Property

France — Property: Rental Market

Paris has operated rent control (encadrement des loyers) since 2019: a local rent observatory publishes a reference rent per m² for each neighborhood, building age, and room count, and landlords cannot charge more than 20% above that reference except via a rarely-valid documented 'complément de loyer' premium. This experimental mechanism was extended by three years under Article 85 of the 2022 '3DS law' and is set to expire on 23 November 2026, with permanent adoption still pending as of 2026. Studies show rent control has moderated Paris rent increases by an average of -5.2%, with the effect strengthening over time (-2.5% in 2019-2020, -5.9% in 2022-2023, -8.2% in 2023-2024).

Notaires de France / French rent control law (loi 3DS, 2022-217) · Last verified 2026-07-20

Key Facts

  • Paris rent control caps rent at 20% above a published neighborhood/building-type reference rent, in effect since 2019.
  • The 'complément de loyer' premium exception is rarely legally valid — it requires a documented unusual feature.
  • Current rent control mechanism expires 23 November 2026 unless extended or made permanent by then.
  • Effect on rent growth has strengthened over time: -2.5% (2019-2020) to -8.2% (2023-2024) moderation vs. uncontrolled trend.

Timelines

  • Current rent control mechanism expiry: 23 November 2026 (pending permanent adoption)

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming Paris rent control is permanent law — it remains an experimental mechanism set to expire in November 2026 absent further action.
  • Landlords assuming a 'complément de loyer' premium is easy to justify — in practice it is rarely upheld as valid.

Related Topics

cost-of-livingbuying-process
← Back to France guides