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Drafting of the housing lease (rental contract)
Verified 15 July 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The lease (or lease) identifies the rights and obligations of the owner and the tenant. If the rental unit is used as the tenant's main residence, the lease concluded must comply with the rules (information and mandatory information) relating to rental units for use as the main residence.
These rules differ in particular according to the type of rental (empty rented accommodation or furnished accommodation).
What applies to you ?
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Empty housing
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or if it is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
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No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within one month from the date of the lease.
The owner, in turn, has one month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge to get a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not respond, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge so that he can determine the rent reduction to be applied. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
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General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Paris
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Montpellier
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Bordeaux
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
Real estate agency fee information
If the landlord uses a professional to rent the accommodation, the lease must include the following information:
- Cost-sharing rules (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- Amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- be renewed on a proposal from the owner
- be automatically renewed
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or if it is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within one month from the date of the lease.
The owner, in turn, has one month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge to get a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not respond, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge so that he can determine the rent reduction to be applied. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Paris
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Montpellier
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
Real estate agency fee information
If the landlord uses a professional to rent the accommodation, the lease must include the following information:
- Cost-sharing rules (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- Amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- be renewed on a proposal from the owner
- be automatically renewed
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or if it is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
Real estate agency fee information
If the landlord uses a professional to rent the accommodation, the lease must include the following information:
- Cost-sharing rules (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- Amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- is renewed on a proposal from the owner,
- be automatically renewed.
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or if it is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Real estate agency fee information
If the landlord uses a professional to rent the accommodation, the lease must include the following information:
- Cost-sharing rules (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- Amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- is renewed on a proposal from the owner,
- be automatically renewed.
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or if it is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signing of the lease, from the date of signing of the lease
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Real estate agency fee information
If the landlord uses a professional to rent the accommodation, the lease must include the following information:
- Cost-sharing rules (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- Amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- is renewed on a proposal from the owner,
- be automatically renewed.
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or if it is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signing of the lease, from the date of signing of the lease
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Real estate agency fee information
If the landlord uses a professional to rent the accommodation, the lease must include the following information:
- Cost-sharing rules (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- Amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- is renewed on a proposal from the owner,
- be automatically renewed.
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or if it is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signing of the lease, from the date of signing of the lease
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Real estate agency fee information
If the landlord uses a professional to rent the accommodation, the lease must include the following information:
- Cost-sharing rules (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- Amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- is renewed on a proposal from the owner,
- be automatically renewed.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- The effective date and duration of the lease.
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work done in the dwelling since the last lease (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
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No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- The amount of the reference rent plus the reference rent,
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary,
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it's planned.
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- The amount of the reference rent plus the reference rent,
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary,
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it's planned.
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old.
FYI
since november 25, 2018, the technical diagnostic file is sent to the tenant by dematerialized means, unless the tenant or owner explicitly opposes it.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be attached to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who requests it.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- is renewed on a proposal from the owner,
- be automatically renewed.
Form of the lease
The lease has to be made in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- If the accommodation is not directly managed by the owner, the name and registered office of the manager
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination (dwelling lease or mixed lease, i.e. dwelling lease and liberal business lease)
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- The amount of the reference rent plus the reference rent,
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary,
- Terms of payment for charges
- Amount of security deposit if it's planned.
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old.
FYI
since november 25, 2018, the technical diagnostic file is sent to the tenant by dematerialized means, unless the tenant or owner explicitly opposes it.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be attached to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who requests it.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The lease must be concluded for a minimum period of:
- 3 years where the owner is an individual,
- 6 years when the owner is a legal entity (e.g. a business, an association).
By way of exception, the duration may be less than 3 years (or 6 years), but not less than 1 year, if the owner plans to resume his accommodation for family or business reasons. Example: a retirement that forces the owner to take back his home.
The reason for taking back the shorter term must be included in the lease.
The landlord must confirm to the tenant, at least 2 months before the end of the lease, that the event is completed and that he will resume the accommodation on the scheduled date. The owner must send this confirmation by registered letter with notice of receipt.
Where the event has not occurred or has not been confirmed, the lease must continue until the 3-year period.
Renewal of the lease
At the end of the lease, and in the absence of notice (leave) given by the owner or the tenant, the lease is:
- is renewed on a proposal from the owner,
- be automatically renewed.
Furnished accommodation
Warning: the mobility lease is the subject of specific rules which are not described here.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within one month from the date of the lease.
The owner, in turn, has one month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge to get a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not respond, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge so that he can determine the rent reduction to be applied. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Paris
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Montpellier
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Bordeaux
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
When the contract is for one year, it is automatically renewed at the end of the contract if the parties do not grant leave.
When the duration of the contract is 9 months, renewal is not possible: the lease ends at the end of its term without the parties being obliged to give leave.
A new lease must then be signed if the parties wish to continue the lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within one month from the date of the lease.
The owner, in turn, has one month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge to get a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not respond, the tenant may refer the case to the protection litigation judge so that he can determine the rent reduction to be applied. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Paris
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Montpellier
Some information related to the rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
When the contract is for one year, it is automatically renewed at the end of the contract if the parties do not grant leave.
