Security deposit in France: what is the maximum amount?
One month’s rent excluding charges for an unfurnished letting, two months for a furnished one, nothing for a bail mobilité. The amount is set at signing and stays the same until the tenant leaves, even if the rent goes up in the meantime.
How much, depending on the lease?§
1 month
Unfurnished letting
Of rent excluding charges. Rent of €800 plus €60 of charges: €800 at most.
2 months
Furnished letting
Still excluding charges. Rent of €700: €1,400 at most.
€0
Bail mobilité
The lease even has to state that the landlord cannot ask for one.
The deposit is paid at signing, by the tenant or by a third party: the Loca-Pass advance from Action Logement or the housing solidarity fund (FSL), for tenants on modest incomes. Furnished Bail mobilité
Rent paid quarterly: is a deposit possible?§
No. When rent is payable in advance for more than two months, the law prohibits a deposit.
The rent went up: does the deposit follow?§
No. The deposit cannot be revised during the lease or when it is renewed. A lease signed at €800 whose rent has been revised three times keeps a deposit of €800.
It earns no interest for the tenant: the amount returned is the amount paid, minus justified deductions.
Can the tenant keep their last month’s rent instead?§
The keys are back: what is the deadline for the deposit?
Rent, amount to return, date the keys were handed back: the deadline and the increase if late, no sign-up.
And if I sell the let home?§
The buyer returns the deposit to the tenant, even if the seller never passed the money on. An agreement to the contrary between seller and buyer only binds the two of them: it changes nothing for the tenant.
The same rule applies if the home changes owner without a sale, for example by gift. Fiche F31269
Within what period must it be returned?§
One month after the keys are returned if the move-out inspection matches the move-in one, two months otherwise. Each month started late costs 10% of the rent.
Deposit returned late: how the increase is calculatedGeneral information on French law, up to date as of 5 November 2026. This is not legal advice: for a specific situation, a lawyer, a notary or the ADIL of your département (free consultation) can answer you.
Legal texts and sources (6)
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, article 22, version en vigueur depuis le 27 mars 2014 (montant, paiement d’avance, absence d’intérêts et de révision, vente du logement)
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, article 25-6, version en vigueur depuis le 27 mars 2014 (location meublée : deux mois)
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, article 25-13, version en vigueur depuis le 25 novembre 2018 (bail mobilité : mention de l’interdiction du dépôt)
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, article 25-12, version en vigueur depuis le 24 août 2022 (articles applicables au bail mobilité)
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, article 7, version en vigueur depuis le 15 juin 2025 (paiement mensuel à la demande du locataire)
- Service-public.fr, fiche F31269 : dépôt de garantie dans un bail d’habitation (vérifiée le 9 juin 2026)