Tenant’s notice in France: one month or three?

The nine-month student lease and the bail mobilité are no exception: the tenant can leave before the end, on one month’s notice. Furnished Bail mobilité

The reason and the proof have to be in the notice letter when it is sent. For health, the law names a medical certificate. Without proof in the letter, the law applies three months, even if the reason is real.

A high-demand area is a separate case: no reason is required. A tenant who simply wants to move leaves on one month’s notice if their town is on the list. Service-public only asks that the letter give the address of the home and state the reduced period. Fiche F1168

The list of towns is set by decree and has changed several times, most recently at the end of 2025. The service-public simulator gives the answer town by town. High-demand area simulator

On the day the landlord receives the registered letter, is served the bailiff’s deed, or is handed the letter against a signed receipt. A plain e-mail does not count as notice.

It is counted from date to date, weekends and public holidays included. When the day does not exist in the final month, the notice ends on the last day of that month: a letter received on 31 March 2027 gives a one-month notice ending on 30 April 2027.

The tenant owes rent and charges until the end of the notice period, even after moving out. One exception: a new tenant moves in before that date with the landlord’s agreement. The rent then stops on their arrival.

The last, incomplete month is paid by the day: a notice ending on the 14th gives 14/30 or 14/31 of the rent. The deposit cannot be used to pay this last rent.

The return period does not start at the end of the notice but when the keys are handed back: one month if the check-out report matches the check-in report, two months otherwise.