INFOS

Collecting wood in the forest:

      The management of forests, whether public or private, is regulated by the Forestry Code, which stipulates that: ‘Collecting branches and small pieces of wood, helping oneself to wood piles at the side of the road and cutting wood without the owner's permission constitutes theft’.
      If you use wood to fuel a wood-burning stove or fireplace, it is important to know that collecting wood in the forest and cutting down trees is prohibited and punishable by law. The ONF (French National Forestry Office) is authorised to issue fines and prosecute offenders.

Rent reference index:

      A new rent reference index (IRL), used as a basis for reviewing the rent of unfurnished or furnished accommodation with a residential lease, has just been published by INSEE for the fourth quarter of 2025: It stands at 145.78, compared with 144.64 a year earlier, representing an increase of 0.79% over one year.
      This index is calculated based on the average change in consumer prices, excluding tobacco and rents, over the last 12 months.
      If the lease provides for an annual rent review based on the annual change in this index, it will be requested on the date specified in the lease or, failing that, on the anniversary date of the lease.

Tax solidarity: Exemption :

      Due to the joint liability of spouses or civil partners for tax purposes, an ex-spouse is liable for any tax debt.
      However, depending on their situation, an ex-spouse may sometimes be exempted from paying all or part of a joint tax debt if the couple is properly separated, if there is a clear disproportion between the tax debt and their financial situation, and if the ex-spouse has fulfilled their personal tax obligations since the break-up.
      For a separation to be recognised by the tax authorities, it must be validated by a divorce, legal separation, dissolution of a civil partnership, authorisation of separate residences, or abandonment of the home by one of the spouses or partners.

Tax solidarity:

      If taxation is joint, the tax debts of a married or civil partnership couple, including after separation, must be paid by both parties.
      However, a married or civil partnership couple may not be subject to joint taxation if:

- The couple decides to opt for separate taxation in the year of marriage
- If the couple does not live together permanently and a separation of property has been recorded
- If each party has separate income in the event of abandonment of the marital home.
      The tax authorities may claim any tax due but not paid from either party if, in the event of separation, the tax debts were incurred during the period of joint taxation.

Development tax:

      The latest downward trend in the construction cost index published by INSEE is used to calculate the amount of the development tax (or tax on garden sheds). This tax will decrease by 4.06% in 2026.
      This tax, levied on all structures larger than 5 m², whether covered, enclosed or removable, located outside dwellings, as well as conservatories and swimming pools, is levied once only, when these structures are completed or when existing structures are extended.
      In some municipalities, the surface areas of these structures between 5 and 20 m² and subject to prior declaration may be exempt.
      In 2026, the annual value per square metre of the development tax will be €892 (€1,011 in the Ile-de-France region). However, for swimming pools, this value is set at €251 per m².
      The flat rate for outdoor parking spaces is set at €2,928 per space. However, some local authorities have set this tax at €5,857.

Mortgage rates:

      On Tuesday 20 January, the Crédit Logement/CSA Observatory published its projections for mortgage rates, which are set to rise due to the current economic uncertainty.
      From 3.17%, excluding insurance and ancillary costs, in December 2025, the average rate is expected to rise to 3.55% in the fourth quarter of 2026 (an annual average of 3.41%) and then to 3.95% in the fourth quarter of 2027 (an annual average of 3.60%).
      The average term of loans is close to the limit authorised by the Bank of France, which is 25 years, or 21 years, or more precisely, 250 months.

Friday, 19 December 2025:

Funeral insurance:

      A funeral insurance policy is a financial investment taken out by a policyholder to cover funeral expenses. The insured person designates a beneficiary who will receive the capital upon their death. However, the beneficiary is not necessarily informed by the policyholder, nor are they necessarily informed of the death.
      The Association for the Management of Insurance Risk Information (Agira) provides an online service that allows anyone to check whether or not they are the beneficiary of an insurance policy (life, funeral or long-term care insurance).
      The law on dormant bank accounts and unclaimed life insurance policies, known as the Eckert Law, requires insurers to inform policyholders about their policies each year and to consult the national register of natural persons each year in order to identify deceased policyholders and to use all means possible to locate the beneficiaries of unpaid policies.
      The costs associated with searching for beneficiaries cannot be charged to them.

Thursday, 18 December 2025:

Land registry :

      The land registry lists and identifies French land properties, and its tax documents, which are not legal documents, serve as the basis for calculating property tax.
      The cadastral map is a graphic representation of the municipality defining the main roads, waterways and ditches, and the location of land properties with the footprint of any buildings.
      This cadastral map is used to define the cadastral matrix, a written administrative document indicating the identity of the owners of all listed land or buildings, and can be consulted by anyone!
- at the Town Hall
- by making an appointment on the official website 'cadastre.gouv.fr'. Simply indicate the address or cadastral reference of the plot you are looking for.
- by post to the local council or the property tax centre responsible for the cadastral plot.
            It is also possible to request an extract from the cadastral register by completing 'form 6815-EM-SD' and sending it to the property tax centre responsible for the cadastral parcel.
      This tax map is not intended to guarantee property rights. Nor does it establish property boundaries, which can only be measured by a chartered surveyor.
      If you wish to rectify the boundaries of a property listed in the cadastre, for example in the event of a division or partition of a plot, you must contact the land registry office responsible for the property and complete 'form 6463-N-SD', accompanied by a survey document drawn up by a qualified surveyor.

