Short-term rental in Montpellier: what changes in 2026
Renting your property to travellers remains one of the most profitable investments around Montpellier. But since the Le Meur law of 19 November 2024, the rules have tightened considerably. Here are the five points to know before renting out your property in 2026.
1. A mandatory registration number everywhere
Since 20 May 2026, every furnished holiday rental must be declared on the national portal and display its registration number on all its listings: Airbnb, Booking.com and Abritel, but also your own website. Renting without a number exposes you to a fine of up to €10,000, and a false declaration to up to €20,000.
2. Main residence: 90 nights a year maximum in Montpellier
The law sets the national cap at 120 nights a year for a main residence, but allows towns to lower it. This is the case in Montpellier: since 1 January 2026, you can only rent out your main residence for 90 nights a year, across all platforms. In Lattes, the cap remains 120 nights. Beyond that, the fine can reach €15,000. For everything you need to know about the new rules and the Écusson quota zone, read our article Quota zones in Montpellier: what changes in 2026.
3. Second home: the change-of-use authorisation
A second home rented out on a short-term basis is no longer considered an "ordinary" home. In the towns concerned, including Montpellier, you need to obtain a change-of-use authorisation, sometimes with a compensation requirement. Rules vary from one town to another: Lattes, Castelnau-le-Lez or Palavas-les-Flots do not necessarily apply the same ones as Montpellier.
4. Energy performance: the energy rating (DPE) comes into play
Holiday rentals subject to authorisation must now meet a minimum energy-performance level. The requirement is being tightened gradually, up to rating D in 2034. The mayor can ask for your energy performance certificate at any time. If your property has a poor rating, it is best to plan the work ahead.
5. Tax: being rated makes the difference
Since the 2025 tax year, the micro-BIC scheme is less favourable for unrated holiday rentals:
| Type of holiday rental | Income ceiling | Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Unrated furnished holiday rental | €15,000 | 30% |
| Rated furnished holiday rental (1 to 5 stars) | €77,700 | 50% |
Getting your property rated is therefore once again a real lever. Another change to be aware of: since the 2025 Finance Act, depreciation deducted under the real-expenses scheme is added back when calculating the capital gain on resale, for sales made from 15 February 2025. Talk to your accountant to choose the right scheme.
What we do for you
At CBC Home, we check your town's rules with you before any rental, we help you register and get your holiday rental rated, and we display your number on every listing. Want to know what your property could earn? Estimate your income in a few seconds or discover our Serenity pack.
Read also: How much does a villa with a pool near Montpellier earn?
General information article, up to date as of October 2026. Local rules change: always check with your town hall and your accountant.
