Practical property

Close-up of a chrome kitchen faucet with a single drop of water falling.

Is France heading for a severe drought this summer?

‘This is the first time in 33 years that we’ve had to start releasing water this early in the season’

A view of an empty, unfurnished property

France to merge vacant home taxes from 2027

Two taxes levied on vacant homes to be replaced by a single tax

Replacing water filter in French home became a two-month DIY nightmare

Columnist Nick Inman tells of his ordeal changing a dedicated filtered drinking water tap

practical

France set to end funding for most single-project renovations under MaPrimeRénov’

‘A responsible choice’ to focus funds on more comprehensive projects is planned

See what €50,000, €250,000 and over €1m buys in Tarn

The rural department is relatively expensive despite its low population

Check this before buying French property in a flood zone

One in four people – some 18 million – now live in an area at risk of flooding

Illustration of a market stall with fruit displays, shoppers, and signs reading citrus and oranges.

How usufruit works in France: inheritance, property and tax benefits explained

The concept can protect a spouse and reduce inheritance tax

How to compare and switch home insurance in France

You can change your provider after the first 12 months

Map: 79 French departments now on water restriction rules or alerts

Central departments already at highest restriction level

French property law: who pays for and maintains boundary fences?

Different rules apply to owners and tenants

Electric vehicle leasing, gas bill rises: what changes in France in July 2026

Card payments are also set to begin on Parisian public transport

A view of a beautiful old house in Brittany, France

French tax authorities now have more time to update incorrect second home tax bills

Deadline for officials to levy taxes missed due to calculation errors or owner omissions has been extended

Can I cut down tree in my French garden without permission?

Hundreds of trees have protected status in France

Homeowners must prove they took steps to stop drought cracking, French court rules

Landmark ruling in €40,000 compensation case may embolden insurance companies to deny claims

Residents of village in south-west France told to evacuate due to cracks in homes

Landslides risk tearing down most properties

A view of a private swimming pool at a home

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

Young man with arm cast in sling sitting in a wheelchair indoors

What to do if someone is injured on your property in France

Costs of such an accident can quickly accumulate

Worker using a power drill to demolish an interior wall seen through a hole

Renovating a house in France: the key mistakes to avoid

British architect based in France shares his tips for restoring homes

Map: Which departments paid the most property tax in 2025?

Average increase of 2.4% but wide variation in total cost

Buyer disappears after signing property deal in France - should estate agents be liable?

Buyer paid a €10,000 deposit before vanishing

Most homeowners in France to be spared property declaration fine

Authorities instead target ‘large property owners’ of more than 200 units

Electricity bills: homes to be selected in France to trial new tariffs

New off-peak hours based on renewable consumption may lead to cheaper bills

Crackdown on undeclared second homes in south-west France

Owners who falsely declare properties as main homes risk fines and backdated tax payments

A view of a rubbish truck collecting waste in France

As renters, do we have to pay the local rubbish collection tax in France?

Two main types of bin tax exist in France

Bag with pellets and firewood in the living room

French consumer group launches bulk-buy wood pellet scheme

Scheme looks to bring down cost of pellets via bulk buying

Rises of +9.9%, drops of -5.6%: see how French flat prices have changed near you

Majority of cities recording price increases as property slump ends

Most French cities see house prices rise: latest notaire data

Tours (8%) and Metz (6%) see highest rises Oct-Dec 2024 - 2025 whilst south-east remains most expensive region outside of Paris

Property owners in France reminded of June ‘property-use’ deadline

Updates must be filed via the biens immobiliers system or fines may apply

Water restrictions begin in south-west France: who is affected?

Residents can check restrictions near them using government website

France to end eco-renovation funding for homes with a gas boiler

Properties must not have gas boiler by end of works to access grant scheme

France chases ‘one million annual heat pump’ goal, but is it feasible?

Sector leaders cite need for more aid and say ‘leasing scheme’ may be limited in effect

French tax authorities expand AI checks for undeclared property expansions

Verandas, pagodas, and sheds targeted in new €100 million campaign

Selling a home in France: what should I tell the utility companies?

The transfer of utilities is a separate task from the notarial sale process

How do landlords register an Airbnb let with French commune?

New system requires all mairies to give tourist rentals a number

French ‘swimming pool’ tax falls for first time in nearly a decade

New pool installations must be correctly declared

Air heat pump in a garden by a modern house

France’s heat pump leasing plan explained

Homeowners will pay back installation costs over three years, with payments cheaper than current bills

Five questions about plans to raise French property tax on millions of homes

Mairies will be able to assume that homes contain basic features omitted from official information, raising taxes

EDF to provide €240m in grants to help home-owners and firms switch to electric

Money will be available for installing heat pumps and buying electric vehicles

Who can benefit from new €1,000 grant for a heat pump in France?