Wednesday, 17 December 2025:

Possible suspension:

      If France's budget is not approved by Parliament before 31 December, MaPrimeRénov’ will be suspended as of 1 January 2026, according to the Minister of Housing.
      Such a suspension already took place from the end of June to the end of September, slowing down renovation work. To date, there are nearly 80,000 applications currently being processed.
      In addition, 140,000 small dwellings have been removed from the list of energy-inefficient properties thanks to the new EPC calculation method.

Tuesday, 16 December 2025:

Sixth period (P6):

      The entry into force of the sixth period (P6) of energy saving certificates , which redefines the funding priorities of the scheme, is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2026, but the new Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE), which is supposed to set out the strategic direction for the sector, has still not been published.
      CEE subsidies have increased significantly for the replacement of gas, oil or coal systems with wood heating and heat pumps. MaPrimeRénov will retain most of the conditions required in 2025, except for the budget cut of 5 December concerning support for single measures for wall insulation and biomass boilers.
      A new EPC coefficient applied to electricity will improve the rating of certain homes, while funding for the replacement of carbon-based heating with a collective heat pump or geothermal system will be increased fivefold.

Monday, December 15, 2025:

Bank fees:

      The Observatoire des tarifs bancaires (OTB) recently published its 14th annual report. The average bank account management fees in effect as of April 1, 2025, increased by 8.95% at half of all banks, while the other half did not change their fees. These fees can range from €0.48 to €24 per year, depending on the bank.
      Fees for stopping payment on a check or checkbook vary depending on the institution (between €10 and €20 for a check, and between €15 and €30 for a checkbook). Only a few banks, mainly online banks, offer this service free of charge.
      International payment cards, depending on the type of card, have increased by less than 3% (immediate debit: +2.91%; deferred debit: +2.98%).
      The cost of setting up a SEPA direct debit mandate has increased by 16.67%, with two institutions now charging for this service.
      A one-off transfer at the counter costs around €5, representing a 4% increase for transactions carried out in branches.
      Withdrawals made at another bank's ATM may be subject to a fee, but most banks offer two to three free withdrawals per month, and the cost of an out-of-network withdrawal is generally around €1.
      You can compare the main fees charged by different banks free of charge by consulting the bank fee comparison tool.

Saturday, 13 December 2025:

Visual impairment:

      Before signing any notarised document, the notary must ensure that the parties' consent is ‘free and informed’.
      If one of the parties, who is visually impaired, is physically unable to fully understand the deed, two witnesses may attest to that party's consent in order to reinforce the notary's advisory role. The notary will mention the presence of these two witnesses in the deed.

Friday, 12 December 2025:

Furnished tourist accommodation and VAT:

      A law passed in October 2025 maintains the 10% VAT exemption for furnished tourist rentals with annual income not exceeding €85,000. However, in the 2026 finance bill, this threshold is set to be reduced to €37,500.
      The finance bill must be passed before 31 December 2025.
      1.2 million properties were rented out as furnished tourist accommodation on 1 January 2025.
      If a furnished tourist rental is for less than 30 consecutive days for the same customer and offers at least 3 of these 4 services:
- Breakfast
- Regular cleaning of the premises
- Provision of household linen, sheets, towels, etc.
- Reception of guests

      ... it is subject to VAT.

Thursday, 11 December 2025:

Private landlords:

      The status of private landlords should encourage individuals to invest in rental properties by allowing them to benefit from tax depreciation.
      It is part of the fight against energy-inefficient buildings by renovating old buildings and promoting more energy-efficient new construction.
      As we have seen, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028, it will allow tax depreciation, up to a limit of 80% of the value of the property and £8,000 per year, for a maximum of two properties:
- 3.5% per annum for new intermediate-rent housing,
- 4.5% for social housing
- 5.5% for very social housing.
      This lease must be signed for a minimum term of 12 years as a primary residence.
      It may only be signed if the tenant has no family ties to the landlord.
      Rents must be 15% below market rates.

Wednesday, 10 December 2025 :

Status of Private Landlords :

      To address the shortage of rental housing across France, the Senate has just adopted—following the National Assembly—a measure aimed at creating a “private landlord status,” designed to provide tax incentives encouraging private individuals to invest in rental property.
      New dwellings offered at intermediate rent levels, at 4.5% for social housing and 5.5% for very low-income social housing, up to 80% of the property’s value and a maximum of 8,000 euros per year, may benefit from an annual tax depreciation rate of 3.5%.
Translated with DeepL.com

Tuesday, 9 December 2025:

Consultation mission:

      Wind and solar energy receive financial support from the government to develop their deployment, which is deplored by the far right and part of the right wing, who do not understand why nuclear energy is not included in this comprehensive study.
      The Prime Minister has therefore launched a three-month consultation mission on the cost of this support for renewable energies in order to adapt this funding to budgetary, technological and market fluctuations. The mission will seek to ‘propose a more effective and sustainable support model that is better shared between public and private actors’, with an emphasis on risk sharing between the State and private producers.
      Energy sources were expected to represent €14 billion in 2023. Support for renewable energies (solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal) will represent €8.2 billion in the 2026 Finance Bill.
Translated with DeepL.com

Monday, 8 December 2025:

Heating costs:

      The Senate has just voted to increase the cost of gas heating and reduce the cost of electricity in order to ‘support the energy transition’ and thus promote cleaner electricity.
      However, left-wing senators are contesting this measure, arguing that it is ‘detrimental to those who heat their homes with gas, more often out of necessity than by choice.’
      Considering that ‘wood-fired boilers produce ten times less carbon than gas or oil-fired boilers’, the wood heating industry is protesting against the end of MaPrimeRénov' for single-step wood boiler installations in 2026, touting the cost of this energy source as three times cheaper than electricity.

