What is a furnished dwelling?
Verified 04 July 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
In order to be considered furnished, a rented dwelling must contain at least some furniture. The list of these mandatory furniture depends on the date of signature of the lease: from 1er September 2015 or earlier.
Since September 2015
List of essential furniture
A furnished dwelling must have at least the following furniture:
- Bedding with duvet or blanket
- Shutters or curtains in the rooms
- Cooking plates
- Microwave oven or oven
- Refrigerator
- Freezer or freezer compartment of the refrigerator with a maximum temperature of -6°
- Sufficient dishes for occupants to eat
- Kitchen utensils
- Table
- Seats
- Storage shelves
- Lighting Fixtures
- Household maintenance equipment adapted to the characteristics of the housing (vacuum cleaner if there is carpet, broom and mop for tiles...)
The judge may decide to reclassify the lease of a furnished dwelling into an empty dwelling lease, in case of non-compliance with this list of furniture.
What to do in case of a dispute?
General case
Dispute less than or equal to €5,000
Registered mail
If you are unable to speak to your landlord (or tenant), you can send them a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
The letter must describe the facts as precisely as possible.
You must attach documents to support your comments (legislation, regulations, invoices, photos...).
Conciliation (required)
If you do not succeed with registered mail, you must initiate a conciliation with a conciliator of justice.
This is free of charge.
Refer the matter to the judge
You have to refer the case to the protection litigation judge the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Dispute over €5,000
Registered mail
If you are unable to speak to your landlord (or tenant), you can send them a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
The letter must describe the facts as precisely as possible.
You must attach documents to support your comments (legislation, regulations, invoices, photos...).
Reconciliation (optional)
If you don't win with registered mail, it can be helpful to initiate a conciliation with a conciliator of justice.
This is free of charge.
Refer the matter to the judge
You have to refer the case to the protection litigation judge the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Mobility lease
Dispute less than or equal to €5,000
Registered mail
If you are unable to speak to your landlord (or tenant), you can send them a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
The letter must describe the facts as precisely as possible.
You must attach documents to support your comments (legislation, regulations, invoices, photos...).
Conciliation (required)
If you do not succeed with registered mail, you must initiate a conciliation with a conciliator of justice.
This is free of charge.
Refer the matter to the judge
You have to refer the case to the protection litigation judge the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Dispute over €5,000
Registered mail
If you are unable to speak to your landlord (or tenant), you can send them a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
The letter must describe the facts as precisely as possible.
You must attach documents to support your comments (legislation, regulations, invoices, photos...).
Reconciliation (optional)
If you don't win with registered mail, it can be helpful to initiate a conciliation with a conciliator of justice.
This is optional.
It's always free.
Refer the matter to the judge
You have to refer the case to the protection litigation judge the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Before
List of essential furniture
The law does not specify the criteria for furnishing a furnished dwelling. It was the judge who over time specified the characteristics of a furnished dwelling.
To be considered as such, a rented dwelling furnished before 1er september 2015 must therefore be provided with furniture and equipment in sufficient quantity and quality to enable the tenant to live there normally with his personal effects alone.
To qualify as furnished, the dwelling must contain at least the following elements:
- Furniture
- Bedding
- Gas stove or hot plates
- Refrigerator
- Kitchen utensils
What to do in case of a dispute?
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Dispute less than or equal to €5,000
Registered mail
If you are unable to speak to your landlord (or tenant), you can send them a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
The letter must describe the facts as precisely as possible.
You must attach documents to support your comments (legislation, regulations, invoices, photos...).
Conciliation (required)
If you do not succeed with registered mail, you must initiate a conciliation with a conciliator of justice.
This is free of charge.
Refer the matter to the judge
You have to refer the case to the protection litigation judge the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Dispute over €5,000
Registered mail
If you are unable to speak to your landlord (or tenant), you can send them a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
The letter must describe the facts as precisely as possible.
You must attach documents to support your comments (legislation, regulations, invoices, photos...).
Reconciliation (optional)
If you don't win with registered mail, it can be helpful to initiate a conciliation with a conciliator of justice.
This is free of charge.
Refer the matter to the judge
You have to refer the case to the protection litigation judge the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Decree n°2015-981 of 31 July 2015 fixing the list of furniture elements of a furnished dwellingFurnished accommodation: furnishing criteria since 1 September 2015