When the duration of the contract is 9 months, renewal is not possible: the lease ends at the end of its term without the parties being obliged to give leave.
A new lease must then be signed if the parties wish to continue the lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
- Amount of theoretical expenditure on heating (and the reference year of energy prices used to establish this estimate)
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
When the duration of the contract is 1 year, it is automatically renewed at its end if the parties do not grant leave.
When the duration of the contract is 9 months, renewal is not possible: the lease ends at the end of its term without the parties being obliged to give leave.
A new lease must then be signed if the parties wish to continue the lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of Est Ensemble
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of reference rent and increased reference rent
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
When the duration of the contract is 1 year, it is automatically renewed at its end if the parties do not grant leave.
When the duration of the contract is 9 months, renewal is not possible: the lease ends at the end of its term without the parties being obliged to give leave.
A new lease must then be signed if the parties wish to continue the lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lyon and Villeurbanne
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
When the duration of the contract is 1 year, it is automatically renewed at its end if the parties do not grant leave.
When the duration of the contract is 9 months, renewal is not possible: the lease ends at the end of its term without the parties being obliged to give leave.
A new lease must then be signed if the parties wish to continue the lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
On the territory of the Common Plain
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
When the duration of the contract is 1 year, it is automatically renewed at its end if the parties do not grant leave.
When the duration of the contract is 9 months, renewal is not possible: the lease ends at the end of its term without the parties being obliged to give leave.
A new lease must then be signed if the parties wish to continue the lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old
- If the housing is located in a noise zone defined by a aerodrome noise exposure plan, a document containing a clear and precise indication of the noise area in which the accommodation is located.
FYI
the technical diagnostic file shall be sent to the tenant by e-mail, unless the tenant or owner objects.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be annexed to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who so requests.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
When the duration of the contract is 1 year, it is automatically renewed at its end if the parties do not grant leave.
When the duration of the contract is 9 months, renewal is not possible: the lease ends at the end of its term without the parties being obliged to give leave.
A new lease must then be signed if the parties wish to continue the lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- The amount of the reference rent plus the reference rent,
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary,
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Lille, Hellemmes and Lomme
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Amount of the reference rent and the reference rent plus
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old.
FYI
since november 25, 2018, the technical diagnostic file is sent to the tenant by dematerialized means, unless the tenant or owner explicitly opposes it.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be attached to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who requests it.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
One-year lease
The lease is automatically renewed at the end of its term if the tenant and owner have not given their notice (leave).
9-month lease
Renewal of the lease is not possible. The lease ends without the tenant or landlord having to give notice (leave).
If the tenant and landlord wish to continue the lease, they must sign a new lease.
Form of the lease
The lease must be established in writing in as many copies as there are parties (owner, tenant, surety).
It can take the form of a privately signed document or a authentic instrument.
It must comply with the regulatory lease model.
Here is an example:
Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Content of the lease
Information on parties
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Owner's name and home
- Name and address of the manager and his/her registered office if the dwelling is not managed directly by the owner
- Names of tenant(s)
- Effective date and duration of lease
Information on accommodation
The lease shall specify the following information:
- Consistency of housing and its destination
- Description of the dwelling (house or apartment, number of rooms) and its equipment for private and common use
- Nature and amount of work carried out in the dwelling since the last rental contract (or renewal)
- Living area housing. If it is not mentioned or is incorrect, the tenant can bring an action for rent reduction.
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No surface area
If the lease does not mention the living space of the rented accommodation, the tenant may demand that the owner do so within 1 month from the date of the lease.
The owner in turn has 1 month to make this clarification.
If the landlord refuses, or if he does not respond within this period, the tenant can apply to the protection litigation judge for a rent reduction. The tenant must apply to the judge within 3 months of the owner's formal notice. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
Who shall I contact
Wrong area
If the lease mentions an area more than 5% larger than the actual area of the rental unit, the tenant can ask the landlord for a rent reduction proportional to the difference found.
The tenant must send a request to the landlord by registered mail with notice of receipt.
The owner must reply within 2 months of receiving this letter.
If no agreement is reached or if the landlord does not reply, the tenant can refer the protection litigation to the court to fix the rent reduction to apply. The tenant must apply to the judge within 4 months of sending his application to the landlord. The judge to be seised is the judge of the court on which the rented accommodation depends.
The rent reduction accepted by the landlord or decided by the judge applies to:
- if the request was made within 6 months of the signature of the lease, from the date of signature of the lease,
- if the request was made more than 6 months after the signature of the lease, from the date of the request.
Who shall I contact
Information on rent, charges and security deposit
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General case
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
In Paris
Some information on rent must be included in the lease:
- The amount of rent and its terms of payment (date and frequency, which is usually monthly), as well as any revision rules
- Amount of the last rent applied to the previous tenant (if he has left the accommodation for less than 18 months)
- The amount of the reference rent plus the reference rent,
- Amount and justification of rent supplement, if necessary,
- Arrangements for the recovery of charges (on a flat-rate or real basis)
- Amount of security deposit if it is planned
Agency Fee Information
If the landlord uses a professional for the rental of the unit, the lease must mention:
- the rules on sharing costs (reproduction of Section 5 I of the 1989 Act)
- and the amounts of billing ceilings applicable to the tenant.