Saturday, 6 December 2025:

Management fees:

      Bank account management fees (or account maintenance fees) are charges levied by a bank for managing and maintaining a current account. They may vary depending on the institution and the services included.
      In France, account maintenance fees can range from €0 to €30 per year, depending on the bank. Some online institutions are free, while traditional banks charge more.
      These fees can be reduced by:
- Switching to an online bank or neobank.
- Bundling services into a package such as a banking package.
- Removing unnecessary options (paid SMS alerts, duplicate insurance, etc.).
- Opting for a less expensive card.

Friday, 5 December 2025 :

Mortgage loans:

      According to the Crédit Logement CSA observatory, the average interest rate for a mortgage loan is Est observatory, the average rate for a mortgage loan is 3.14% at the end of this year, or 3.22% over 25 years, 3.17% over 20 years, and 3.04% over 15 years, which is rather low compared to the average rates in other European countries.
      Long-term loans, with a term of 25 years, have been declining since the beginning of the year.

Thursday, 4 December 2025:

Thermostats:

      The widespread installation of thermostats in new and existing residential and commercial buildings could be postponed until 2030 instead of 2027, much to the dismay of building professionals who believe that this delay will hinder immediate CO₂ emissions reductions and will deal another blow to an already struggling economic sector.
      The widespread use of these thermostats would save 3 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Thermostat professionals are calling for the requirement to be maintained until 2027.

Wednesday, 3 December 2025:

Civil partnership :

The civil partnership (PACS) is a contract between two adults, of different or the same sex, that allows them to organise their life together and imposes rights and obligations.
      For individuals who entered into a PACS before 1 January 2007, joint ownership is the rule, meaning that assets acquired during their PACS, either jointly or separately, belong equally to both parties. Since 1 January 2007, property has been separated unless the couple chooses otherwise by stipulating this in their civil partnership contract (or agreement).
      The civil partnership must be registered (free of charge) at the town hall. It may be dissolved at the initiative of one or both partners, thereby ending joint ownership.

Tuesday, 2 December 2025:

Guaranteeing a loan:

      If a borrower cannot obtain insurance to guarantee their loan or if the collateral offered is insufficient, they may seek an alternative guarantee that will be accepted by the credit institution:
- a surety bond: this allows a solvent person, known as the ‘guarantor’, to commit to the bank to repay the loan in the event that the borrower is no longer able to do so.
- capital pledge: the bank may draw on a life insurance policy or any other capital held by the borrower in the event of default.
- mortgage on real estate if the borrower already owns real estate.

Monday, 1 December 2025:

AERAS:

      The agreement known as AERAS (Insurance and Loans for People with Serious Health Risks) facilitates access to insurance and loans for people who have or have had health problems.
      If the borrower's state of health does not allow them to obtain loan insurance under normal conditions, the insurer automatically initiates the AERAS agreement in order to be able to make an insurance proposal or not.
      If no insurance proposal can be made to you, the applicant may refer the matter to the mediation committee, which is responsible for examining individual complaints and promoting amicable settlement of cases.

Saturday, 29 November 2025:

Right to be forgotten:

      Since 1 June 2022, the health questionnaire required by the insurer of a loan is no longer necessary if the amount borrowed is less than or equal to €200,000 or if the loan is to be repaid in full before the borrower reaches the age of 60.
      If the insurance contract for this mortgage expires before the borrower's 71st birthday, they are entitled to a for the condition to be overlooked if the end of the treatment protocol for an illness dates back more than five years from the date of the insurance application and no relapse has been observed.
      However, "other medical conditions and risk factors, current situations of incapacity, disability or unfitness for work, whether or not related to the condition covered by the “right to be forgotten”, must be declared to the insurer in response to the health questionnaire and may be subject to an appropriate decision or pricing as such," states the agreement known as AERAS (Insurance and Borrowing with an Aggravated Health Risk).

