New law passed by the French Parliament and new local rules imposed by the city of Nice
The facts are stark: working people, young and old, and even retirees, are finding it extremely difficult to find a rental property in Nice. The situation has been critical for years. As a result, the city of Nice, under the impetus of its mayor Christian Estrosi, has announced that it will further tighten the regulation of Airbnb-type rentals.
The idea is simple: given the urgency of the situation, the local real estate market and long-term rental supply must be protected. The measures envisaged in Nice include, for example:
Quotas by neighborhood and zones reserved for principal residences in the next PLU (Plan Local d'Urbanisme).
Limitation of temporary permits to 5 years (currently 6).
Reduction of the rental period for principal residences to 90 days per year (instead of 120).
Severe fines of up to €20,000 for non-compliance.
Legal and administrative requirements: certificate of compliance with co-ownership regulations and strict adherence to DPE standards.
With over 13,000 furnished tourist accommodations in Nice by 2023, mainly in the city center, the city aims to stem the loss of local population and the shortage of conventional rental accommodation, particularly for small units (T1/T2). The aim is to protect local residents while curbing abusive investor practices, without completely banning seasonal rentals.
In addition, the French Parliament has passed a law that will further tighten the rules on furnished tourist rentals.
The Le Meur bill, passed on November 7, 2024, regulates short-term furnished rentals to combat overtourism and the rental housing crisis. Here are the main measures that will be implemented during 2025:
Diagnostic de performance énergétique (DPE): From 2025, new rental properties in high-tension areas must have a DPE of at least F (E in 2028). All furnished tourist accommodation must achieve a classification between A and D by 2034, on pain of a €5,000 fine.
Obligation to register: All rentals must be declared to the town hall, with tighter controls and a generalized registration number by May 2026. 10,000 fine for non-declaration.
Limited rental period: From 2025, mayors will be able to reduce the annual rental period for principal residences to 90 days (compared with 120 at present). A fine of €15,000 will be imposed if this limit is exceeded.
Prohibition in condominiums: A "habitation bourgeoise" clause could prohibit furnished rentals by a simple majority vote.
Furnished-rental quotas in PLUs: Communes with more than 20% second homes will be able to limit the number of furnished tourist accommodations or reserve certain sectors for primary residences.
These measures are designed to better regulate the rental market and protect access to housing.
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