Furnished Tourist Rental Classification: Everything You Need to Know!
Did you know that you can request the classification of your furnished tourist rental? This classification is not reserved for hotels: vacation rentals can also be labeled.
This classification of furnished tourist rentals will be a real advantage for seasonal rentals and will also allow you to benefit from tax advantages.
Classification of a Vacation Rental, What Is It?
The classification of seasonal rentals, known as furnished tourist accommodations, involves evaluating the comfort level and services provided by the property.
Furnished tourist rentals are houses or apartments rented on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to temporary occupants who use them for leisure purposes without making them their permanent residence.
These properties must meet minimum comfort requirements defined by law. For example, a one-room furnished rental intended for 1 or 2 people must have a minimum area of 9m² if the kitchen is separate (or 12m² if the kitchenette is part of the room).
This classification ranges from 1 to 5 stars and is valid for a period of 5 years. The cost of the process is around €150, depending on the type of property and its size. The star rating is determined based on a scale defined for 3 main categories:
- equipment
- services offered
- best practices related to environmental respect and accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
It is very rare for a classification not to be granted.
Get Your Furnished Tourist Rental Classified: Tax Advantages
Getting your furnished tourist rental classified will allow you to display the comfort and services level of your property. It is a voluntary process and not mandatory, but as one of our clients pointed out, the key reason for getting their property classified was the tax deductions. A classified property benefits from a 71% tax allowance, compared to 50% for non-classified properties.
In addition to the tax advantages, there are other significant benefits to having your property classified:
- It will be a strong selling point for your property: the star rating has international recognition and will serve as a guarantee of quality for future clients.
- The classification allows you to apply for funding to support tourism accommodation projects and renovation works.
- The classification provides protection in the event of complaints, as it involves a check of equipment and services.
- Your rental will be automatically listed on tourism office websites.
- As an added bonus to attract more clients, you will be able to accept vacation vouchers.
What is the process to obtain your classification?
The classification of a furnished tourist rental is established by accredited organizations, and you can find a list of them on the Atout France website. You simply need to contact one of the organizations near the city where the property is located, and an inspector will come to visit and prepare the report. As our clients testify, the entire process is very simple, and the visit is conducted with attention to detail by qualified professionals. Your real estate agent can accompany you for the visit or, better yet, represent you if you have given them a management mandate.
Once the visit is completed, the organization has one month to provide you with a visit certificate, but generally, you will receive the certificate within a week, consisting of three documents:
- The inspection report,
- The checklist filled out by the organization,
- A proposed classification decision.
If you disagree with the classification, you have 15 days to refuse the proposal. However, be aware that if you do not oppose it, the classification is final.
In general, the organization that conducted the visit handles the request for classification at the department’s prefecture or the town hall of the seasonal rental location using the CERFA form n°11819*03.
What are the criteria considered for classification?
To evaluate your property, the inspector considers 112 criteria divided into the 3 main categories mentioned earlier: equipment and furnishings, customer services, accessibility, and sustainable development.
To give you an idea, here is an overview of the criteria taken into account:
- For equipment and furnishings: property size, electrical equipment, telephone and internet access, hi-fi equipment, bathroom equipment, kitchen equipment, outdoor environment, condition and cleanliness of installations, etc.
- For customer services: local brochures and flyers, welcome service, sheets, towels, table linen, baby equipment, cleaning service, etc.
- For accessibility and sustainable development: width of adapted doors, accessibility information for the property, implementation of energy-saving measures, recycling, etc.
You can find the complete evaluation grid for furnished tourist rentals on the Atout France website by clicking here.
And after the classification?
Once the classification is obtained, you are required to display a classification sign. This sign will indicate that the property has been visited by an accredited inspection organization, along with the year of attribution, the number of stars, and the 5-year validity period.
To obtain a sign, it’s very simple: the visuals are freely downloadable on the Atout France website. You just need to print it.
You also have the option to display this visual on any communication materials of your choice.
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