Tourist Rental Rules, Rent Caps and Bordeaux Wildfires: News Digest

Property and consumer updates lead the France headlines this week, with new reminders for furnished tourist rental owners, rent increase controls extended in zones tendues, and an online tool allowing property owners to compare local tax rates by commune. There are also incoming changes to commercial cold-calling regulations, an extended deadline for the €100 fuel aid scheme, a mobile coverage tool for residents and second-home owners, and a serious wildfire situation in Gironde, west of Bordeaux.

Tourist rental owners reminded of 2026 rule changes

Owners renting out furnished tourist accommodation in France are being reminded that the rules have changed in 2026. Since the 20th of May, declaration of meublés de tourisme has been compulsory in all communes, not only in certain zones tendues. Owners must register the property through the relevant online service and include the registration number in listings and bookings.

The tax rules have also changed. For income received in 2025 and declared in 2026, the micro-BIC turnover threshold is €15,000 for unclassified meublés de tourisme and €77,700 for classified properties. For income received in 2026 and declared in 2027, the threshold for classified properties rises to €83,600, while unclassified lets remain at €15,000.

Rent increase controls extended in tense areas

France has extended the rules limiting rent increases in communes classed as zones tendues. The measure will now run from the 1st of August 2026 to the 31st of July 2027 and applies to certain empty and furnished residential lets when a property is re-let or a lease is renewed.

Landlords in affected areas cannot freely increase the rent except in specific cases, such as where certain works have been carried out. Separate rent-level controls also continue in some cities, including Paris, Bordeaux and Montpellier, where annual reference rents apply.

Property owners can compare local tax rates by commune

A DGFiP online tool now allows users to check and compare local property tax rates across French communes. The platform includes rates for taxe foncière on built and non-built property, taxe d’enlèvement des ordures ménagères, taxe d’habitation on second homes, and tax on vacant homes.

This is useful for property owners, buyers and second-home owners who want to compare the tax situation in one commune with nearby areas. The tool also shows departmental and regional averages, helping users put local rates into context.

Bordeaux wildfires prompt evacuations in Gironde

A major wildfire in Gironde, west of Bordeaux, has prompted evacuations around the Bassin d’Arcachon and Cap-Ferret area, with homes destroyed and road access affected. Feux de Forêt reported that more than 8,700 hectares had been affected by the 24th of July, with the evacuation of the Cap-Ferret peninsula ordered as the fire advanced towards the Bassin d’Arcachon.

Residents, second-home owners and holidaymakers in the area should follow prefecture and mairie instructions, avoid travelling into affected zones, and check transport and road updates before setting off. For live updates, fire maps and prevention advice, readers can use Feux de Forêt, which provides a real-time wildfire map, departmental updates and guidance on reporting a fire after calling 18.

Commercial cold-calling to be banned by default

From the 11th of August 2026, commercial cold-calling (démarchage téléphonique) will be banned by default in France, except in limited cases. A business will only be able to call for sales purposes if the call relates to an existing contract, or if the consumer has clearly agreed in advance to be contacted.

Consumers will also be able to withdraw consent at any time. Contracts signed after cold-calling that does not respect the new rules will not be valid, and the Bloctel opt-out service will end once cold-calling becomes prohibited by default.

€100 fuel aid deadline extended

The application window for France’s €100 fuel aid for high-mileage workers has been extended. The guichet was originally due to close on the 30th of July, but eligible workers can now apply until the 31st of August 2026.

The aid is intended for people who use a petrol, diesel or non-plug-in hybrid vehicle for work and meet income and mileage conditions. Applicants must either travel at least 15km each way between home and work, or cover at least 8,000km per year for professional purposes, including commuting.

Prépa-seconde made permanent from September

The classe prépa-seconde, introduced experimentally in 2024, will become a permanent part of the French education system from the 2026 rentrée. The year is aimed at pupils admitted into seconde who would benefit from extra consolidation before moving fully into lycée study.

The scheme is no longer limited only to pupils who did not pass the brevet. Pupils must be admitted to seconde, identified by their teaching team as likely to benefit from the programme, and willing to take part.

Mobile coverage tool helps compare operators

Residents, second-home owners and travellers can use Arcep’s Mon réseau mobile platform to compare mobile network coverage and service quality in a specific location. Users can search by address, transport route or road axis to compare the main operators.

The tool shows both theoretical coverage and measured quality, including calls, SMS, internet browsing and video streaming. It can be useful before changing mobile provider, buying in a rural area or checking coverage at a holiday home.

Income tax correction service opens tomorrow

Taxpayers who spot an error in their 2026 income tax declaration will be able to use the online correction service from the 29th of July. The service allows online filers to amend details declared earlier in the year for 2025 income. A new tax notice will be issued after the corrected declaration is processed, and the household’s prélèvement à la source rate may be recalculated. Paper filers cannot use the online correction service and must contact the tax office through the usual channels.

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