Sometimes, tenants receive a housing tax notice even though they are not supposed to be liable - this can happen, for example, in furnished rentals managed by Colonies.
👀 Why did I receive this tax?
The housing tax is addressed to the person occupying the property on January 1st of the current year.
Even though it has been abolished for most main residences, it can still be issued in the following cases:
Administrative error
If the property is considered a secondary residence by the tax authorities
If the property is vacant
If your tax declaration is incorrect (name reported to the authorities, incorrect duration of occupancy…)
📝 Do I have to pay it?
Based on the above, it's quite rare that you are actually required to pay this tax, although it is not impossible. Here’s what you should do:
Check the information listed on the notice (address, name, type of accommodation)
Do not pay immediately
Make sure this property is (or was) your main residence. This is the most common error - the authorities cannot know it is your main residence unless you report it in your impots.gouv.fr space.
Contest the notice with your local tax office, explaining that you are (or were) a tenant in a furnished shared apartment managed by a third party.
Attach the following documents to your request:
A rental certificate (available in your tenant portal – "My Documents")
A rent receipt
Any other document requested by the tax office. Feel free to contact us if needed.
Note: As the housing tax is sent directly to tenants and is their responsibility, Colonies has no visibility over these notices or your personal situation. We can help you gather the necessary documents but cannot complete the process on your behalf.
💡 Best practices
🔄 Update your situation with the tax authorities
As soon as you move in or out of a property, make sure to declare your new address on impots.gouv.fr. This prevents your name from being associated with an address you no longer occupy.
📨 Don’t ignore a tax notice
Even if you believe you’re not liable, don’t let it sit. A quick response helps find a solution fast and avoids unnecessary follow-ups.