The rental property, also called investment property or rental property or rental building (in French immeuble de rapport, maison de rapport, immeuble à loyer) is an architectural typology that emerged in the 19th century, but was developed in a more widespread and characteristic way in the 19th century.

Particularly in Paris, investment property or stabilized profitability property spread starting from the reign of Louis XVI (second half of the century). During the Restoration and the so-called Haussmannian period, large plots of land were subdivided"), and builders and speculators mostly built this type of property there. Urban regulations and the popular destination of these buildings, in many cases promoted the repeated use of facades and interior layouts. This fashion for investment property has undoubtedly been one of the causes of the architectural homogeneity of today's Paris.

A rental building or investment building is a property divided into several family housing solutions that are rented "Location (lease)") by one or more owners to interested parties. The construction of these buildings is a classic real estate operation, conceived as a relatively safe financial placement for the owner. An existing property in some cases can be transformed into a rental property, although generally it is a new property that is built precisely for these purposes.

Although in Paris the facades are often repeated in this type of construction from the 19th century, the buildings are differentiated by some decorative elements, especially plaster mouldings, balcony and staircase railings, and also balustrades.[1]​.

It is a property (building) that includes premises, offices, and/or family accommodation, intended exclusively for rental, with a relatively attractive and secure profitability in the medium and long term, since it is reasonable to think that not all units will be vacated simultaneously, and therefore at a certain moment at least a basic income is assured (a basic income with which to face at least fixed and extraordinary expenses). In other words, it is a form of real estate investment with lower relative risk.