How to reduce the running costs of a second home in France

Reader question: How can I reduce the running costs of a property I only use for part of the year?

One of the biggest outgoings is property taxes, with second homes being subject to both taxe d’habitation and taxe foncière.

For taxe foncière, total exemption is given to people aged 75 or above if their revenu fiscal de référence (RFR, annual household income shown on income tax notices) is below certain ‘modest’ levels.

In most cases, this applies to the main home of residents in France. However, there is nothing in the official rules stating that it cannot also apply to non-residents, or that an RFR be deemed low because a person’s worldwide income is not taken into account.

The threshold changes annually and increases proportionally depending on the number of ‘parts’ in the household. Those who receive certain French benefits are also exempt if their income is below the threshold.

Note that letting your second home when you do not use it could make you ineligible.

Reduce electricity bills at second home

To reduce electricity bills, you could sign up for an EDF Tempo contract. It has variable consumption costs, with 300 days in the year at a low bleu tariff, 43 days at a blanc tariff, and 22 days at a rouge tariff.

There is a 40% difference in cost between a bleu and rouge rate. The latter is applied mainly in winter. 

This makes it particularly beneficial for people who only visit their second homes in warmer months, although it may also apply on certain hot summer days when air conditioning pushes up electricity demand. 

Cheaper internet offers

Internet offers for second homes are a moveable feast. Orange recently stopped a specific offer, and replaced it with a €9/month discount for a second home internet-only package if you already have a contract with them.

Alternatively, if you do not see yourself using a computer all day and then watching TV by Wi-Fi all night, there are usually low-cost offers from major operators. Make sure it is not just for a limited period, after which prices could increase sharply.

Change your home insurance

With house insurance, shopping around each year can save money. Consumers can switch contracts for whatever reason at any point after the first year, and insurance providers themselves must do the work to close the client’s old account and get them set up with the new one.

Most people find it is cheapest to add their second home to the policy covering their main home.