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Social housing or private housing: what differences for the tenant?

Verified 19 May 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

The main differences concern the conditions for obtaining the accommodation, the amount of rent and the duration of the lease.

Tableau - Main differences between social and private housing

Social housing

Private accommodation

Empty rental

Furnished rental

Residential lease

Residential lease

Mobility lease

Conditions for obtaining accommodation

The tenant must have an income not exceeding one maximum amount

The landlord freely chooses the tenant, but must not make any discrimination

The landlord freely chooses the tenant, but must not make any discrimination

The tenant must be in one of the following cases:

  • Vocational training
  • Higher education
  • Apprenticeship contract
  • Internship
  • Voluntary engagement (civic service)
  • Occupational transfer
  • Temporary assignment (professional activity)

    • How to apply for accommodation

    • For accommodation in Île-de-France, you need to make a application file unique
    • For housing in the provinces or in the Dom, you have to make a application file by department

    Where the applicant does not obtain accommodation

    The applicant may submit his or her right to housing (Dalo)

    No recourse is possible unless the applicant can prove that there has been discrimination

    No recourse is possible unless the applicant can prove that there has been discrimination

    No recourse is possible unless the applicant can prove that there has been discrimination

    Rent setting

    The amount of the rent is regulated

    • The amount of rent is free or framed, according to the municipality.
    • For an F or G-rated dwelling (ECD) that has been leased since August 24, 2022, the rent cannot be higher than the previous tenant's rent
    • The amount of rent is free or framedaccording to the municipality
    • For an F or G-rated dwelling (ECD) that has been leased since August 24, 2022, the rent cannot be higher than the previous tenant's rent
    • The amount of rent is free or framedaccording to the municipality
    • For an F or G-rated dwelling (ECD) that has been leased since August 24, 2022, the rent cannot be higher than the previous tenant's rent

    Rent Review

    The rent is revised every year

    If the lease so provides, the rent can be reviewed every year, except for metropolis housing, classified F or G (DPE) and whose lease has been signed, renewed or tacitly renewed since 24 August 2022

    If the lease so provides, the rent can be reviewed every year, except for metropolis housing, classified F or G (DPE) and whose lease has been signed, renewed or tacitly renewed since 24 August 2022

    The rent cannot be reviewed during the lease

    Lease Duration

    Not known. The tenant has a right to be kept on the premises.

    At least 3 years

    • At least 1 year
    • For a student tenant, at least 9 months

    From 1 month to 10 months maximum

    The lessee may terminate the lease

    At any time, provided you give leave to the lessor with 3 or 1 month's notice, as appropriate

    At any time, provided you give leave to the owner with 3 or 1 month's notice, as appropriate

    At any time, provided you give owner's leave with one month's notice

    At any time, provided you give owner's leave with one month's notice

    The landlord/landlord may terminate the lease

    At any time, when:

  • the tenant's income exceeds the maximum allowed
  • or the accommodation is under-occupied (too large)
  • or the dwelling is empty
  • or the accommodation is inadequate (the disabled person has left the accommodation)
  • or the dwelling has been assigned by the tenant
  • or by serious fault of the tenant (unpaid, neighborhood disturbance...)
    • Under lease, in the event of serious misconduct on the part of the tenant (unpaid, neighborhood disturbance)
    • When the lease expires, to live in the dwelling or to house a relative, or to sell the dwelling. He must give the tenant at least 6 months notice.
    • Under lease, in the event of serious misconduct on the part of the tenant (unpaid, neighborhood disturbance)
    • When the lease expires, to live in the dwelling, or to house a relative, or to sell the dwelling. He must give the tenant at least 3 months' notice.
    • During the lease, in case of serious fault of the tenant (unpaid, neighborhood disorder)
    • TO the due date of the lease, without any action to be taken

    FYI  

    there are private dwellings (owned by individuals) for which the tenant must have an income below a maximum amount: these are Anah's contracted dwellings.

    Who can help me?

    Find who can answer your questions in your region

    • Departmental Agency for Housing Information (Adil)

    • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

      The informants who answer you belong to the ministry in charge of housing and city planning.

      Cost: free service

      Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.

      The service is available at the following times:

      • Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
      • Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
      • Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
      • Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
      • Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m

      Request a call