Friday, 28 November 2025:

Loan insurance:

      To apply for loan insurance in order to purchase real estate from an insurer, you must complete a health questionnaire. However, only the insurer's medical staff is authorised to use this questionnaire to obtain information about the applicant's state of health.
      This medical questionnaire enables the insurer to assess the applicant's state of health in order to determine the risk to be covered, the level of cover and the premium to be offered.
      The information provided in this questionnaire is protected by medical confidentiality. It concerns the age, weight, height, whether the borrower smokes, drinks alcohol, is undergoing medical treatment or suffers from an illness or disability, whether they are due to be hospitalised in the near future, etc. (to be continued)

Thursday, 27 November 2025:

Tax reductions or credits:

      Employing a domestic helper, having your children looked after outside your home, paying union dues or making a donation can result in income tax reductions or credits. An advance payment of 60% of the amount, calculated on the basis of expenses incurred in 2024 and declared in 2025, will be paid in mid-January 2026.
It is possible to modify this advance payment or waive it before 11 December by going to the impots.gouv.fr website, opening your ‘Individuals’ space, then the ‘Manage my pay-as-you-earn’ section and ‘Manage my tax reduction and credit advances’.
      It is necessary to modify this advance if the amount of donations has been reduced in 2025 or if you no longer employ domestic staff, in order to avoid paying too much in January, which would result in an overpayment that would have to be refunded in the summer of 2026.
      An immediate advance payment made by Urssaf for personal services will be automatically deducted from the amount paid in January 2026.

Wednesday, 26 November 2025:

Energy-inefficient buildings:

      On 1 January 2025, there were 5.4 million energy-inefficient buildings in France, 400,000 fewer than in January 2024, but a large part of this decrease was due to a change in the way the EPC is calculated, which gives a rating from A to G for the least efficient homes.
It was therefore mainly the change in the EPC calculation thresholds for small areas in main residences that had a major impact.

Tuesday, 25 November 2025:

Agira, online service:

      The Association for the Management of Insurance Risk Information (Agira) provides an online service that allows users to search for the existence of an insurance policy (life, funeral or long-term care insurance) in order to find out who is named as the beneficiary.
      If the insurer is not aware of the policyholder's death or cannot locate the beneficiaries of the policy, the policy becomes a “unclaimed policy”. To avoid this situation, the Eckert Act on dormant bank accounts and unclaimed life insurance policies requires insurers to inform policyholders about their policies each year and, where applicable, to consult the national register of natural persons to verify whether the insured person is still alive.
(Translated with DeepL.com)

Monday, 24 November 2025:

Death and inactive bank account :

      In the event of the death of the holder of an inactive bank account or savings product, and if no claim is made by the beneficiaries within three years of the death, the account will be closed and the balance transferred to the Caisse des Dépôts, which will hold it for 27 years.
      After 30 years without any claimants coming forward, the funds will be transferred to the State or overseas authorities on a permanent basis. Restitution will no longer be possible.

Saturday, 22 November 2025:

Death and inactive bank account :

      Banks and financial institutions that manage inactive accounts are required to verify that account holders are still alive by cross-referencing customer files with the National Register of Natural Persons (RNIPP) maintained by INSEE.
      Account holders or their legal representatives or beneficiaries must be informed by these institutions of the inactive status of the accounts.
      Account maintenance fees will be limited.
      Banks must publish each year the number of inactive bank accounts and the amount of outstanding balances held or transferred to the Caisse des Dépôts. They must close the account after 10 years, depending on whether the holder is alive or not and the type of financial product.
      The Caisse des Dépôts must publish the identities of the holders of transferred bank accounts on the website       ciclade.caissedesdepots.fr/en

Friday, 21 November 2025:

Inactive bank accounts (continued):

      Banks are required to keep inactive bank accounts or savings products belonging to account holders who are still alive for 10 years and must return the funds during this period.
      After 10 years without any news from the account holder, they must close the account and transfer its balance to the Caisse des Dépôts, which may hold it for 20 years and then, if there is still no news, transfer the funds to the State or overseas communities on a permanent basis.
      The funds will no longer be available for repayment.

Tuesday, 18 November 2025:

Capillary action (continued):

      Certain materials influence capillary action:
- Stone and brick , which are very porous and therefore more susceptible
- Concrete, which is more waterproof but can promote surface condensation
- Cement plaster, which often blocks evaporation and aggravates the symptoms.

Monday, 17 November 2025 :

Capillary rise (continued):

      If you are experiencing capillary rise, you should call in a professional who will carry out a complete hygrometric analysis of the wall and floor, make a diagnosis, measure the moisture content in the walls and then decide on the best course of action:
- Injections of water-repellent resin to create a waterproof barrier,
- Installation of a waterproof membrane between the base of the wall and the foundations
- Perimeter drainage around the building to remove water from the ground
- Dehumidification and increased ventilation to dry out the walls.

Saturday, 15 November 2025 :

Capillary action:

      Some houses suffer from capillary action or rising damp. This is water rising from the ground through porous materials such as brick, stone or concrete.
      The presence of water in the ground is due to poorly drained land or a high water table.
      This phenomenon is characterised inside homes by damp patches at the bottom of walls, often with a whitish salt deposit, peeling paint or plaster, and sometimes a musty smell. The marks are often regular and horizontal, unlike leaks, which leave vertical or localised marks.
      This phenomenon can cause allergies.

Friday, 14 November 2025:

Property purchase:

      In 2025, 62% of non-homeowners aged 18 to 35 consider purchasing their primary residence to be a very important goal. This percentage is slightly lower than in 2020, when it was 63%, a decline that can be explained by the current uncertain and unfavourable economic climate.
      The desire to become a homeowner remains very strong regardless of age and economic situation, even if it is hampered by the rise in interest rates envisaged by banks, the amount of personal contribution required and the current prices of properties for sale, which remain high.
      89% believe that current prices are hindering the realisation of this project, with 86% citing the level of personal contribution required and 69% being held back by rising interest rates.

