Rental Contract
Since July 1989, all French rental contracts must be in written form and contain certain details. In addition, landlords are not allowed to include unfair clauses in the rental contract. These are clauses which would benefit the landlord at the unfair expense of the tenant. The rental contract should always include the following details:
- details of the property
- the names and addresses of both the tenant and the landlord
- the rental price
- the amount of the deposit
- details of payment term
- the details of the annual rental price review
- the date on which the tenant can enter the property
- details of the rental period
- details of the property such as the number of rooms, any equipment, garage, cellar, and/or attic
Usually, the lease term will be for three years, and will be automatically renewed if neither party terminates the contract.
If the apartment is new, or being rented out for the first time, the owner is entitled to fix a price themselves. Otherwise, the rent must be in line with the usual rental prices in the neighbourhood. Once a year there will be a rental price review. It will take place either on the date indicated in the contract or, if it is not indicated, on the anniversary of the signing of the contract.
The tenant can ask the landlord for a bill detailing all charges, such as rent, service charges and VAT.
The tenant must pay a security deposit at the beginning of the tenancy. This is equal to one month's basic rent, that is, without extra charges. If the apartment is still in its original state at the end of the tenancy, this deposit will be reimbursed within two months of the end of the tenancy.
For details of how to cancel your rental contract, see:
