On 1 January this year, the French government passed a law that says that non-environmentally friendly homes can no longer be listed on the long-term rental market in France. 

France’s Loi climat et résilience includes a section regarding the criteria needing to be fulfilled for accommodation to be classed as ‘decent’. In 2023, a property will only be classed as decent in terms of energy usage if it uses less than 450 kWh/sqm per year. Properties using more than this can no longer be put on the long-term rental market. 

Meanwhile, new rules regarding informing new buyers or tenants about a property have also been introduced. It is now mandatory to inform prospective buyers or tenants about the risks associated with the property on their first visit, and not as the sale or rental contract is finalised. 

The list of risks will now also include information on receding coastlines and how they may affect the house or flat. Sellers or landlords will also be required to provide an information document on soil pollution at the property site.

Lastly, regulated gas and electricity tariffs were capped throughout 2022 by a government shield, known as the bouclier tarifaire price cap. Under this regulation, gas prices were frozen and electricity tariffs capped at a 4% annual rise in autumn 2021. However, this price cap rise has now been increased to 15% for both. This will apply to regulated gas prices in January and regulated electricity prices in February.