Thursday, 13 November 2025:

Capital gains:

      When you sell a second home and make a capital gain, it is taxed at a rate of 19% for a period of 22 years and subject to social security contributions at a rate of 17.2% for a period of 30 years.
      Members of Parliament have just voted to reduce the holding period to 17 years, but this does not apply to social security contributions, which remain at 30 years.

Wednesday, 12 November 2025:

Furnished rental landlords:

      One third of the 1.2 million furnished rental landlords in France do not comply with the legal obligation to register their rental property due to ignorance, negligence or unwillingness, which means that nearly 400,000 landlords remain affiliated with the ‘micro-BIC’ regime and that many of them will have to switch to the actual regime. If they fail to do so, they risk declaring their income and submitting their tax returns too late.
      This registration is quick and free of charge and must take place within 15 days of the first expense incurred for the rental activity, purchase of the property, first furniture or start of work, and not on the first day of rental.
      Without registration, the tax authorities will consider that there is no activity, refuse to take into account deductible expenses and may penalise the lack of a tax return with a fine of €150 per missing page after a 30-day amicable reminder.

Monday, 10 November 2025:

Rental income:

      The tax authorities had to send an email to 776,000 landlords to warn them that they may have to change their tax regime when declaring their rental income.
      The Le Meur law, which regulates the taxation of furnished rentals, has just changed the income threshold above which the actual regime applies, from €77,700 to €15,000 for unclassified accommodation and from €188,700 to €77,700 for classified accommodation.
Below this threshold, the landlord can opt for either the actual tax regime or a “micro-BIC” regime.
      The actual regime allows landlords to deduct all expenses actually incurred and to depreciate the property in order to declare their rental income, but requires them to register the rental by providing a SIRET number and to keep accounts.

Saturday, 8 November 2025:

Rental fees:

      The decree of 1 August 2014 capped the estate agency fees, governed by the law of 6 July 1989, payable by tenants for renting accommodation. These fees cover the viewing of the property, the preparation of the file, the drafting of the lease and the move-in inventory.
      An upward revision is planned for 1 January 2026, subject to a positive annual variation in the reference rent index (IRL). For 2026, this index is that of the third quarter of 2025, i.e. 145.77, corresponding to an increase of 0.87% over one year.
      These new rules will only apply to leases signed on or after 1 January 2026.
      The aBc agency does not offer annual rentals.

Friday, 7 November 2025:

First-time buyers:

      In a public session, MPs adopted an amendment to the 2026 budget authorising tax exemptions for family gifts to help first-time buyers purchase older properties, on condition that they keep them for at least five years.
     This means that parents will be able to transfer £100,000, net of tax, to their children once every 15 years. Until now, only new homes or older homes undergoing energy renovation work were eligible.
     The recipient may receive up to £300,000 from three different family donors, tax-free.
     Such a donation will enable first-time buyers to increase their personal contribution when taking out a bank loan, thereby reducing their monthly repayments.

Wednesday, 5 November 2025:

Property wealth tax:

      On 31 October, the National Assembly adopted an amendment transforming the property wealth tax (IFI) into a new tax on unproductive wealth in order to encourage the wealthiest taxpayers to transfer their assets to rental property, businesses or innovation. Individuals whose so-called ‘unproductive’ wealth exceeds €2 million will be taxed.
      However, this amendment has been criticised by MPs who do not consider it to be very effective.
      186,000 households are subject to the current property wealth tax.
      The wealth tax was abolished by Emmanuel MACRON in 2017.

Tuesday, 4 November 2025:

Burying a deceased person:

      In exceptional circumstances and under certain conditions, a coffin or urn may be buried in the garden of a private property, creating an easement for the deceased's relatives, who must have free access to the grave for remembrance.
      The property must not be located in an urban area.
      It should be noted that if the land is sold, the easement will be imposed on the new owner.
      For a coffin, the opinion of a hydrogeologist is mandatory: you must contact the Regional Health Agency (ARS), a step that can be taken by the funeral director.
      For an urn, the owner's consent is required if the land does not belong to the applicant.

Saturday, 1 November 2025:

Bank charges for inheritance:

      The rules relating to bank fees for inheritance apply to:
- deposit accounts,
- savings accounts,
- Livret A savings accounts,
- Livret d'épargne populaire savings accounts,
- the sustainable and solidarity savings account,
- the youth savings account
- the popular savings plan.
      However, they do not apply to, among other things, the climate future savings plan or the SME innovation account, and banks will still be able to apply the inheritance fees of their choice, without having to comply with the limits put in place as of 13 November.

