Many people present in the vicinity of the fires have abandoned their rental, by choice or by constraint. The possibility of being reimbursed exists, but will not concern everyone.
36,750 people have already had to be evacuated in the face of the advance of the flames, specified Tuesday evening the sub-prefecture of Arcachon. A figure that has further swelled in the days of Wednesday and Thursday, despite a semblance of calm in recent hours. Among them, holidaymakers settled in the five campsites in the town of La Teste-de-Buch, which were completely ravaged by the flames. But also many other people present in the surrounding villages and who were evacuated as a precaution.
Read alsoFires in Gironde: Biscarrosse installs firewalls at all costs
For these victims, the time of emotions will quickly have to be that of finding and compensation. In effect, “with regard to the rental contract, the spirit of the law dictates that in the event of non-performance suffered, the holidaymaker is entitled to a refund“Explains Corinne Jolly, President of Individual to Individual. On the other hand, this may take time, she warns. Another point of attention,reimbursement will only take place in proportion to the evacuation time imposed by the authorities.In short, if the initial rental was for two weeks and the evacuation order only lasted seven days, only this duration will have to be compensated.
SEE ALSO – Fires: “We will help you rebuild”, assures Emmanuel Macron in Gironde
Read your rental contract carefully
On the other hand, the probability of financial compensation looks more difficult for holidaymakers who have decided to leave on their own, or those who no longer wish to take their rental. “It’s exactly as if you don’t want to come anymore because of the bad weather“, points out Corinne Jolly. In this case, you will have to look at the rental contract and see the cancellation conditions. If no refund is guaranteed, it will be at the discretion of the owner of the premises, “but the probability that he finds someone else is low, so there is little chance that he will accept“, she warns.
For those who imagine that a statement “force majeure” or of “natural disaster“, can change things, Corinne Jolly prefers to temper hopes: “we always have the impression of being concerned, but in reality it is decreed“. In addition, “many contracts do not contain anything on this subject.»
Read alsoFires in Gironde: the medieval management of the forest of La Teste
Reimbursement should be facilitated for owners of campsites and other residents who have seen their property destroyed. Passing through Gironde, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, outlined the stages of aid: “1, putting pressure on insurers. 2, quickly give new reconstruction rules, and 3, accompany with aid mechanisms, so that next season trade resumes normally.»
SEE ALSO – Gironde: the fire is not fixed but “the situation is more and more favorable”, specifies the sub-prefect Ronan Léaustic