-
Row as French house on sale for five times more than buyer paid in 2018
Locals want to stop purchase by an American saying property speculation means they can no longer afford to buy
-
Water damage to homes: Which areas of France suffer most?
We also look at the recommended steps to take to protect your property
-
Solar panels in France for €1 with grants: is this still possible?
Companies may offer panels at cheap prices, with grants and production buy-backs allegedly making up the difference
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.
Related articles
Hundreds more areas in France to levy ‘vacant home’ tax: what is this?
Taxe foncière explainer: Who pays and the exemptions
Explainer: France’s taxe d’habitation property tax