Friday, 31st October 2025 :

Bank fees for inheritance :

      From 13 November 2025, the fees that a bank may charge when closing a deceased person's account and opening their estate will be capped at 1% of the total amount of the deceased's account balances and savings products, and may not exceed a maximum of €850. This amount will be adjusted on 1 January each year, based on the change in the annual average consumer price index calculated by INSEE. There are some cases where no fees will be charged: If the account holder and savings product holder is a minor If the total balance of the deceased's accounts and savings products is less than £5,910 If the estate is not manifestly complex. The bank must contact the solicitor in charge of the estate to provide them with an inventory of the funds (current account, Livret A savings account, Livret d'épargne populaire savings account, etc.) and transfer the money to the heirs, invoicing this procedure under the heading ‘bank charges for inheritance’. Until now, the amount of these fees has varied from one bank to another. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Thursday, 30 October 2025:

Divorce proceedings:

      It is entirely possible to purchase property while divorce proceedings are ongoing. Under a matrimonial regime without a marriage contract, the property will become part of the joint assets and will therefore belong to both spouses.
      However, if the purchasing spouse uses their own funds that they held before their marriage, or obtained through inheritance or donation, the property purchased will not be included in the joint assets, provided that a re-use clause is included in the notarial deed for the property purchased. This very important clause serves to specify the origin of the personal funds used to purchase the property, in order to prevent it from being considered joint property.
      Under a matrimonial regime of separation of property, property purchased by one of the spouses will belong entirely to that spouse.
      When the divorce proceedings are finalised, the agreement or court decision sets a date from which the spouses' property is no longer joint property. Any property purchased after this date is the property of the spouse who purchased it.

Wednesday, 29 October 2025:

Heat pumps:

      The French heat pump market fell by 12% in 2024 and the air/water heat pump market by 40%. These declines are due to the instability of subsidies such as MaPrimeRénov, the poor competitiveness of electricity, and the current economic and political context.
      These heat pumps were supposed to gradually replace gas boilers, which were due to be phased out by around 2040. However, this deadline is unlikely to be met, as this change is not always a viable solution for replacing gas.

Tuesday, 28 October 2025:

Tenant:

      A tenant must maintain the rented property, carry out minor repairs and routine maintenance: garden maintenance, costs related to doors and windows, glazing and blinds. Ensure that the premises are kept clean, including paintwork, cupboards, water pipes, electricity, etc.
      The accommodation must be insured by the tenant.
      He must pay rent regularly on the date specified in the lease, with a provision for charges, adjusted annually according to their actual amount as justified by the lessor one month before the adjustment.
      The accommodation may not be used as commercial premises unless the lease provides for this.
      It may not be modified without the lessor's written consent. And the lessor may not be liable for compensation for any alterations. The lessor may consider carrying out work to improve the energy performance of the accommodation or its maintenance without the tenant being able to object. The landlord must notify the tenant of the nature and duration of the work sufficiently in advance. This work may not be carried out on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays and may result in a reduction in rent if it lasts for more than 21 days during the current month.

Monday, 27 October 2025:

Furnished tourist rentals:

      It is strictly prohibited to rent out furnished tourist accommodation in social housing, as this exposes the tenant-landlord to financial penalties and termination of their lease.
      The law of 19 November 2024 aimed to guarantee decent housing conditions for tenants by allowing mayors to suspend the validity of registration numbers.
      It will come into effect in May 2026.

Saturday, 25 October 2025:

Stop Fraud:

      A new organisation, Stop Fraudes, set up on the initiative of Franck Annameyer, former president of Sonergia, a delegated energy saving certificate issuer, will combat fraud in energy renovation subsidies through identity theft and unfulfilled promises of work. Its task will be to identify the minority of fraudsters who threaten the energy renovation budget.
      An investigation by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) revealed that 34% of the companies consulted had committed ‘serious breaches’.

Friday, 24 October 2025:

Time change:

      The clocks will change again on the night of Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 October 2025. We will therefore need to set our watches back one hour: at 3 a.m. it will be 2 a.m.
      Introduced in France following the oil crisis of 1973-1974, this time change has been generalised and harmonised within the European Union, taking place on the last Sunday in October for the switch to winter time and the last Sunday in March for the switch to summer time.
      This time change has long since served no purpose. There is still talk of abolishing it, but European countries cannot agree on the best option: France would like to keep summer time all year round, while other nations would prefer to keep winter time.

Thursday, 23 October 2025:

Climate hazards:

      3,680 French people took part in a survey conducted by the Qualitel association and were questioned between April and May 2025, i.e. before this summer's heatwaves, about their attitudes towards climate hazards. Fear of storms, floods and erosion topped the list, along with heatwaves and fires.
      86% of those surveyed said they had experienced at least one climate-related hazard in the last ten years.
      One in two French people consider that their home is not suitable for coping with high temperatures, but only 20% are considering carrying out work, with the rest finding the work too expensive.
      Thermal insulation is a priority for those considering renovations, followed by roof reinforcement and the installation of shutters or sunshades.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025: Council tax (continued): The cadastral rental value for council tax purposes is the theoretical value of the annual rent that the property could generate if it were rented under normal conditions.
      This value is determined based on the size of the dwelling, its location and its amenities. It may be adjusted by allowances to take into account the family's actual expenses , income, etc.
      Once this rental base has been determined, the local tax rates voted by local authorities, municipalities, inter-municipal bodies and any local structures are applied to it.
      Municipalities may apply additional taxes, such as management fees or surcharges of up to 60%, for second homes in areas where there is high demand for housing.

