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The little-known document that can derail a property sale in France
French property law requires certain risk information to be disclosed before a sale is completed
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Map: Which departments paid the most property tax in 2025?
Average increase of 2.4% but wide variation in total cost
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Buyer disappears after signing property deal in France - should estate agents be liable?
Buyer paid a €10,000 deposit before vanishing
Will I be charged taxe foncière on my empty French home?
Certain taxes are not charged on empty homes, however in some circumstances exceptions exist
Reader Question My second home (in France) is being renovated and has been empty of furniture since March 2021. I live in the UK. Should I be exempt from property taxes?
Taxe foncière is generally payable whether a property is furnished/used or not, and is payable on all homes in France, regardless of if they are main or second homes.
Taxe d’habitation however is generally not payable on property that is unfurnished and unused on January 1 of the tax year, so you could claim repayment for the 2022 tax year.
The main issue might be supplying proof, if it is requested by the tax authorities.
Some vacant homes are still taxed
In some cases, however, a type of taxe d’habitation is payable, even for unfurnished homes.
This is payable if your commune voted for it to be levied on vacant properties – however this only applies to homes vacant for more than two years as of the relevant January 1.
Communes deemed subject to housing pressure have a separate ‘vacant homes tax’, which applies to homes vacant for at least one year.
You can read our article below to learn more about these additional levies.
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Hundreds more areas in France to levy ‘vacant home’ tax: what is this?
