Luxury Villa Rental in Marrakech Leads to Legal Battle Over False Advertising

The case, judged last Wednesday, concerns a rental from summer 2024. An individual had rented the villa for 35,000 dirhams per week through agent M.B. Attracted by flattering WhatsApp photos, the tenant quickly faced a different reality. He told the website Al3omk that he found serious malfunctions - ventilation, air conditioning, jacuzzi, swimming pool - and cleanliness issues.

After paying the agreed 5,000 dirhams per day, the services proved to be far below what was advertised. The tenant therefore legally documented the situation, keeping his WhatsApp exchanges with the agent. He also denounces the tendency of some intermediaries to overvalue properties with inadequate services during high season.

To support his claims, a bailiff officially noted the state of the villa and the absence of promised equipment. The complainant said he was particularly stunned by the lack of functioning air conditioning in the middle of August, calling it a "manifest violation". Moreover, the financial receipt given, without VAT or tourist tax, aroused his suspicions of tax evasion, prompting him to alert the General Tax Directorate.

Although compensated, the citizen believes that "the amount of compensation awarded by the court did not reflect the real extent of the material and moral damage". Unsatisfied with this sum, he announced his intention to partially appeal. Beyond his case, he calls for better organization of the tourist villa rental sector and strict supervision of intermediaries, judging that silence in the face of these practices "is no longer acceptable in a state of law".