Jeanbrun in the old building: the conditions for work on a property to be renovated

The "Housing Recovery" scheme, says Jeanbrun, does not apply to just any old property. According to service-public.gouv.fr (page verified on July 21, 2026), the improvement work must represent at least 30% of the purchase price, and the property must be dilapidated and undergo major renovation work, meaning it must achieve an energy performance certificate (DPE) rating of A or B. Economie.gouv.fr reiterates the 30% threshold: the scheme is aimed at those who invest "30% of the property's purchase price in renovation work.".

This page focuses on the conditions of the work and their implications for depreciation. The general principle, the period, and the 9-year commitment are described on the dedicated page for the scheme. It does not specify the annual depreciation limit, as the official documents consulted express it differently, and it does not promise any return.

Two eligibility scenarios for existing housing

Service-public.gouv.fr distinguishes between two categories of housing:

1. housing units which are or have been the subject of works contributing to the production or delivery of a new building; ;
2. housing units where improvement works represent at least 30 % of the acquisition price.

This page deals with the second case, that of housing to be renovated.

The place. The property is located in France (metropolitan France or overseas departments and regions), in a multi-unit residential building. Economie.gouv.fr also indicates that the scheme applies to multi-unit buildings.

The period. According to service-public.gouv.fr, the investment must be made between February 21, 2026, and December 31, 2028, with the acquisition date being the date of signing the notarial deed. The tax guide states that the scheme applies to acquisitions made or building permit applications submitted between these dates.

The 30 % threshold of the acquisition price

The threshold is straightforward: the improvement works must represent at least 30% of the property's purchase price. For a property purchased for €150,000, this represents a minimum of €45,000 in improvements.

The two official pages I read do not detail which expenses are included in these works, nor how the purchase price is determined. These points should be verified in the documents before signing.

Major renovation and the energy performance certificate (EPC)

Service-public.gouv.fr adds that the works must meet the criteria for a major renovation, i.e., allow for an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of A or B. According to this page, the performance condition is added to the threshold of 30 %.

The pages read do not specify the initial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of the property, nor how the current rating was justified. Economie.gouv.fr makes no mention of either the EPC or the extensive renovation in the excerpt read.

The basis for depreciation

The benefit is a deduction from rental income (service-public.gouv.fr, fact sheet F35782), not a tax reduction. According to service-public.gouv.fr:

• Depreciation is calculated on the purchase price of the property, net of expenses; ;
• the value of the land is estimated at a flat rate of 20 % of the acquisition price; ;
• The amount of rehabilitation work carried out is included in the calculation of depreciation.

The document does not detail how the work is integrated into the database. The example below calculates based on the price alone and specifies this.

The rates in the old

Service-public.gouv.fr indicates the following annual rates for older housing:

Economie.gouv.fr does not provide rates.

The option, the commitment, and the questioning

The option. The deduction applies if the taxpayer requests it when filing their income tax return for the year the property is completed or acquired, whichever is later. The rental agreement must be attached. The option is irrevocable for the property in question.

Commitment. Unfurnished rental, as the tenant's primary residence, for a period of 9 years. The lease begins within 12 months of the building's completion or acquisition, whichever is later. The tenant must not be a member of the tenant's tax household, nor a relative by blood or marriage up to and including the second degree. Three rent levels are available: intermediate, social, and very social.

Non-accumulations. The scheme cannot be combined with the Denormandie tax reduction for the same property, nor with the micro-land regime.

The questioning. Failure to comply with any of the commitments (lease term, rent level) will result in the lease being revoked. The amount of depreciation deducted will be added back to the net rental income for the year in which the revocation occurs.

The works and the land deficit

A property requiring renovation can also qualify for the property deficit scheme, which is a separate mechanism. According to service-public.gouv.fr (fact sheet F39735), the portion of the property deficit excluding loan interest is deductible from total income up to a limit of €10,700. This limit is increased to €21,400 for certain energy efficiency renovations (improving the energy rating from E, F, or G to A, B, C, or D). The same fact sheet indicates that these expenses must have been the subject of an accepted quote on or after November 5, 2022, and paid between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2027. The tax guide states that this limit "is extended until December 31, 2027." The BOFiP (BOI-RFPI-BASE-30-20, version of 16/09/2025) however cites a payment for the work until 31/12/2025: this page does not settle the matter, and the dates should be verified with the administration.

This page does not address the relationship between property deficit and Jeanbrun depreciation for the same property. Property deficit has its own dedicated page.

An apartment to renovate: a numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. A hypothetical buyer purchases an older apartment in a multi-unit building for €150,000 net of fees, intending to rent it unfurnished at an intermediate rent. He is hesitating between two renovation budgets: €40,000 or €60,000.

Issue. Determine which of these budgets meets the 30 % threshold, and then what the order of magnitude is of the annual depreciation.

Strategy. Compare each budget to the threshold of €45,000, then apply the land flat rate of 20 % and the rates of the old one to the price alone.

Result.

If the accommodation was rented for 6 years at the intermediate level, then if the commitment ceased to be respected, and if the depreciation deducted had reached €3,600 per year, the depreciation deducted to be reinstated would be €21,600 (6 × €3,600).

These amounts are calculated based on the price alone, excluding any work that might be included, as the information sheet does not detail its inclusion, and before application of the annual cap, which this page does not specify. Reaching the 30 % threshold does not indicate the actual energy performance certificate (EPC) rating obtained. The profile, price, and budgets are fictitious. The figures illustrate the calculation and do not reflect your specific situation.

This is not yet decided

The annual depreciation limit. The official websites consulted in October 2026 express this ceiling differently: service-public.gouv.fr presents it per tax household, with increases depending on the rent level, while economie.gouv.fr presents it as a maximum annual depreciation amount. No figures are published here. It should be verified on the official website before making any decision.

A bill is under discussion. Service-public.gouv.fr indicates, in its version verified on July 21, 2026, that a draft law on the recovery and decentralization of housing, currently under review in Parliament, is intended to ease the eligibility requirements for the program. The official page specifies that it will be updated after the law is adopted and published. The status of this draft law as of October 18, 2026, has not been verified here.

Jeanbrun in the old days: what changes depending on your case

• The purchase price, which sets the threshold for works of 30 %.
• The type of work, in view of the major renovation and the objective of DPE A or B.
• The chosen rent level, which sets the depreciation rate.
• The date of the notarial deed, with regard to the period from 21/02/2026 to 31/12/2028.
• The work schedule, in particular for the land deficit, the dates of which differ according to the texts read.
• Your other property income and benefits, including Denormandie and micro-foncier, which cannot be combined.

The rule depends on your situation. No results are guaranteed.