      In the event of an error on your council tax bill, you should contact the tax department via the secure messaging service in your personal account on impots.gouv.fr or call 0 809 401 401.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

Council tax :

      Notices of council tax assessment on a second home are sent out every year in November.
      This tax is collected for the benefit of local authorities. This is why the amount varies from one municipality to another, as it represents a significant source of revenue for these authorities. Some have increased it drastically, while others have simply adjusted it in line with annual inflation:
- In 2022, inflation rose by an average of +5.2% over the year
- In 2023, inflation rose by an average of +4.9%
- In 2024, around +2.0% on average
- The monetary institution (Banque de France) anticipates inflation of around 1.0% for 2025.

      Since 2024, there has been a slowdown in price increases, signalling a return to more normal levels. In the municipality of GRIMAUD, the council tax has only increased by the amount of annual inflation for several years.

      Tax notices are available on the tax website, in your personal account, from 3 November if you do not pay monthly and from 17 November if you do pay monthly.
      You can receive your notice by post between 6 and 19 November if you do not pay monthly or between 21 and 28 November if you do.
      The payment deadlines are midnight on 15 December if you do not use a paperless payment method and midnight on 20 December if you do. If the payment is taken automatically by the tax authorities, it will be debited from your bank account on or after 29 December.

Saturday, 18 October 2025 :

winter truce :

      Eviction proceedings by landlords against tenants are still suspended from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026: landlords cannot evict tenants, even if they have a court order in their favour.
      The winter truce also applies to gas and electricity cuts.
- The winter truce does not apply to:
- persons benefiting from rehousing that meets their family needs,
- residents of accommodation located in a building affected by a safety order,
- spouses or partners whose eviction from the marital home has been ordered by the family court judge as part of a non-conciliation order in divorce proceedings,
- spouses, civil partners or cohabiting partners who are violent towards their partner or a child, and whose eviction from the family home has been ordered by the family court judge as part of a protection order,
- squatters occupying a home, whether it is a primary or secondary residence.

Friday, 17 October 2025 :

Micro-BIC scheme:

      Jointly owned accommodation is not eligible for the micro-BIC regime, meaning that income generated by this accommodation must be declared under the actual regime. Furnished rentals are subject to CFE tax, but there are some exemptions which can be found on the tax website “www.impots.gouv.fr”.
      The rental of furnished accommodation is exempt from VAT if it is listed on a rental platform such as Abritel or Airbnb, but if the keys are handed over by the owner in person or via a code-operated box, the rental is considered a para-hotel service, i.e. with breakfast, linen and cleaning provided, and is subject to 10% tax.
      However, if the turnover does not exceed the basic exemption thresholds, set at €37,500 for the previous year and €41,250 for the current year (increased threshold), these rentals are not subject to tax.
      However, the 2025 Finance Act had planned to lower these amounts to €25,000 in turnover for the previous year and €27,500 during the year (increased threshold), but this has been postponed until the next Finance Act (i.e. the end of 2025).
      If annual income remains below €23,000, it must be declared as part of the annual income tax return and is automatically subject to social security contributions at an overall rate of 17.2%. If it exceeds €23,000, it must be registered with Urssaf, which will request payment of social security contributions.

Thursday, 16 October 2025 :

Short-term furnished rentals and BIC :

      Income from short-term furnished rentals falls under the category of industrial and commercial profits (BIC).
      If annual income does not exceed €15,000 for an unclassified furnished tourist accommodation, or €77,700 for a classified furnished tourist accommodation, the tax regime is that of micro-BIC, which entitles you to a flat-rate allowance of 30% for income received in 2025 for an unclassified furnished tourist accommodation, or 50% for a classified furnished tourist accommodation.
      Rental income will be included in the annual tax return using form 2042 C-PRO.
      If the income exceeds €15,000 in 2025 for an unclassified furnished tourist accommodation, or €77,700 for a classified furnished tourist accommodation, the tax regime is the actual regime, allowing all costs and expenses to be deducted.
      Rental income must be reported on form No. 2031-SD of the No. 2042 C-PRO income tax return.

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 :

Declaration of business creation :

      It is mandatory to submit a declaration of business creation or commencement of activity within 15 days of starting a furnished tourist rental business in order to obtain a SIRET number and choose your tax regime. Income from short-term furnished rentals is taxable.
      This declaration can be made on the websites “formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr" or “procedures.inpi.fr”.
      " All seasonal rental contracts must be in writing and contain the asking price, accompanied by a description of the premises.’
      The amount of rent is set freely.
      Income below €305 is not subject to taxation.

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 :

Declaration of a furnished tourist accommodation :

      Depending on the municipality where the rental property is located, it will now be necessary to declare, in advance, a furnished tourist rental activity to the town hall of the place of accommodation (Article L324-1-1, III, of the Tourism Code) in order to receive a number that must be mentioned on rental advertisements.
      However, regardless of the municipality, this declaration, which requires registration, will become mandatory throughout France by 20 May 2026 at the latest.

