Seasonal rentals and AirBnB: stricter regulations regarding the diagnostics to be provided

A stricter framework for AirBnB rentals and other tourist rentals

With the increase in seasonal rentals, particularly thanks to platforms such as AirBnB, the property market landscape is undergoing a major transformation. Faced with the popularity of furnished tourist lettings, laws and regulations are being strengthened to regulate and govern these practices. As a result, the legal obligations regarding diagnostics for short-term rentals are becoming clearer and aim above all to protect temporary tenants.

Seasonal rentals are indeed subject to specific obligations, since this practice differs from year-round rentals. The Climat et Resilience laws are changing the property diagnostics that are mandatory and recommended for AirBnB lettings.

Which diagnostics are mandatory for seasonal rentals or AirBnB rentals?

The owner of a property intended for short-term rental must provide technical and property diagnostics attesting to the energy performance, safety and healthiness of the property, in order to guarantee transparency towards temporary tenants.

As soon as the property is rented out for more than 4 months a year, the owner is required to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and to mention it in the seasonal rental advertisement.

Here is the list of mandatory diagnostics for a short-term rental: the energy performance certificate (EPC), the risks and pollution statement (ERP), and the lead exposure risk assessment (CREP). It is nevertheless advisable to carry out asbestos diagnostics for properties built before 1997 and gas and electricity diagnostics for installations more than 15 years old.

The importance of compliance for short-term rentals, and the penalties incurred

These regulations aim to balance the property market between year-round rentals and short-term rentals. Thus, in 2025, the energy efficiency regulations for AirBnB lettings have evolved and properties rated F or G can no longer be used as furnished tourist lettings in high-demand areas.

In order to remain compliant, owners must therefore ensure a sufficient EPC to put their property up for rent. If this is not respected, they face several types of penalties such as administrative fines, possible disputes with tenants, or the removal or suspension of listings on the various rental platforms.

How to explain this stricter framework for seasonal rentals

To give you some figures, it is worth knowing that in 2024, Normandy recorded nearly 93,000 seasonal rental listings across all peer-to-peer rental platforms (AirBnB, Booking, HomeAway), representing a 13.2% increase compared to 2023. It has been growing steadily since 2020. (Sources: Observatoire Mutualise du Locatif, France Tourisme, Observation, Normandie Tourisme)

On the AirBnB platform, Normandy offered around 40,000 seasonal rental properties, compared with 30,830 in 2023, an increase of nearly 30%.

In the Calvados area more specifically, there were 15,461 rentals listed on the platform, including 1,100 in Caen, an increase of 21% compared with the previous year, and 896 AirBnB rentals in Deauville. (Sources: Collectif national des Habitants Permanents (CNHP))

With the popularity that platforms such as AirBnB have shown in recent years, the rental landscape has changed considerably. The rise of seasonal rentals has led to a tightening of the regulations concerning them, particularly regarding the diagnostics that owners must provide.

In 2025, all properties offered as furnished tourist lettings in high-demand areas will have to demonstrate an energy performance certificate rated at least F, and rated at least E from 2028.

At present, Caen and its surrounding area (Bretteville-sur-Odon, Carpiquet, Demouville, Giberville, Rots, Bieville-Beuville, Colombelles, Mondeville and Verson, for example) are classified as high-demand areas. Do not hesitate to check each year the classification of certain towns in categories A, A bis, B1, B2 and C, ranging from the most high-demand to the most flexible area.

It should also be noted that some municipalities have introduced local rules, requiring, for example, a declaration of use of the property in order to register a seasonal rental. Municipalities can thus monitor and penalise abuses. Check with your town hall!

The laws and regulations in force thus make it possible to combat the shortage of year-round rental housing, to ensure the safety of temporary tenants and to guarantee energy transparency for all players in the property sector.

Which documents must be provided when putting a property up for seasonal rental?

To offer a property for rent via AirBnB, it is important to make available to temporary tenants:

• The technical diagnostics file (DDT),
• An up-to-date energy performance certificate (EPC) rated at least F,
• A risks and pollution statement (ERP) less than 6 months old,
• A certificate of insurance,
• A property authorisation in the event of specific regulations,

You can, for example, mention the EPC results in the advertisement, or simply state that these documents are available and attest to the property’s compliance.

Changes in the law concerning short-term rentals such as AirBnB

In less than 10 years, from 2034, all furnished tourist lettings will have to be rated between A and D for energy. The aim is thus to regulate the property market for year-round and seasonal rentals, to protect tenants and all property stakeholders, but also to reduce the possibility of renting out energy sieves.

To bring your property into compliance and to allow energy transparency, it is essential to have the various diagnostics carried out. Owners, aim for compliance!

Contact our diagnostics experts for your seasonal rental; we will know how to support you as best we can!

Would you like to put your property up for short-term rental via a platform such as AirBnB? Make sure you comply with the current regulations and have your various technical diagnostics carried out.

Our certified diagnosticians support you in carrying out your mandatory rental diagnostics, with responsiveness and professionalism.

Get in touch with us today on 02 31 15 64 88 or via the form we have made available on the website. We will offer you a free quote and a rapid intervention so that you can put your property up for seasonal rental quickly.