I inherited a house with a tenant - do I need to pay tax?

Inheriting a house in the UK is obviously a bitter sweet experience.

Looking only at the tax side of this and a UK only view, what does it mean?

You may or may not have IHT (Interitance Tax) to pay.  This is something that you need to work with the Executor of the Estate, where it is wise to have a solicitor involved and she or he can help manage this.

Once probate is done and you fully own the house or share of the house, then - unless the rent / profits are small - you will have to do a UK self assessment tax return and pay UK tax on this.  If you are French resident you also need to declare it as well.

What about the period in probate?  The answer is, "this depends."  You need to check with your solicitor again as sometimes they will keep all the income of the house together and only declare at the end, sometimes they will say you take the income from day 1 even in probate.  So one to check.