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Legal disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. French tenancy law changes regularly. Consult a qualified legal professional or your local ADIL (Agence Départementale d'Information sur le Logement) for advice specific to your situation.
Key takeaways
- Furnished apartment tenants (location meublée) must give one month's notice. Unfurnished tenants (location vide) must give three months, reduced to one in qualifying situations.
- The notice period starts on the date your landlord receives the letter, not the date you post it.
- The letter must be sent by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt (LRAR), by hand delivery with a signed receipt, or by a commissioner of justice. Email is not valid.
- To claim a reduced one-month notice for an unfurnished lease, you must include supporting documents with the letter. You cannot provide them afterwards.
- Bail mobilité contracts have a fixed end date: no notice letter is required.
- You do not need to give a reason for ending the lease as a tenant. The right to leave is unconditional.
Quick answer
In France, furnished apartment tenants give one month's notice; unfurnished tenants give three months, reduced to one in qualifying circumstances. Send a signed letter by registered post (LRAR). The notice period starts when the landlord receives it. Include your name, the property address, your contract date, and the exact end date of the notice period.
Overview
Ending a tenancy in France requires more than deciding to move out. French rental law sets strict rules for how notice must be given, in what form, and through which channel. A letter sent by ordinary post, or a message sent by email, is not a valid notice. Get the procedure wrong and you may find yourself liable for additional months of rent, or lose your legal standing if a dispute arises.
This guide is written for English-speaking tenants and expats renting in France, including people on short-term furnished contracts, professionals on international assignments, and long-term residents in unfurnished apartments. The rules covered here apply to residential tenancies governed by Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, the principal statute regulating private residential lettings in France. Furnished holiday lets, student residences, and bail mobilité contracts are addressed separately within the guide where relevant.
French tenancy law is strongly tenant-friendly. You have an unconditional right to leave at any time by giving the correct notice. No reason is required, and your landlord cannot refuse the notice. What matters is the procedure: the right letter, sent the right way, to the right address, at the right time.
Notice periods by lease type
The length of your notice period depends on the type of lease you hold. France draws a sharp distinction between furnished rentals (location meublée) and unfurnished rentals (location vide), and the rules differ significantly. Getting this right before you write anything is the single most important step.
Furnished apartments (location meublée)
One month. Under Article 25-8 of Loi n° 89-462, the notice period for any furnished apartment used as a principal residence is one month. This applies nationally, regardless of city, neighbourhood, or how long you have lived there. No reason is required. The period begins on the date the landlord receives your letter, not the date you post it.
In Paris, the median furnished tenancy lasts 3.0 months (Wunderflats internal data, Jun 2025–May 2026): right at the minimum meublé lease duration. This means most furnished tenants in Paris have the right to give one-month notice from day one, subject to delivering a valid termination letter.
Unfurnished apartments (location vide)
Three months. This is the default under Article 15 of Loi n° 89-462. However, French law recognises that certain life events make a three-month commitment impractical. In those cases, the period is reduced to one month, provided you state the reason in the letter and attach supporting evidence at the time of sending.
The qualifying circumstances are: property in a zone tendue, first employment contract, professional transfer, job loss or new employment following job loss, health condition requiring a move (with medical certificate), receipt of RSA or AAH benefits, allocation of social housing, or a domestic violence protection order.
Bail mobilité
No notice letter is needed. A bail mobilité is a fixed-term furnished contract (one to ten months) available to students, apprentices, interns, people on professional training, civic service volunteers, and employees on temporary secondment. It has a defined end date and cannot be renewed. The tenancy simply ends on that date. No LRAR, no notice period, no liability beyond the contract term. If you are unsure whether your contract qualifies, check the title and terms or ask your ADIL.
