2023, France: The city of Nice Bans Key Lock Boxes to Regulate Short-term Rentals

The city of Nice is addressing the issue of lock boxes – these small fixtures that you've likely come across in the streets, often hanging directly on barriers and road signs. Lock boxes are used for vacation rentals, and to store apartment keys for tourists to retrieve. With the surge in Airbnb bookings, lock boxes took over almost every corner of the towns along the French Riviera.

In a decisive move to regulate short-term rentals, the City of Nice, under the leadership of Mayor Christian Estrosi, instituted a ban on key lock boxes within the city in October 2023. This decree is part of a continuous effort to preserve the quality of life for residents and address the challenges presented by short-term rentals, which often operate through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.

The Short-Term Rentals Challenge in Nice

Nice, the second city in France in terms of short-term rental listings, has grappled with an ongoing issue of providing long-term rental options due to the surge in short-term rentals. In response, the city implemented a restriction policy back in 2014, and the recent ban on lock boxes marks the next step in ensuring rental properties align with local regulations.

#Location | 🗣 Après Paris, #Nice06 est la 2e ville en nombre d’annonces de location saisonnière (+ de 12500!), uniquement sur #Airbnb.

Avec @cestrosi, nous voulons réguler et contrôler, car cela accentue les tensions sur le marché du logement et crée des difficultés. pic.twitter.com/H9ABZkV9UB

— Anthony Borré (@anthony_borre) January 20, 2022

Municipal Decree Targets Unauthorised Lock Boxes

A municipal decree has been issued to eradicate unauthorised lock boxes installed on street furniture and public roads, which have been operating without proper authorization.

Special Task Agents Take Action

Practical implementation of the decree involves special task agents employed by the city's administration. They will be responsible for identifying and locating unapproved lock boxes throughout Nice. Once a lock box is found, a dated sticker will be affixed to it, signifying the commencement of the municipal decree. Property owners or managers will then have a 15-day window to dismantle these lock boxes.

Reclaiming Lock Boxes with Proof of Ownership

Owners may subsequently reclaim these key boxes, provided they present proof of identity and proof of ownership.

Enforcing Legal Regulations

The city administration has emphasised that the installation of lock boxes on street furniture and public roads is illegal. The ban on lock boxes is designed to foster a more balanced and regulated housing environment in Nice, with a focus on ensuring that short-term rentals comply with local regulations.

KeyNest Points: A Modern Solution

As an alternative to lock boxes, many hosts and property managers are transitioning to KeyNest Points. KeyNest offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for remote key exchange, simplifying the check-in and check-out process for property owners and guests.

How KeyNest Works

Hosts drop off their house keys at a local KeyNest Point, which could be a convenience store, hotel, or cafe. These keys are tagged and securely stored by the Point's staff. Hosts can grant access to the key at any time to guests or contractors, providing them with a 6-digit collection code that must be presented to retrieve the key from the Point.