Do you have a lovely little nest that you rent out to holidaymakers from time to time?
Or perhaps you’re an experienced owner who wants to maximize the visibility of your property?
Whatever your situation, you’ve probably already heard of the “meublé de tourisme” label.
But what exactly does it mean?
And why do so many owners opt for this classification?
In this article, we’ll explore in depth the concept of meublé de tourisme, why it’s crucial to classify your property, and how you can obtain this valuable label.
What is a Meublé de Tourisme?
Let’s start with the basics.
A meublé de tourisme is, quite simply, a furnished accommodation intended for a visiting clientele who do not make it their home.
This type of rental, which can be a house, an apartment, a villa, or even a studio, is rented for a maximum of 90 consecutive days to the same person.
The rental is generally short-term, and includes all the furniture needed to live comfortably.
The Meublé de Tourisme Label: What is it?
The meublé de tourisme label is an official classification awarded by the French authorities to assess the quality of accommodation intended for tourist rental.
This classification, awarded for a period of five years, ranges from 1 to 5 stars, as for hotels.
The more stars you have, the more your accommodation is perceived as offering a high level of comfort and quality facilities.
This label is an official recognition, issued after a rigorous inspection by a government-accredited body.
Obtaining this label enables you to guarantee future tenants a certain level of comfort and service, while offering them accommodation that complies with legal standards.
This label reassures tenants about the quality of the accommodation they will be renting.
Why obtain the Meublé de Tourisme label?
The advantages
Wondering why you need to go through this tedious procedure to classify your home?
The advantages are numerous, and some of them may surprise you!
1. Official, credible recognition
The meublé de tourisme label is recognized by vacationers, travel agencies and booking platforms.
By displaying this classification, you offer a guarantee of quality and conformity to your potential tenants.
What’s more, it’s an impartial assessment carried out by a third-party organization.
This guarantee of credibility is very reassuring for tourists from all over the world.
2. Optimizing Visibility
Having a property classified as a meublé de tourisme gives you greater visibility on booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking and Abritel.
Holidaymakers can filter their searches according to starred accommodations, and of course, the more stars you have, the more prominence your listing will receive.
The result: more clicks, more bookings, more revenue!
3. Attractive tax benefits
One of the little-known but highly advantageous advantages of the meublé de tourisme label is its tax benefits.
As the owner of a classified meublé, you can benefit from a 71% tax allowance on rental income, compared with only 50% for a non-classified rental.
And yes, by classifying your property, you can make substantial savings when declaring your property income!
4. A marketing asset
Classification as a meublé de tourisme is also an excellent selling point when it comes to attracting travelers.
In fact, classified accommodation is often perceived as more reliable and in line with customer expectations.
This criterion can make all the difference when holidaymakers have to choose between several similar offers.
They are more likely to book a 3-star property than an unrated one, because they know it has been inspected and validated by an official body.
5. Greater peace of mind for you and your tenants
By obtaining the ” meublé de tourisme” label, you can also assure your tenants that all safety and comfort standards have been met.
This can help you avoid disputes or claims linked to faulty equipment or misleading descriptions.
What’s more, in the event of a dispute, you have a legal basis and an official document proving that your accommodation complies with current requirements.
Comment Classer Son Logement en Meublé de Tourisme : Les Étapes de la Procédure (In French only)
Now that you’re convinced of the many advantages of the meublé de tourisme classification, let’s move on to the steps you need to follow to obtain this famous label.
1. Preparing your home
Before you even start the procedure, make sure that your accommodation meets the basic criteria: impeccable cleanliness, safety (fire extinguisher, smoke detector), comfortable bedding, basic facilities such as a functional kitchen, heating, etc.
You can consult the official guidelines to see the exact criteria according to the number of stars you are aiming for.
2. Contact an Approved Body
To classify a meublé de tourisme, you need to work with an accredited organization.
There are several state-recognized service providers in France that you can contact to carry out an assessment visit.
They will come and inspect your property to check that it meets the criteria for the desired classification.
3. Housing inspection
An expert appointed by the organization will come and assess your property.
This inspection will take into account factors such as surface area, state of fixtures and fittings, level of comfort, accessibility, and even the environment (quiet, proximity to shops, etc.).
4. Waiting for the Verdict
Once the inspection is complete, the organization will provide you with a detailed report, including the number of stars awarded to your property.
If the property meets all the criteria, you will be awarded the meublé de tourisme label for a period of five years.
If certain aspects do not meet the requirements, the organization can indicate areas for improvement before a possible reassessment.
5. Official Publication
Once you’ve obtained your classification, you can proudly display it on your advertisements.
The classification is also published in the official tourist accommodation register, giving your accommodation greater visibility.
How much does it cost ?
The cost of a meublé de tourisme classification procedure varies according to the organization you choose and the number of units to be classified.
In general, you should expect to pay between 150 and 400 euros for a full assessment.
But rest assured, it’s an investment you’ll quickly recoup, thanks to the many benefits you’ll receive in return.
Obtaining the meublé de tourisme label may seem like an additional administrative formality, but the advantages it brings in terms of credibility, visibility and taxation make it a must for owners of tourist properties.
Whether you’re already a seasonally-rented pro or a novice just embarking on the adventure, meublé de tourisme classification will boost your business while reassuring your tenants.
If you’d like to find out more about the different labels, read our article on the Destination d’Excellence label.