Unpaid rent and housing benefit in France: what changes on 1 January 2027
From 1 January 2027, unpaid rent by a tenant receiving housing benefit counts as “established” once it exceeds €450, or three months after a first missed payment, whatever the amount. Until 31 December 2026, the threshold is a debt equal to two months of rent and charges. A landlord who receives the benefit has two months to report it.
Key points
More than €450 — Or three months after a first missed payment, from 1 January 2027.
Two months to report — For a landlord who receives the benefit. Unchanged in 2027.
When does unpaid rent count as established?
€1,000
Until 31 December 2026
Benefit paid to the landlord: two months of rent and charges, benefit deducted. Rent €650, charges €50, benefit €200: 2 × €500.
€1,400
Benefit paid to the tenant
Until 31 December 2026: two months of rent and charges, without deducting the benefit.
€450
From 1 January 2027
Above €450, or three months after a first missed payment, whatever the amount. In the example, one unpaid month is enough (€500).
Until 31 December 2026: article R824-1. From 1 January 2027: article R824-2.
Who reports it, and by when?§
A landlord who receives the benefit on the tenant’s behalf refers the situation to the Caf within two months of the unpaid rent being established, unless the debt has been settled in the meantime. The deadline is the same before and after 1 January 2027.
What the Caf does from 2027§
CCAPEX informed within fifteen days
The Caf informs the eviction-prevention coordination committee (CCAPEX) within fifteen days of the landlord’s report.From the first known missed payment
It also informs the committee as soon as it learns of a missed payment, even if the unpaid rent is not yet established. Article R824-5 (2027)
Is the Caf’s guide up to date?
The landlord’s guide published by the Caf in 2024 describes the two-months-of-rent rule. It remains valid until 31 December 2026. Decree no. 2026-84 of 12 February 2026 replaces it for unpaid rent reported from 1 January 2027.
CAF rent certificate: what the landlord fills inRent paid in part? That calls for a receipt
Enter the amount received: if it is less than the total, the template issues a receipt for partial payment. Free, no sign-up.
General information on French law, up to date as of 28 October 2026. This is not legal advice: for a specific situation, a lawyer, a notary, a commissaire de justice (bailiff) or the ADIL of your département (free consultation) can answer you.
Legal texts and sources (7)
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article R824-1, en vigueur jusqu’au 31 décembre 2026 (seuil de l’impayé)
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article R824-4, en vigueur jusqu’au 31 décembre 2026 (signalement dans les deux mois)
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article R824-6, en vigueur jusqu’au 31 décembre 2026 (défaut de signalement)
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article R824-2 au 1er janvier 2027 (décret n° 2026-84 du 12 février 2026)
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article R824-3 au 1er janvier 2027 (signalement dans les deux mois)
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, articles R824-4 et R824-5 au 1er janvier 2027 (information de la CCAPEX)
- Caf, guide du bailleur (2024), pages 13 et 14 (règle en vigueur avant 2027)