Rent control extended in France

France's rent control policy, initially set to expire in November 2026, has been extended by the Senate's Economic Affairs Committee until November 2028. The policy applies to around 1.2 million tenants across nine territories, roughly 70 communes.

Extension does not expand the policy

The extension does not allow new local authorities to apply for the rent control, and those already involved may choose to exit the program. This contrasts with the National Assembly, which had supported the policy’s continuation and expansion in December 2025.

New deadlines for tenant rights

The bill passed in committee changes the time limits for tenants to assert their rights. Previously, tenants had three months to challenge a rent supplement but three years to request a reduction in base rent. These deadlines are now being aligned to one year.

Court highlights policy weaknesses

The Court of Auditors recently released a report criticizing the rent control policy for being complex and based on "fragile methodological foundations." The report noted the measure’s effects are "uncertain and difficult to measure" and proposed either a structural reform or abandoning the policy in favor of stricter rent increase rules.

Senators adopt partial recommendations

The senators have partially accepted the Court’s first recommendation—extending the experiment—but have not implemented the suggested structural reforms, such as improving data reliability or clarifying rent supplements. The Court also urged better tenant information and sanctions for non-compliance.

Supporters defend the policy

Supporters of rent control argue that ending it could worsen housing affordability in high-cost cities. Socialist deputy Iñaki Echaniz, who authored the bill, rejected claims that rent control causes housing shortages, citing declining rental supply in cities without the policy. Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire echoed this, warning that abolishing the policy could lead to "vertiginous rent increases."