French Government's Anti-Terrorist Policy for Private Rentals

I just booked my first airbnb for an apartment in Chicago. I was required, by airbnb, to provide a scanned image of an official photo ID (drivers license, passport, or other) PLUS a selfie taken immediately at the time of booking. I'd say you got off easy. I am really surprised you did not have to provide your passport number.

All that personal information is easily found on public web sites so don't worry about. I would not give SS number but the passport number is of little importance.

Basically the Italians have been doing that for decades when they recorded/copied your passport.

In Paris, property owners are now required to apply for an online registration number, which is tied to their tax information, to prevent money laundering and tax evasion.

This will begin in October and all listings must display the registration number by Décembre, or will be blocked from using any listing website.
This applies to cities with populations of 200,000.

Perhaps the owner is being careful - but you should always read and understand a lease before signing it. Thé owner has the right to ask for personal information - but not your passport number. He might need to contact you regarding any damage, for example, so not that unusual.

It is illegal to discriminate against clients based on race, last name or profession.

AirBnB and other vacation platforms have been sued for this.

If you're uncomfortable with the situation, I'd book a hotel, instead.

I wouldn' t rent out my place to anyone who wouldn't give me that information.. would you ?

It wouldn't surprise me. I know hotels always have to file their occupant list with the police. I haven't been asked for that much information yet by my Airbnb hosts. I did have one place, this spring, that wanted to verify my ID by sending them a front and back photo of my driver's license.

I wouldn' t rent out my place to anyone who wouldn't give me that information.. would you ?

Yes, unless they're required to by law. Why would I want to know someone's date of birth or profession?

Because the client or clients may be minors , or the apartment is not safe for infants - balconies, etc.
And some owners just don't like kids.

Appreciate everyone's feedback.

You have to remember that AirBnB hosts or any other vacation rentals are not professional hoteliers.
As such, they can choose who they want to, as long as they don't break the law.

Robert I own investment properties which I rent out .

I want to know as much as possible about the person I am giving the keys to my 500,000 dollar investment to !

Birth dates and I want their employers name too!

Sorry , even if someone is coming in for a weekly rental as opposed to monthly , there is a lot of trust involved in letting total strangers use your stuff ( apartment or house ) Damage deposits can cover very little damage , it's easy to get shorted by big repairs !

Just remembered , not too long ago a VRBO here in Canada got totally screwed over by a group of young adults , they rented their place , had a huge party , destroyed it ( pulled sinks from walks etc ) and of course the damage deposit didn't cover a fraction , and worse the card they used as security was fake and they used fake id !! Homeowner was out tens of thousands !

The more info I get the better , im not selling anyone's info to the black market and I have MORE to lose than the renter does !

I don't care giving out my profession or ex-profession since I am retired but date of birth is another story. It is moot anyway because airbnb is not an option on a European trip.

In Le Parisien's paper yesterday, AirBnB hosts were accepting refugees for free or for a minimal cost.
The refugees were vetted, and were just waiting to receive their papers allowing them to work. The two who were interviewed were a math professor and a doctor.

Robert I own investment properties which I rent out .
I want to know as much as possible about the person I am giving the keys to my 500,000 dollar investment to !
Birth dates and I want their employers name too!

If they plan to screw you, they'll just lie.

I had a legal B&B in the US for 7 years.
What I would do was ask for normal personal information, then check their social media - FaceBook, LinkedIn, reverse phone numbers, etc.
If I didn't like what I found, the room was "already booked".