EU top court: France can’t apply real estate rules on Airbnb

Airbnb scored a big win in its long-standing fight with French hoteliers as European Union’s highest court rejected Thursday an argument that Airbnb should be subject to strict rules that govern French estate nts. case was submitted by a French court after a major association of hotels, including leing chains like Best Western, filed a complaint arguing that Ireland-registered company should be submitted to same obligations as tritional real estate providers. hotel industry in France, like those in many countries across world, accuses online rental platform of unfair competition.

Hotel owners wanted Airbnb to follow real estate nt accounting, insurance and or financial rules. Airbnb denied acting as a real estate nt.

“We welcome this judgment and want to move forward and continue working with cities on clear rules that put local families and communities at heart of sustainable 21st-century travel,” Airbnb said in a statement. “We want to be good partners to everyone and alrey we have worked with more than 500 governments to help hosts share ir homes, follow rules and pay tax.”

In its ruling, Court of Justice said that under a European directive on electronic commerce Airbnb should be classified as an “information society service” connecting potential guests with hosts. court said that “France cant require Airbnb to hold an estate nt’s professional licence.”

Paris city officials have been at odds with platform in recent years, holding it responsible for rise of rents in French capital. Earlier this year, city took legal action against Airbnb and wanted to find company 12.5 million euros ($14 million) for allowing owners to rent ir properties without having m properly registered.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has planned to hold a referendum that could reduce platform’s presence in some of most touristic districts of city if she wins re-election next year.

In 2012, Airbnb h 4,000 Paris-area listings. That surged to more than 40,000 by 2015, when Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky was welcomed at city hall. Last year, Paris city hall said re were about 60,000 Airbnb listings in Paris.