| Lease type | Standard notice | Reduced to 1 month when | Evidence required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meublé (furnished) | 1 month | Always 1 month. No reduction needed. | None required |
| Non-meublé: Zone tendue | 3 months | Property in a zone tendue (Décret n° 2023-822). Applies automatically. | State zone tendue in the letter; no further proof needed |
| Non-meublé: First job | 3 months | Obtaining a first employment contract | Copy of employment contract |
| Non-meublé: Transfer or new job after job loss | 3 months | Mutation professionnelle, job loss, or new employment following job loss | Employer letter, redundancy notice, or new contract |
| Non-meublé: Health | 3 months | Health condition requiring a change of residence | Medical certificate |
| Non-meublé: Social benefits or housing | 3 months | RSA or AAH recipient; HLM allocation | Benefit award letter or HLM allocation letter |
| Non-meublé: Domestic violence | 3 months | Protection order or criminal proceedings against a partner | Copy of court order or official document |
| Bail mobilité | No notice required | Fixed-term; ends on the agreed date | N/A |
Zone tendue and the one-month rule for unfurnished leases
A zone tendue is a designated tight rental market zone where housing demand significantly exceeds supply. Under Décret n° 2023-822 du 25 août 2023, tenants in an unfurnished lease in a zone tendue are automatically entitled to give only one month's notice, with no requirement to state a personal reason. This makes the zone tendue classification one of the most practically important rules for international tenants in major French cities.
Wunderflats has active furnished listings across France's zone tendue cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and Lille. If you are renting in or near any of these cities, there is a strong likelihood your property qualifies. Many suburban communes surrounding these cities are also included in the zone tendue perimeter.
To confirm your address, use the official simulator on Service-Public.fr. Enter your commune. The result is definitive for the purposes of your notice letter. If the result shows zone tendue, state this explicitly in your letter: for example, "conformément au décret n° 2023-822, le bien loué est situé en zone tendue." No other evidence is required.
Tip: Take a screenshot of the Service-Public.fr simulator result for your address and keep it with your letter copy. If a dispute arises about your reduced notice period, this is your evidence.
Zone tendue and furnished leases: The zone tendue designation is relevant only for unfurnished leases. If you are in a furnished apartment, your notice period is always one month regardless of location. The zone tendue classification also affects rent control and indexation rules, but those are outside the scope of this guide.
Wunderflats has active furnished listings in all of France's main zone tendue cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and Lille. (Wunderflats internal data, Jun 2025–May 2026)
What the letter must contain
French law does not prescribe mandatory wording, but court practice under Loi n° 89-462 makes certain elements essential. A letter missing any of these may be declared invalid, leaving you liable for additional rent. Nine items must be present.
- Your full name and address: Use the name as it appears on the lease. For joint leases, all co-tenants must sign or each must send a separate letter.
- Landlord's full name and address: Address the letter to the person or entity named in your rental contract. If your lease is managed by an agency, send the letter to the agency at its official address, not to the landlord directly.
- Full address of the rented property: Include apartment number and any additional address details exactly as shown on the contract.
- Date of the rental contract: This identifies which lease you are terminating, particularly relevant when a tenant has had more than one contract at the same address.
- A clear statement of intent to vacate: A phrase such as "Je vous notifie par la présente mon congé" or its plain-language equivalent. The letter must leave no doubt that you are terminating, not requesting a reduction or making a complaint.
- The exact end date of the notice period: State the day on which the notice period will expire. Calculate this from the anticipated receipt date, not from the date you are writing or posting the letter.
- Your handwritten signature: A typed-only letter without a wet signature is not sufficient.
- The date and place of writing: Use the French convention: city name, then "le" and the date (e.g. Paris, le 6 juillet 2026).
- Supporting documents (unfurnished reduced notice only): Attach copies, not originals, of the relevant evidence at the time of sending. Courts have consistently refused to accept documents submitted after the fact.
Tip: Keep a signed photocopy of the letter and all attachments before posting. Your LRAR receipt from La Poste and your copies together form your evidence in any subsequent dispute.
9-item letter checklist
Before sealing the envelope, confirm each of the following is present and correct:
- Your full name: exactly as it appears on the lease contract.
- Your current address: the property you are vacating.
- Landlord's full name and address: or the agency's official registered address if managed through an agency.
- Full address of the rented property: apartment number, floor, building reference if applicable.
- Date the lease was signed: found on the first page of your rental contract.
- Clear statement of intent to vacate: unambiguous language giving notice to terminate.
- End date of the notice period: the precise calendar date on which the notice expires, calculated from the expected receipt date.
- Date and place of writing: in the format "City, le DD Month YYYY."
