Property

What taxes are collected on a rented out second home in France?

Taxe d'habitation applies to all housing not used as a main residence

Equity release in France: do you need your children’s consent?

Plan may be complicated if your home purchase is shared with a partner

Landlords must declare rent in French property declaration form from 2026

New requirement relates to the Biens immobiliers online property ownership form

practical

Can mairie force me to cut down trees at French home?

Rules are complex but there should be a valid reason for such an order

More French communes levy additional tax charge on second homes

Over 650 communes voted for the maximum permitted charge

Why you should expect to see more spiders in your French home in September

France is home to more than 1,700 spider species

More French areas face ‘housing strain' - what this means for home owners

Rules regarding property taxes, renting, and home purchasing loans all set to change

Make sure you sell before buying a new French property, say notaires

Buoyant market in some parts of France had tempted some to buy before confirming sale

What is the role of France's Architectes des Bâtiments service?

Select group ABF provides protection for preservation and maintenance

Partner article: What are the risks of buying a flat off-plan in France?

Buyers only need to pay a 5% deposit on reservation

'We bought one of the oldest chateaux in the Loire Valley'

The beautiful 13th-Century Château de la Preuille is now a charming gîte and wedding venue

Who pays French property tax following shared house inheritance?

People with a lifetime right to use a house are usually responsible for paying

Home renovation grant rules tightened in France

Firms must now provide clients with proper documentation

French holiday rental property energy rating requirements to change

Other changes including some related to tax also come into force

Landlords: Take note of this French tenancy rule

If you rent out a home, watch out for locataire protégé rules

Buying a French chateau: 'I was only half-serious, then I fell in love!'

The castle, tucked in the Vallee d’Ossau, was up for sale at €599,000 when Ms Jasinski bought it

How does the 30% allowance for rental income in France really work?

There are two situations where there are rules on a 30% allowance

Can you negotiate an estate agent’s commission in France?

Agency fees can be paid by either the buyer or the seller

What are the rules on installing air-conditioning in your French home?

Authorisation is usually required before you can have a new unit put in

2025 taxe foncière bills arrive: five questions answered

Increases, second homes, property extensions: your questions answered

Energy aid: 2025 sees changes to France’s chèque énergie scheme

Electronic version of the voucher now available

Are there compensation payouts for French home losing internet?

Free mediator is available for cases not resolved amicably

Which areas suffer most burglaries in France and what items are targeted?

Thieves are working together to take more items from a home

Wall cracks due to heat are a growing problem in France

Up to 10 million homes affected by issue linked to clay soils that swell when wet and shrink in heat

New tricks by burglars in France and how to better protect your property

Increasingly high-tech methods are being used to break into homes

Property watch: See what €50,000, €150,000 and over €1m buys Haute-Saône

The sparsely populated department has a growing reputation as a lush and peaceful tourist destination

'Our French farmhouse was rebuilt by hundreds of helping hands'

Discover how a New Zealand-English couple transformed a dilapidated farmhouse into a vibrant home with the help of 145 volunteers

How to find the history of your home in France, including prior owners

The means of searching records can vary dependent upon a property’s age

Landowner refused planning permission granted compensation by French court

Compensation of €25,900 plus costs awarded after refusal deemed "illogical"

What taxes are levied on second homes in France?

The taxes, and possible exemptions, depend on your personal situation

Towns in France race to improve flood defences

A quarter of people now live in areas at risk of flooding according to government estimates

How to assume property ownership in France

Usucapion can take place if you have acted as if you believed you owned the property for at least 30 years

Map: See how French flat prices have changed this year

Recovering property market has not meant a blanket increase in prices

French property market showing sign of recovery: five key points from latest notaire data

Global uncertainties may impact speed and level of recovery

What are the restrictions on lawn mower usage in France this summer?

Aimed at reducing noise pollution, the rules can result in limited periods when grass can be cut

How do French authorities check and enforce drought restrictions?