Other clauses
The tenant and landlord may agree to include other clauses in the lease. But they should not be included in the list of prohibited clauses. If such a clause is included in the lease, it should not be applied. These include clauses:
- imposing direct debit as a method of payment of rent
- or prohibiting the tenant from housing persons who do not usually live with him
- or providing for the cost of issuing or sending a receipt.
Documents annexed to the lease
A technical diagnostic file must be attached to the lease. The file includes the following documents:
- Energy Performance Diagnostic (EDP)
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP) if the dwelling dates from before january 1949
- Risk and pollution status if the dwelling is located in an area at risk (floods, earthquakes, avalanches, etc.)
- State of indoor electricity installation if the installation is more than 15 years old
- State of indoor gas installation if the installation is more than 15 years old or if the last certificate of conformity is more than 15 years old.
FYI
since november 25, 2018, the technical diagnostic file is sent to the tenant by dematerialized means, unless the tenant or owner explicitly opposes it.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor electricity installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor electricity installation completed less than 6 years ago as part of the sale of the dwelling
- or a certificate of conformity relating to the conformity or safety of the electrical installation issued less than 6 years ago by an approved body. If the certificate cannot be provided, the declaration of the recognized organization.
In lieu of the condition of the indoor gas installation, the lessor may provide:
- a state of indoor gas installation completed less than 6 years ago in connection with the sale of the dwelling
- or a state of indoor gas installation performed for less than 6 years by a professional certified by an organization accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac).
FYI
the asbestos diagnosis is not required to be attached to the lease, but must be made available to the lessee who requests it.
Other documents must also be attached to the lease:
- Information leaflet
- State of the place of entry established when the keys are handed over, and the state of the places of departure performed when returning keys
- Rental Risk Insurance Certificate which the tenant must subscribe to
- List of equipment for access to information and communication technologies (cable, DTT, fiber...)
- Copy of the Anah Convention if the rented accommodation is contracted
- Copy of the dilapidated grid if the tenant and landlord have agreed to apply one
- If the unit is situated in a condominium, an extract from the co-ownership rules. The excerpt relates to the destination of the building, the use of private and communal areas. It also addresses the share relating to the dwelling rented in each of the categories of charges.
If the dwelling is located in an area of unsuitable habitat, its rental (renewal and renewal of the lease are not subject to it) may require:
- to obtain in town hall a prior authorization to be annexed to the lease contract
- or to file in town hall a statement against receipt, a copy of which must be given to the tenant.
Contact your city hall to find out if the property to be rented is covered by this obligation.
Lease Duration
The term of the lease of a furnished rental is:
- 1 year
- or 9 months if the rental is granted to a student.
Renewal of the lease
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One-year lease
The lease is automatically renewed at the end of its term if the tenant and owner have not given their notice (leave).
9-month lease
Renewal of the lease is not possible. The lease ends without the tenant or landlord having to give notice (leave).
If the tenant and landlord wish to continue the lease, they must sign a new lease.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- 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
- Departmental Agency for Housing Information (Adil)
- Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 on rental relationships: article 3Mandatory particulars
- Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 on rental relationships: article 3-1Empty dwelling: area difference
- Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 on rental relationships: article 5Particulars relating to agency costs
- Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 on rental relationships: article 10Lease Duration
- Decree No. 2015-587 of 29 May 2015 on standard rental agreements for residential useLease Template
- Order of 29 May 2015 on the content of the information notice annexed to the contracts for rental of dwellings for use in principal residenceInformation leaflet
- Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 on rental relationships: article 3-3Empty or furnished housing: diagnostic folder
- Decree No. 2016-1104 of 11 August 2016 on the status of the indoor gas installation in rental accommodationEmpty or furnished housing: gas diagnosis
- Decree No. 2016-1105 of 11 August 2016 on the state of indoor electricity installation in rental accommodationEmpty or furnished housing: diagnosis electricity
- Public Health Code: sections R1334-29-4 to R1334-29-7Empty or furnished housing: asbestos diagnosis
- Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 on rental relationships: article 17Rent supplement
- Decree No. 2015-650 of 10 June 2015 on the modalities of implementation of the framework for the level of certain rentsRent supplement (Article 3)
- Decree n°2016-382 of 30 March 2016 on the establishment of the inventory and the taking into account of the antiquity of the rented housing for use of main residenceGrate of age
- 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
- Lease model for an empty dwelling (since August 1, 2015)
Document template
- Lease model for a furnished dwelling (applicable since 1 August 2015)
Document template
- Verify that a dwelling is in a stretched area
Simulator
FAQ
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- Real estate rental: documents submitted by the ownerService-Public.fr
- Form of lease: empty dwellingLegifrance
- Form of the lease: furnished accommodationLegifrance
- Content of the information leaflet to be annexed to the lease contract (empty or furnished)Legifrance
- Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 on rental relationships: article 5 ILegifrance
- The standard rental contract in 10 questionsNational Institute of Consumer Affairs (INC)