Guides for landlords in France
One question per article, the French rule and its source, and the tool that goes with it. More articles are available in French.
Rent receipts
- Rent receipt as proof of address in France: what is accepted
A French rent receipt as proof of address: typed, recent, in the tenant’s name. What the driving licence, carte grise, electoral roll and passport accept.
- Rent due notice in France: is it required?
Avis d’échéance in France: no article of the 1989 law requires one. Three articles mention it: no fee for the tenant, two entries that have to appear on it.
- Rent receipt for a furnished let in France: which rules?
Rent receipt for a furnished main residence in France: the same article 21 as unfurnished. Provision or flat-rate charges on the receipt, worked example.
- Rent receipt for a flatshare in France: one or several?
Flatshare rent receipt in France: with a single lease, one receipt once the rent is paid in full, a plain receipt before that. One lease each: one receipt each.
- CAF rent certificate in France: what the landlord fills in
The CAF attestation de loyer (Cerfa 10842*07): what the landlord fills in, what it does not prove, benefit paid to the landlord and the 2027 unpaid-rent rule.
Rent revision and increase
- Rent increase in France: what percentage depending on your lease’s quarter?
The annual rent revision cannot exceed the one-year change in the IRL for the quarter set in the lease. Latest values, worked example, F and G homes frozen.
- Unrevised rent in France: can you catch up past years?
A forgotten rent revision only applies from the request, made within a year of the date in the lease. What happens to past years, with a worked example.
Unpaid rent
- Unpaid rent and housing benefit in France: what changes on 1 January 2027
Unpaid rent and housing benefit in France: from 1 January 2027, unpaid rent is established above €450 or after three months. Reporting, worked example.
- Winter truce in France: what is suspended for the landlord
French winter truce, 1 November to 31 March: eviction is suspended, but not the proceedings or the debt. Time granted by the judge, exceptions, dated example.
- Formal notice to pay rent in France: deadline and effects
Commandement de payer in France: six weeks, or two months for a lease in progress on 29 July 2023. Required statements, guarantor, reporting, dated example.
Service charges
- Service charge reconciliation in France: how and until when
Annual service charge reconciliation in France: statement one month before, documents for six months, twelve instalments, three years to claim. Worked example.
- Recoverable service charges in France: the 1987 decree list
Service charges a French landlord can recover: the exhaustive list in the decree of 26 August 1987, eight headings, caretaker at 75% or 40%, repairs.
Security deposit
- Security deposit in France: what is the maximum amount?
One month’s rent excluding charges unfurnished, two furnished, none for a bail mobilité. No revision or interest; if the home is sold, the buyer returns it.
- Late return of the security deposit in France: the 10% increase
Deadline of one or two months after the keys are returned, then 10% of the monthly rent per month started. It can exceed the deposit. Exceptions and remedies.
Notice and end of lease
- Tenant’s notice in France: one month or three?
Three months for an unfurnished lease, one if furnished. Unfurnished drops to one month in high-demand areas or for a justified reason. Counted from receipt.
- Landlord’s notice in France: by what date must the tenant receive it?
Received six months before the end of an unfurnished lease, three if furnished, or the lease renews. Grounds, form, tenants over 65, homes bought occupied.
Energy rating (DPE) and renting
- Home rated G and a lease that renews in France: from when is it no longer compliant?
A lease signed before the ban continues; at its next renewal date the home rated G is no longer decent. Tenant remedies, rent freeze, timetable for F and E.
Buying a property
- French notary fees by département: 5%, 4.5% or 3.8%
Transfer duties: 5% in 89 départements, 4.5% in 11, 3.8% in the Indre. The rate of each one and what it means for a €200,000 purchase.
Tax on rental income
- LMNP capital gains: do pre-2025 depreciation deductions count?
Yes: for a sale since 15 February 2025, all depreciation deducted, including before 2025, lowers the purchase price used. Exceptions and a worked example.
- Micro-foncier or actual expenses: from what level of costs?
The réel regime gives a lower base once costs and loan interest exceed 30% of rents. Three examples on €9,600, the three-year option and the 2027 budget.