First-come-first-served basis for 80,000 grants to boost switch to electric

When do you really need to clean your roof in France?

Columnist Nick Inman is in two minds about this particular job

Gas prices in France set to shoot up: Tips to reduce costs

A 15% rise is already expected from May 1, 2026

What are the recycling rules in France?

We are all encouraged to go greener, but making sense of what can and cannot be recycled is not always obvious. We cover what objects can and cannot go in yellow French recycling bins

How do I get an evaluation for inherited property in France?

It is important to get a fair and accurate valuation at the date of death

More homes in south of France must clear undergrowth or face fine

Homeowners reminded of obligatory land clearance rules prior to forest fire season

Farmers' hedge-trimming deadlines extended in France after winter rainfall

Homeowners are recommended – in most cases – not to trim hedges on their land between March 15 - August 15

Attractive,Handy,Man,Using,A,Drill,To,Put,Up,Pictures

How to find a handyman online in France

Two thirds of people polled in online survey say it is difficult to find a tradesperson - leaving many odd jobs undone

French gas prices: should you switch to a fixed deal before May rise?

Bills may increase by €200 per year due to increase in global gas prices

A view of someone looking at paperwork with a calculator and house model in the foreground

French residential tax debits have not been taken - what should I do?

Many opt for monthly payments from January to October

Chimney sweeping rules in France: Can you do this yourself - and how often is required by law?

Insurance companies have their own requirements

Image of a piggy bank next to a water tap to show the cost of water

Water bills rise by up to 40% in parts of Normandy

It follows the installation of remotely-read meters to homes around Caen in Calvados. Authorities claim previous readings were incorrect

New rules to define heat pumps eligible for energy grants in France

List set to be published in September 2026 as bodies call for more available aid

Why almost a million French households risk higher electricity bill in March

EDF must implement ‘red day’ tariffs before end of month

Unpaid bills led to a million electricity and gas ‘cut-offs’ in France in 2025

The number of accounts affected has risen by 79% since 2019

Is there a ‘bedroom tax’ in France for additional rooms?

The surface area of rooms is used to calculate property taxes

What changes for residents in France in March 2026

Major changes for drivers, hospital patients, and property owners

A view of houses on piles of coins to show increasing costs

How much is second home insurance in France?

There is no legal obligation to insure a second home if it is a fully independent property

Group,Of,Chickens,On,A,Farm,Yard,Chicken,Eco,Farm

Can I install chicken coop for my own eggs during shortage?

Coops are subject to taxes if over a certain size

What do you risk if you hire someone for work on your home and pay cash-in-hand?

Undisclosed payments cost French economy billions each year

294 French communes classified as natural disaster zones following flooding

Homeowners - including second homes - now have 30 days to make a catastrophe naturelle claim

France’s home renovations grants relaunch: key points to know

MaPrimeRénov’ is once again available to households of all income levels

Did you know? These plants are forbidden in French gardens

Invasive species cannot be sold, planted, or exchanged

Person wearing blue surgical gloves about to open a septic tank cover

What are penalties for not conforming with new septic tank requirement?

Financial aid is available for homeowners needing to install new tanks

A view of someone opening a house door with a key

Are second homes in France a good investment?

Investment picture is variable depending on geographical location

Why storms in France have indirectly caused carbon monoxide poisoning

We cover tips and rules for detectors

Big,Bed,In,A,Small,Bedroom,,Clean,,Comfortable,And,Affordable

Can you offer rentals in France when staying on visitor visa?

There are different thresholds for rentals before they are deemed as ‘professional income’

Must all properties in France have a ‘smart’ thermostat?

Modern thermostats can automatically set temperatures even when residents are away

Repayable-on-death equity release loans open again to non-EU retirees

Products have recently started being offered by bank group again after it paused them in 2019

Danger,Asbestos,Removal,In,Progress,Warning,Signboard,-,Concept,With

How to deal with asbestos in France

As the material ages, it degrades - becoming more likely to release harmful fibres

A view of a fence in France saying ‘A vendre (for sale)’

What the seller of a house in France must leave or remove

There are regulations in place for certain items, others can be subject to agreement

A view of a woman plugging in an electric car

Can I charge electric vehicle when parked outside my home?

Rules on parking can also affect those looking to charge electric vehicles

Water-use restrictions lifted for some households in the Pyrénées-Orientales

Rainfall replenishes reservoirs but bans still remain in northern areas

Poor-quality fibre internet installations remain an issue in France

Stricter measures are announced to improve connection quality

Professional,Notary,Helping,Couple,With,Paperwork,In,Office

Is buying or renting property better in France?

Large variations in the respective costs exist between different regions

France’s ‘garden shed’ tax rates fall for first time in nine years: 2026 rates

Tax is paid on a per m² basis for many property improvements, with fixed values in place for some installations

How can I protect my second home in France from mice while I am away?

Pests can enter homes at any period