On January 15, 2026, the Protecteur du citoyen sent a letter to the Minister of Tourism in which it commented on the draft Regulation to amend the Tourist Accommodation Regulation.
This draft regulation stipulates that individuals who want to rent out their home as a tourist accommodation will have to provide two separate documents to prove that it is their principal residence. This new requirement would apply whether these individuals are renting the accommodation or own it. Proof would also be requested when renewing their registration.
The Protecteur du citoyen welcomes this development, which should reduce the number of establishments falsely declared as principal residences. Based on the complaints it receives, this type of fraud is still prevalent today.
However, the Protecteur du citoyen is concerned that no exceptions are provided for regarding the type of proof that will be accepted. If certain individuals are unable to provide two acceptable documents, no other relevant proof will be considered. This could be detrimental to good-faith operators in particular circumstances. The Protecteur du citoyen makes a recommendation to address this problem.
It adds that, in its view, requesting these documents should not be the only method used to verify principal residence status. To identify the most sophisticated fraudsters, verification tools must be improved. Sharing information between departments and agencies, where permitted and deemed necessary, is particularly important.
Learn more about this Protecteur du citoyen intervention:
Also read: Reaction to the draft Tourist Accommodation Regulation
