Furnished Rentals in Lyon: Things to Check Before Renting
Furnished rentals in Lyon—particularly short-term rentals or vacation rentals—are governed by national and local regulations.
Before renting out a property, you must verify its status: whether it is a primary residence or not, its residential use, the condominium bylaws, the intended rental term, the owner’s status, the registration number, and any authorization for a change of use.
At 2BeApart, we help property owners navigate this initial review of the applicable regulations to identify key considerations before listing their property for rent.
Legal Framework
Not all furnished rentals fall under the same framework.
In particular, we must distinguish between:
short-term rentals to visitors;
furnished vacation rentals;
monthly rental;
the owner’s primary residence;
housing units that are not primary residences;
property owned by an individual or a legal entity.
In Lyon, these distinctions are important because they can lead to different procedures: filing a declaration, obtaining a registration number, changing the intended use, compensation, or verifying the condominium bylaws.
Furnished Vacation Rental
A furnished vacation rental refers to a furnished dwelling offered to temporary guests for short stays, without the occupant establishing it as their primary residence.
In Lyon, furnished vacation rentals must be registered in order to obtain a registration number. This number must be included in rental listings. (Lyon.fr)
Primary residence: Maximum of 90 days in Lyon
If the property is the landlord’s primary residence, the City of Lyon states that it may be rented out as a furnished vacation rental for up to 90 days per year, after obtaining a registration number. (Lyon.fr)
This rule must be clearly distinguished from the case of a residence that is not the primary residence.
Housing that is not a primary residence
If the property rented out as a furnished vacation rental is not the owner’s primary residence, the issuance of a registration number does not constitute authorization to rent it out. The City of Lyon specifies that an application for a change of use must be filed in advance. (Lyon.fr)
Statements
Before listing a property for short-term rental in Lyon, there are several steps you may need to take.
Registration Number
The registration number is required for the relevant listings. It is obtained through the advance declaration of the furnished tourist accommodation and must appear on listings published online. (Lyon.fr)
Change of Use
A change of use refers to residential properties that the owner wishes to use for another purpose, particularly as furnished vacation rentals, provided they are not the owner’s primary residence.
The City of Lyon notes that the conditions for issuing this permit are specified in a resolution adopted by the Lyon Metropolitan Area on July 10, 2023. (Lyon.fr)
Co-ownership
In a condominium, you must check the condominium bylaws. The City of Lyon also specifies that the property manager must be notified of the online registration of a furnished tourist rental, and that an item regarding this must be included on the agenda of the next general meeting. (Lyon.fr)
Points to Watch For
Primary residence
The primary residence is subject to simpler regulations, but it is not entirely free of restrictions. In Lyon, it is still subject to a declaration and registration number, with a limit of 90 days per year for short-term rentals. (Lyon.fr)
Second home or rental investment
For a property that is not a primary residence, the registration number alone is not sufficient. A request to change the property’s use must be reviewed before it can be operated as a furnished vacation rental. (Lyon.fr)
Compensation
Compensation is one of the most sensitive issues in Lyon.
The City of Lyon explains that the compensation involves converting spaces such as offices and retail stores into housing, so as not to exacerbate the housing shortage. (Lyon.fr)
Since the stricter regulations took effect on June 1, 2022, the requirement for compensation has become more restrictive. In the city center, any request to change the use of a residential unit to a furnished vacation rental is subject to compensation, with the requirement to provide a replacement unit of the same size, located in the city center and within the same district. (Lyon.fr)
Outside the city center, housing units of 35 m² or larger are subject to compensation starting with the first square meter, with a property of equivalent size located in the same district. (Lyon.fr)
Individuals / Legal Entities
The rules also vary depending on whether the applicant is an individual or a legal entity. For individuals, a temporary permit may be granted for 9 years, non-renewable, in certain cases. For legal entities, compensation is required starting from the first square meter for any application to change the use of a property to a tourist rental located in Lyon. (Lyon.fr)
Taxation and Insurance
Income from furnished rentals must be reported under the appropriate tax category. Home insurance must also be consistent with the intended use: short-term rental, monthly rental, temporary occupancy, or furnished vacation rental.
Lyon
Lyon is an attractive market for business trips, temporary assignments, training programs, internships, relocations, and tourist visits.
But it is also a city where furnished short-term rentals are subject to particularly strict regulations. The housing situation must therefore be analyzed on a case-by-case basis: district, square footage, current use, owner’s status, type of stay planned, and any potential compensation requirements. At 2BeApart, we take this local context into account before proposing a rental strategy. The goal is not simply to rent out the property, but to develop a plan that is consistent with the property, the owner, the market, and the applicable regulations.
Useful Links / Regulations FAQ
Can I rent out my primary residence on a short-term basis in Lyon ?
Yes, under certain conditions. The primary residence must be registered, a registration number must be obtained, and short-term rentals are limited to a maximum of 90 days per year in Lyon. (Lyon.fr)
Is the registration number still sufficient ?
No. If the property is not your primary residence, the registration number does not constitute authorization. You may need to apply for a change of use. (Lyon.fr)
What is compensation ?
Compensation involves returning a space that was not originally intended for residential use—such as an office or retail space converted into housing—to the housing market. This mechanism aims to maintain a balance between housing and economic activities. (Lyon.fr)
Is compensation always provided in Lyon ?
Not in all cases, but it has become much more common. In particular, it is required in the city center for any request to change the use of a property to a furnished vacation rental, and outside the city center for units of 35 m² or larger. (Lyon.fr)
Can the condominium bylaws block a project ?
Yes. You should always review the condominium bylaws, as certain provisions may restrict or prohibit certain uses of the unit.
Does 2BeApart handle the regulatory procedures ?
2BeApart helps property owners identify the items that need to be checked and can guide them through the necessary steps. However, certain verifications remain the responsibility of the property owner or their legal, tax, or notary advisors.
Are you interested in renting out your property in Lyon ?
Before renting out a property, it is important to verify that the project complies with applicable regulations.
Our team can discuss your property, its location, and the type of rental you’re considering.