Monday, 13 October 2025 :

Furnished tourist accommodation :

      A ‘furnished tourist accommodation’ refers to the rental of one's primary residence to temporary guests who do not take up residence there. This type of rental is strictly regulated by law:
- It may not exceed 90 consecutive days per calendar year for the same guest.
- It is offered on digital platforms (Airbnb, Abritel, Booking, etc.) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
      The main residence being rented out must have furniture, bathroom facilities (bathroom, toilet), bedding and a fully equipped kitchen.
      If the property is part of a co-ownership, you must check that its regulations do not prohibit this type of activity. Since 21 November 2024, the condominium rules must explicitly state whether or not the rental of furnished tourist accommodation is authorised or prohibited. Since that date, the owner must declare the rental to the local council and inform the property manager.

Saturday, 11 October 2025 :

Unpaid rent :

      Hauts-de-France has one of the highest claim frequencies, 3.97 times higher than the average. Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ranks fourth in the ranking of regions with the highest number of unpaid rents, with a loss frequency 1.3 times higher than the average, compared to 3.97 times for the Hauts-de-France region, which ranks first in the ranking.
      Although unpaid rent accounts for only 2 to 5% of rental contracts, landlords who suffer this loss can sometimes find themselves in dire straits.
      Several MPs, on the initiative of Corentin Le Fur (LR), have tabled a bill aimed at reducing the time allowed for tenants to settle their debts from the current six months to three months. The judge will have a maximum of thirty days to rule on the matter. The State, for its part, will have to rule on a request for assistance from the police within one month.

Vendredi 10 octobre 2025 :

Optical fibre :

      Fibre optics are gradually replacing the copper network on which the traditional telephone network and DS internet services are based.
      Since 29 September, a new subsidy has been available to finance fibre optic connection work carried out on private property and not covered by the operator. The operator only covers the connection to the home.
      This subsidy does not apply to all municipalities. In Grimaud, there are no plans to discontinue copper network services yet. However, this is expected to happen by 2030.

Thursday, 9 October 2025 :

Operationall :

      150 connections in two hours blocked the Anah (National Housing Agency) website at the beginning of the month. However, the site has been operational again since Tuesday 7 October, with an automatic queue system put in place to avoid error messages.

Wednesday, 8 October 2025 :

Combating energy performance certificate fraud :

      From 1 October 2025, in order to combat fraud in energy performance certificates and public subsidies, each assessor will be limited to a maximum of 1,000 energy performance certificates per year. If they exceed this threshold, they will have to provide valid justification for doing so or risk being suspended.
      Collective EPCs and those generated automatically from a building diagnosis are not included in this calculation.
      Each professional will be assigned a QR code linked to Ademe, which they must present during their work.
      A second QR code will provide access to a website dedicated to the EPC, the results of which will only be available after official registration.

Tuesday, 7 October 2025 :

VAT reduced to 5.5% :

      The decree of 8 September provides for a reduced VAT rate of 5.5% for solar installations with a photovoltaic capacity of less than 9 kWp, ‘subject to cumulative conditions to be met’.
      "We fully support the goal of making photovoltaics more sustainable and better integrated into the energy system. However, the criteria adopted, as they stand, are likely to restrict the benefits of a reduced VAT rate and therefore slow down the adoption of photovoltaics by households. The challenge is to make the energy transition both sustainable and accessible to all," comments Jonathan Martelli, co-founder of Ekwateur.

Monday, 6 October 2025 :

MyPrimeRénov’ :

      Victim of its own success, the monprojet.anah.gouv.f interface, which had just reopened on 30 September at 1 p.m. to receive MaPrimeRénov' aid applications, had to close again two days later.
      The National Housing Agency (Anah) cited a computer failure due to an influx of connections. 150,000 people logged on within two hours. Only a few hundred applications were able to be submitted. However, it hopes that the site will be up and running again later this week.

Samedi 4 octobre 2025 :

Renovating buildings :

      According to the Hellio Group, it would take 250 years to renovate the most energy-intensive buildings at the current rate. However, 80% of the homes we will have in 2050 already exist.
      This reality highlights the urgent need to begin a massive renovation of existing buildings today in order to meet the objectives set for the energy transition. On 18 September, the company brought together elected officials, experts and professionals for a conference at the National Assembly.
      The goal: to make the renovation of condominiums a ‘project of the century’. Six proposals have been put forward to simplify the process and raise awareness of financial assistance, which is often considered unstable by owners.
      "In France, nearly 23 million people live in condominiums. However, public policy remains too focused on individual housing," points out Pierre Maillard, Chairman of the Hellio Group.
      15% of condominium dwellings are classified as F or G.

Friday, 3 October 2025 :

Electricity consumption :

      More and more homeowners are trying to maximise their electricity consumption by combining solar panels with a battery, which also allows them to avoid power cuts and peaks in network consumption.
      They also improve the quality of their internet reception by installing an internal wired network for Wi-Fi using wall-mounted Ethernet sockets, which guarantee stable, maximum speed in every room.

Thursday, 2 October 2025 :

Simulator :

      An online simulator is available to calculate the exact amount of planning taxes payable when building or extending a property. It can be accessed on the tax website:

Wednesday, 1 October 2025 :

Cyber security :

      To settle the price and costs of a purchase, the solicitor's bank is always the Caisse des dépôts et consignations, whose BIC code is CDCGFRPPXXX.
      The solicitor always requests that their client's bank details be provided in person or, if this is not possible, will call them to avoid any scams or embezzlement.