Which furniture is mandatory in a furnished rental?

The decree requires 11 categories: bedding, window blackout, cooking hobs, an oven or microwave, a refrigerator/freezer, crockery, utensils, a table and seats, storage, light fittings and cleaning equipment.

What does the landlord risk if the furnished rental is incomplete?

The tenant can have the furnished lease reclassified as a three-year unfurnished lease, with a six-month landlord notice period and loss of the furnished tax regime (BIC/LMNP).

Is a furniture inventory required?

Yes, it is strongly recommended: the furniture inventory, attached to the lease and complementary to the inspection report, proves the presence and condition of the equipment and secures the return of the security deposit.

Is a microwave enough instead of an oven?

Yes: the decree allows either an oven or a microwave oven. Either one is enough to meet this obligation.

Furnished rentals: the list of mandatory equipment

Updated on July 16, 2026 · 6 min read

A home can only be let as "furnished" if it contains sufficient furniture to allow the tenant to live there normally with only their personal belongings. The law sets a minimum list of equipment by decree: below it, a furnished lease can be reclassified as an unfurnished rental, with a different regime and taxation. Providing the full list secures both the lease and the landlord’s tax status.

Why a mandatory list

Since the loi ALUR (2014 French housing law), a decree sets the minimum furniture for a furnished rental. The aim: to avoid "façade" furnished lettings that would benefit from a more flexible lease and favourable taxation without actually equipping the home. An incomplete furnished rental risks being reclassified as a three-year unfurnished lease.

The 11 categories of equipment

The decree requires, as a minimum:

bedding with a duvet or blanket;
window-blackout devices in the bedrooms (shutters or curtains);
cooking hobs;
an oven or a microwave oven;
a refrigerator, and a freezer or a compartment at −6 °C minimum;
crockery in sufficient quantity for meals;
kitchen utensils;
a table and seats;
storage shelves;
light fittings;
cleaning equipment suited to the home.

What happens if the list is incomplete

If one or more items are missing, the tenant can ask a judge to reclassify the furnished lease as an unfurnished one: the term is extended to three years, the landlord’s notice period to six months, and the BIC/LMNP (industrial and commercial profits / non-professional furnished lessor) tax regime is lost. The landlord therefore has every interest in documenting the presence of each item, ideally in the inventory attached to the lease.

Inventory and inspection report

Handing over the equipment is proven by a furniture inventory, separate from but complementary to the entry inspection report. It lists each piece of furniture and its condition, and serves as a reference at move-out to assess wear and any damage. A precise inventory avoids disputes over the security deposit.

Frequently asked questions

Which furniture is mandatory in a furnished rental?: The decree requires 11 categories: bedding, window blackout, cooking hobs, an oven or microwave, a refrigerator/freezer, crockery, utensils, a table and seats, storage, light fittings and cleaning equipment.
What does the landlord risk if the furnished rental is incomplete?: The tenant can have the furnished lease reclassified as a three-year unfurnished lease, with a six-month landlord notice period and loss of the furnished tax regime (BIC/LMNP).
Is a furniture inventory required?: Yes, it is strongly recommended: the furniture inventory, attached to the lease and complementary to the inspection report, proves the presence and condition of the equipment and secures the return of the security deposit.
Is a microwave enough instead of an oven?: Yes: the decree allows either an oven or a microwave oven. Either one is enough to meet this obligation.