Rent controls: Bordeaux and Basque country improve, but 37% of listings still exceed caps

A new report finds 37% of rental listings in French cities with rent controls exceed legal caps, up five points from 2025, with Paris showing the sharpest deterioration. Paris saw non-compliant listings rise from 31% to 46% in one year, an unprecedented level despite city enforcement efforts. Regional cities fared better, with Bordeaux improving from 37% non-compliance in 2023 to 17% in 2026, and the Basque country dropping eight points to 30%. The rent control scheme expires in November unless new legislation passes, with a Senate debate planned for October. Non-compliance is highest for furnished and small apartments, though average excess amounts fell from €191 to €159 per month.