Some exceptions allow pools to be ‘topped up’ even at highest drought alert levels

Map: Tap water restrictions extended as drought intensifies in France

Map shows position as at August 3, 2025 with several communes now facing ‘crisis’ alerts

UK home insurance difficulties for Briton living in France

Change of underwriters left woman without insurance for second home in Scotland

High fees on British assets normal under French law, says notaire

‘We’ve got nothing to reproach ourselves about,’ says professional at heart of fees dispute

French police can check your home (and vulnerable relatives) when you are away

Here is how to sign up for the service, as well as the special wellbeing check

Can you cancel a joint loan in France after separation from partner?

There are several issues to consider

Burglaries, scams, and climate change: what to be aware of when insuring a home in France

Some regions in France are more susceptible to burglary than others

Property exchanges: How to save thousands on French property sale taxes

Swapping your property rather than selling it can result in lower notaire fees

Invasive Japanese beetles detected in eastern France

Residents are being asked to report beetles

Red drought alerts raised in south-west France: restrictions on water usage in place

Obtaining water from natural sources is now banned

Can a large age gap invalidate a tontine agreement in France?

Tontine clauses are inserted at time of property purchase but can be invalidated at a later date

What documents are required to sell a home in France?

Property diagnostics are required as part of sales process

French officials order the destruction of a house in Perpignan

The villa was constructed over ten years ago

Wasps, mosquitoes, hornets, ants: how to deal with summer insects in France

Natural repellents can keep some pests away

Out of the red: Energy audit reforms to improve rating for 850,000 properties in France

New calculations will benefit homes heated by electricity and aim to put smaller rental units back on the market

Enedis reinforces anti-fraud checks on Linky meters in France

More than 100,000 meters found to have been tampered with to provide false readings

Are French holiday lets affected by taxe d'habitation?

It's important to know the exemptions when it comes to holiday properties

How to protect your home in France against forest fires

Keeping gardens clear of undergrowth is important, and in several areas is a legal requirement

New water restrictions in France: which areas are affected and what changes for residents

Warnings are being raised from north to south with the exception of the south-west (for now)

Does a pool still add value to French property despite water restrictions?

An increased selling price might look attractive but do not forget running costs, increased taxes and water bans

Hidden defects cause legal row for €1 house in France

Couple may sue French council over drainage issues in their bargain property.

New ways to release equity from French property

New ways for accessing capital while retaining your home in France

Giant housing estate to block view of Cézanne’s mountain in south of France

Mayor insists the houses are badly needed and that there has been consultation

Hilltop windmill offers free night in Dordogne

Accommodation for two people can be booked for one night through town website

People with a second home in France should check their insurance policy

Cover can be reduced or voided for homes left empty for significant periods of time

Photos: four historic French châteaux on sale for under €1 million

Grand abandoned properties are looking for new owners

Tips for keeping your home cool during heatwaves in France

France’s ecological transition agency has issued some tips that are also eco-friendly

Growing problem of unpaid ‘copropriété’ charges in blocks of flats in France

Authorities urge legal reforms as unpaid service charges suggest €2billion in arrears

Could property owners in France be obliged to combat heat in tenanted homes?

MPs from several parties want to tackle ‘boiler homes’

Surge in private swimming pool ‘squats’ in France

Warnings in place as owners can be held responsible for any injuries to pool squatters

Rennes becomes first city in France to limit size of swimming pools

Pools will be limited to 25m3 in size, 15m3 smaller than the average size in France

Key points and rules to consider if want a pool at your French home

Taxes, safety measures, running costs are all things you should factor in

Why your garden in France may look unusually ‘yellow’

Crops in northern France have been harvested early due to warmer temperatures

Table: Rural house price changes across France in 2024 – see how your department fares

Uneven shifts see falls of up to 19% and rises of nearly 12%

Partner article: What are the rules on noise from heat pumps in France?

Heat pumps are popular eco-friendly renovation choice

What are arrival timelines for declaring property wealth tax in France?

There is a ‘grace’ period available for wealth held overseas

What are the rules on fitting air conditioning into homes in France?

Work declaration, noise levels, professional certification - we review what is needed

French ‘property use’ declaration deadline: who has to submit before July 1?

Declarations have been required since 2023

French court backs homeowners in capital gains tax dispute over primary residence

No capital gains tax is due on the sale of a person's main home

French renovation grants maintained for insulation and boiler replacements

Applications for ‘monogestes’ will not be paused during summer months