Senate extends rent regulation in Montpellier

The Senate voted on October 21, 2026, to extend a rent regulation experiment in Montpellier for two more years. The measure, which was set to expire on November 23, 2026, now has a temporary extension, pending approval by the National Assembly.

Deputies must approve the extension

The National Assembly, or deputies, still needs to approve the extended regulation by November 23. If they do not, the regulation will end, and new rental contracts in Montpellier could face different rules. The Senate had initially supported a limited extension, while deputies had favored making the regulation permanent.

Regulation sets limits on base rent

The regulation sets a maximum base rent for private housing in Montpellier, excluding additional charges. This ceiling depends on factors like the number of rooms, construction date, and whether the property is furnished. Each year, the prefecture updates the reference rent based on local market conditions.

Montpellier is the only affected area

Currently, only Montpellier is covered by the regulation within the metropolitan area. This choice was made due to the city's high demand for rental housing, which accounts for 64 percent of the private rental stock in the region. Neighboring communes are not automatically included in the same rules.

Deputies and senators disagree on scope

The Senate’s vote on October 21 changed a previous bill proposed by deputies, who wanted the regulation to be permanent and to expand it to other communes. Instead, senators chose a two-year extension without expanding the geographical area. The final version of the bill must now be approved by deputies before the regulation’s deadline.

Tenants and landlords must follow current rules

For now, tenants and landlords in Montpellier must follow the current rent rules for any new contracts signed after the regulation’s extension. Existing contracts are still governed by their own terms, including how rent can be adjusted during the lease. The outcome of the upcoming legislative process will determine whether the regulation continues beyond November 23.