a precedent, according to Jonathan Belaiche, a lawyer at the Goldwin firm. Leboncoin, another rental platform, has been convicted by the commune and fined 410,000 euros for not paying the tourist taxes due between 2020 and 2022, totaling 384 unpaid taxes.
The unpaid tourist taxes have had a significant impact on the financial resources of the community of communes. The tourist tax, representing about 10% of the annual revenues, is used to fund essential services such as tourist offices, soft mobility, cycling paths, and their maintenance.
The sanctions against Airbnb are unprecedented, and the fine against Leboncoin gives hope and strength to other local authorities facing similar cases, says Belaiche. Leboncoin, however, believes it acted in good faith.
Tourists frequently book accommodations on these platforms on the island of Oleron. Some locals find these bookings annoying, while the president of the Community of Communes of the island of Oleron, Michel Parent, believes that these platforms should respect the economic dynamics of the territory.
The fines and unpaid taxes have served as a reminder for these platforms to adhere to local regulations. Another trial against another rental platform is scheduled to take place at the end of September.
[1] Source: Local newspaper, Le Courrier de l'Oléron [2] Source: Legal documents from the Community of Communes of the island of Oleron [3] Source: Interview with Jonathan Belaiche, a lawyer at the Goldwin firm.
- The decision of the French court against Leboncoin presents possibilities for other communities that face similar issues with peer-to-peer rental platforms, aligning with Jonathan Belaiche's claims.
- While some locals on Oleron find the bookings arranged through technology platforms like Airbnb and Leboncoin annoying, the president of the Community of Communes maintains that these platforms must conform to the economic surroundings of the territory, reflecting the island's lifestyle and its reliance on the revenue from the tourist tax in technology-driven finance management.
