A landlord who was following up on their previous mandates by phone in July 2026 could still do so legally. Since August 11, 2026, that same call without prior consent exposes them to a fine of up to 375,000 euros. This regulatory shift, which went almost unnoticed in the usual flow of real estate news, redistributes the business practices across the entire sector. The real estate market is moving on several fronts at the same time: regulation of prospecting, tightening of the energy performance diagnosis (DPE), tensions in the tertiary real estate sector. Here are the topics that really matter this fall.
Real Estate Telemarketing: The Game-Changing Decree
Decree No. 2026-662 of July 23, 2026, has shifted telemarketing from an opposition regime (Bloctel) to a strict opt-in regime. In practical terms, one can no longer call a prospect without having proof of explicit prior consent.
For agencies that operated on a commission basis, the shock is direct. Outsourced call centers, follow-ups on expired mandates, cold calls on private listings: all of this becomes illegal without documented agreement.
The operational constraints are precise. Consent is only valid for one year. It must be free and revocable at any time (including orally during the call). Agencies must retain proof for three years. And mandates obtained through unsolicited calls are deemed null and void.
This framework pushes professionals towards different channels: qualified web forms, appointments made in advance, local partnerships. You can find all the information on BTB Immobilier to keep up with these regulatory changes that are transforming the daily lives of agencies.
European DPE and Energy Classification: What Changes for French Housing
The energy performance diagnosis is already subject to a de facto tightening, linked to the gradual transposition of the European directive on the energy performance of buildings. The decree of June 11, 2026, lays the groundwork for a DPE aligned with European standards.
On the ground, feedback varies on this point depending on the types of properties and regions. A property currently classified as D could be downgraded under the new criteria. For landlord owners, this issue is not theoretical: it conditions the right to rent.
Practical consequences are already emerging:
- Thermal sieves classified F or G see their rental ban calendar approaching, with potentially stricter thresholds under the new European framework
- Energy renovation works eligible for MaPrimeRénov’ have been tightened since September 2026 (wood stoves, standalone windows, and single-action insulation removed from the scheme)
- The green value of a property, that is, the price gap between a well-classified and poorly classified housing, continues to widen in tight areas
For an investor, checking the DPE classification before any rental purchase becomes non-negotiable. The risk is no longer just financial: it is a risk of outright prohibition of rental.
Tertiary Real Estate Market: A False Recovery
Investment figures in commercial real estate show a rebound from recent lows. One might see it as a signal of a strong recovery. The reality on the ground is more nuanced.
The vacancy rate for offices remains high in several metropolitan areas. Bordeaux and Toulouse show levels that raise questions about the adequacy between the available supply and the actual demand from businesses. In Île-de-France, the office market in the second quarter of 2026 shows very contrasting dynamics depending on geographical sectors.
On the logistics side, the price per square meter of warehouses in France continues to evolve, driven by e-commerce demand and relocation constraints. The logistics segment remains one of the few to show a structurally higher demand than supply in certain areas.
What we observe in Lille illustrates the situation well: the report for the first half of 2026 in commercial real estate shows sustained activity in certain niches (activity premises, small surfaces) and a persistent wait-and-see attitude regarding large office transactions.
Real Estate Wealth Transfer: Notaries Push for Reforms
Notaries have put forward concrete proposals to facilitate the transfer of real estate wealth between generations. The starting observation is simple: under the current framework, a grandchild is taxed almost like a stranger in an inheritance.
The proposed avenues include:
- Raising the allowances for gifts to grandchildren and great-grandchildren, currently well below the thresholds applied to direct children
- Relaxing family donations to allow for early transfers, particularly on residential real estate
- Better coordination between donations and rental investments, to prevent taxation from blocking the market entry of vacant housing
These proposals come in a context where the bill on the revival and decentralization of housing opens the door to fiscal adjustments. Nothing is finalized, but the direction is clear: facilitate transfers to free up land and housing.
The fall of 2026 marks an operational turning point more than a cyclical one for the real estate sector. Between strict regulation of prospecting, a tightening DPE, and ongoing tax reforms, both professionals and individuals have an interest in closely following these issues rather than focusing solely on interest and price curves.
