The French government is preparing to introduce a new housing law aimed at revitalizing the country’s struggling rental market, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announcing the initiative during a visit to Marseille on April 23, 2026. The proposed legislation seeks to address a deepening housing crisis by allowing the rental of energy-inefficient properties—commonly referred to as “passoires thermiques”—under specific conditions, a move intended to increase housing supply without compromising long-term energy goals.
According to Lecornu, the bill will be presented to parliament for its first reading in the summer of 2026, following months of stalled negotiations and rising public concern over unaffordable rents and limited availability. The measure forms part of a broader strategy that includes simplifying administrative procedures, decentralizing housing policy and reducing bureaucratic barriers that have slowed renovation efforts in France’s aging housing stock.
Central to the proposal is a temporary allowance for landlords to re-let properties rated F or G on the national energy performance scale—categories representing the least efficient homes—provided they commit to completing energy improvement works within a defined timeframe. Owners of standalone houses would have three years to carry out renovations, while those managing apartments in co-ownership buildings would be granted five years to meet the requirements.
Vincent Jeanbrun, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, emphasized that the initiative could return between 650,000 and 700,000 vacant units to the rental market by 2028, many of which have remained unoccupied due to their poor energy ratings. This estimate was reiterated in parallel announcements by Jeanbrun, who confirmed the government’s focus on reactivating underutilized housing stock classified as F and G.
The policy reflects a pragmatic response to mounting pressure on urban housing markets, where high interest rates and construction delays have exacerbated shortages. By permitting limited use of inefficient dwellings while mandating future upgrades, the government aims to balance immediate housing needs with France’s national objectives to reduce carbon emissions from the building sector.
While the measure has drawn attention for its potential to ease rental pressures, it also raises questions about enforcement mechanisms and tenant protections. Officials have not yet detailed how compliance with renovation timelines will be monitored or what penalties may apply for non-compliance, though Jeanbrun indicated that safeguards would be integrated into the final legislative text.
The announcement aligns with recent statements from Lecornu positioning housing reform as a national urgency, particularly in the aftermath of prolonged budget deliberations that delayed earlier reform efforts. By framing the bill as a concrete step toward resolving what he described as a “national emergency,” the Prime Minister seeks to build parliamentary consensus ahead of the summer legislative session.
As France continues to grapple with structural challenges in housing affordability and availability, the proposed law represents a significant shift in policy approach—prioritizing market reactivation through conditional flexibility rather than relying solely on new construction or outright bans on inefficient properties. Its success will depend on clear implementation guidelines, adequate support for renovation financing, and sustained coordination between state and local authorities.
Officials have confirmed that further details of the bill will be released ahead of its formal submission to parliament, with updates expected from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal in the coming weeks. Stakeholders including landlord associations, tenant advocacy groups, and local governments are anticipated to provide feedback during the legislative review process.
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