Renting Out Your Mountain Property in 2026: EPC, Rules and Profitability
In 2026, renting out a property in a French mountain resort (La Plagne, Les Arcs, Méribel, Megève, L’Alpe d’Huez, Valmorel, etc.) requires a more structured approach than before.
Three topics now overlap constantly: compliance (especially energy decency standards), the framework for short-term holiday lets and taxation.
The goal is simple: keep renting with reduced legal risk while protecting your profitability.
Table of contents
- 1. Key rules to know in 2026
- 2. EPC (DPE) and energy decency: what truly blocks a rental
- 3. Rent freeze rules: impact on your net income
- 4. Short-term holiday lets: what changed and why it matters in resorts
- 5. Tax: micro-BIC vs real regime (decision logic)
- 6. Managing profitability: a simple, effective method
- 7. GSI resorts covered
- FAQ
- Official sources
1) Key rules to know in 2026
Owners often remember slogans (“ban”, “energy sieve”, “new law”), but the operational reality is more concrete:
if the property does not meet decency standards (including energy performance), the rental becomes legally fragile.
- Energy decency: a G-rated property is considered non-decent since 1 January 2025.
- Rent freeze: for F- and G-rated properties, several rent increase scenarios are restricted until energy performance is improved.
- Short-term holiday lets: the regulatory framework was strengthened by the 19 November 2024 law (declaration/registration, local levers, condominium rules, etc.).
In mountain resorts, the impact is strong: much of the housing stock is older, heating is used heavily in winter, and condominium constraints can limit certain works.
At this stage, the key question is not “what are the rules?” but rather:
“Is my property rentable in 2026 in my local context (municipality, condominium, rental type), and at what level of risk?”
To move forward quickly, GSI offers two pathways depending on your situation:
2) EPC (DPE) and energy decency: what truly blocks a rental
The EPC (DPE) is no longer just a “paperwork” document: it affects energy decency compliance.
In the mountains, the most frequent risk points are:
- Insulation (walls, roof/attic, ground floors) and thermal bridges
- Windows/doors and air tightness
- Heating systems (old, poorly sized, hard to control)
- Ventilation (humidity, comfort, deterioration risks)
The right approach is to focus on “useful works”: improvements that genuinely raise performance and comfort without destroying profitability.
In resorts, it must also fit your usage pattern: seasonal, mixed, primary residence, etc.
3) Rent freeze rules: impact on your net income
When a property is rated F or G, some rent increase scenarios are restricted until the property’s performance is improved.
The business impact is immediate: if costs rise (condominium fees, energy, maintenance), your net income can mechanically decline.
A practical question to ask is: how much does the freeze cost you over 2–3 seasons, and what realistic improvement plan helps you regain margin?
4) Short-term holiday lets: what changed and why it matters in resorts
Short-term holiday lets sit at the center of local balances in mountain areas: seasonal economy, pressure on permanent housing, municipal decisions, condominium rules.
The 19 November 2024 law strengthened the regulation framework (declaration/registration, local authority tools, condominium provisions, etc.).
In practice, two owners in two different resorts may face different requirements.
Before optimizing tax or listings, confirm your local framework: municipality + condominium + rental type.
5) Tax: micro-BIC vs real regime (decision logic)
In resorts, taxation should serve the strategy: protect your net income, absorb costs, and keep options open if renovation becomes necessary.
The choice between micro-BIC and the real regime depends mainly on expenses and depreciation.
When the real regime is often relevant
- High ongoing costs (condominium fees, management, concierge services, insurance, mortgage interest, maintenance)
- Planned works (including energy renovations) and the need for precise tracking
- A desire to monitor a realistic net income, season by season
Micro-BIC can still fit simpler cases, but rules have evolved in recent years for some short-term holiday rentals.
The key is to avoid a “default” choice and decide based on your profile.
6) Managing profitability: a simple, effective method
Resort profitability is not managed only through “price per week”.
What matters is your annual net income:
Net income = rental revenue − operating costs − non-recoverable condominium costs − tax − maintenance/works provision
The 3 levers that truly move the needle
- Compliance: avoid forced vacancy (energy decency standards, local rules).
- Tax optimization: choose the regime that matches your expense/works profile.
- Commercial performance: occupancy, pricing, calendar, quality, reviews, responsiveness.
To move faster, you can direct owners to the right offer page at key decision moments (after EPC compliance, after tax section, before the conclusion):
7) GSI resorts covered
- Auris-en-Oisans
- Combloux
- Crest-Voland
- Flumet
- Le Grand-Bornand
- L’Alpe d’Huez
- Les Arcs
- La Plagne
- La Plagne – Les Coches
- Les Saisies
- Megève
- Méribel
- Méribel Mottaret
- Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe
- Peisey-Vallandry
- Praz-sur-Arly
- Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
- Valmorel
FAQ
Can you still rent out a G-rated property in 2026?
The issue is handled through the energy decency standard: a G-rated property is considered non-decent since 1 January 2025.
Before renting, it is recommended to verify your situation and plan an improvement path.
Does the rent freeze apply in ski resorts?
Yes. The freeze is not “geographical”: it depends on the property’s energy rating and the rental scenarios covered by the rules.
If your property is F or G, it can affect indexation and therefore your net income.
Did the 19 November 2024 law change anything for short-term holiday lets?
Yes: it strengthens regulation tools (declaration/registration, local authority levers, condominium rules, etc.).
Practical requirements vary depending on the municipality and local framework.
Micro-BIC or real regime: which is best?
The real regime is often attractive when you have significant expenses, works and depreciation.
Micro-BIC can fit simpler cases. The best choice depends on your profile and rental type.
Conclusion
In 2026, renting in mountain resorts is still possible, but the strategy needs to be more professional:
compliance (EPC/energy decency), short-term holiday let rules and taxation directly determine profitability.
Owners who anticipate keep control; those who wait often face lower net income or forced vacancy.
If your goal is to secure your rental and optimize your net income, here are the two pathways offered by GSI:
Official sources
- French Ministry for Ecological Transition: rent freeze for F/G “energy sieve” homes
- Légifrance: Law of 19 November 2024 strengthening regulation tools for short-term holiday lets
- Public resources on energy decency standards and the EPC (DPE): principles and key dates
Note: this article is informational and does not replace tailored legal or tax advice.