- Handwritten signature: signed by all tenants named on the lease, or individual notices sent separately.
Letter templates (English and French)
Two versions follow: an English-language model for your reference, and the French-language version ready to adapt and send. The French version is the one to post. Replace every bracketed field with your own details.
English version (for reference)
[Your full name]
[Your address: number, street, postcode, city]
[Your email address]
[Your telephone number]
[Landlord's full name or agency name]
[Landlord's address: number, street, postcode, city]
[City], [date]
Subject: Notice to vacate given by tenant: one-month notice: furnished lease (bail meublé)
Dear Sir/Madam,
I hereby give you notice of my intention to vacate the property located at [full address of the rented property], which I have rented since [lease start date] under the tenancy agreement signed on [lease signature date].
In accordance with Article 25-8 of Law n° 89-462 of 6 July 1989, the applicable notice period for a furnished rental used as a principal residence is one month. Accordingly, I will vacate the property on [calculated end date], on which date I will return the keys and carry out the exit inspection (état des lieux de sortie).
I am available to agree a time for the exit inspection at your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
[Handwritten signature]
[Printed name]
French version (use this one)
[Votre prénom et nom]
[Votre adresse : numéro, rue, code postal, ville]
[Votre adresse e-mail]
[Votre numéro de téléphone]
[Nom complet du bailleur ou de l'agence]
[Adresse du bailleur ou de l'agence : numéro, rue, code postal, ville]
[Ville], le [date]
Objet : Congé donné par le locataire / préavis d'un mois / bail meublé
Madame, Monsieur,
Par la présente lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception, je vous notifie mon congé pour le logement situé au [adresse complète du logement loué], dont je suis locataire depuis le [date de début du bail], conformément au bail signé le [date de signature du bail].
Conformément à l'article 25-8 de la loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, le délai de préavis applicable aux locations meublées à usage de résidence principale est d'un mois. En conséquence, je quitterai les lieux le [date de fin du préavis calculée], date à laquelle je remettrai les clés et procéderai à l'état des lieux de sortie.
Je reste à votre disposition pour convenir d'une date pour l'état des lieux de sortie.
Dans l'attente de votre confirmation, je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.
[Signature manuscrite]
[Nom en lettres capitales]
For unfurnished leases with reduced notice (one month): After the second substantive paragraph, insert: "Je souhaite bénéficier du délai de préavis réduit d'un mois, conformément à l'article 15 de la loi n° 89-462, en raison de [state reason: e.g. mutation professionnelle / perte d'emploi / état de santé / zone tendue]. Vous trouverez ci-joint le justificatif correspondant." Attach a copy of the supporting document before sealing the envelope.
For the standard three-month unfurnished notice, change the subject line to "préavis de trois mois / bail vide" and replace the Article 25-8 reference with "Article 15 de la loi n° 89-462."
How to send the letter
The delivery method is not a formality. It determines whether your notice is legally valid, and it fixes the official start date of your notice period. Article 15 of Loi n° 89-462 permits three methods.
Registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (LRAR)
This is the most common and recommended method. Go to any La Poste branch, ask for a lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception, and pay the fee (typically 5–7 EUR in 2026, depending on weight). La Poste gives you a tracking number immediately. The landlord must sign for the letter, and the post office returns the signed slip (avis de réception) to you by post. The date stamped on that slip is the official start of your notice period.
One practical detail that catches many tenants: the notice period begins on the day the landlord receives the letter, not the day the receipt slip comes back to you. If the landlord is out when delivery is attempted, a collection notice is left and the start date is the day they visit the post office to collect it. Track delivery at laposte.fr using your tracking number.
Hand delivery (remise en main propre)
You can deliver the letter directly to your landlord and ask them to sign a receipt (récépissé) or to countersign a copy of the letter. The receipt must show the date. This works well when you have a cooperative landlord who is accessible in person. Do not use hand delivery without obtaining a signed and dated acknowledgement. A verbal confirmation that they received it offers no legal protection.
Commissioner of justice (commissaire de justice)
Formerly known as a huissier de justice, the commissaire de justice serves notice formally. This is the most legally robust method and worth the additional cost (typically 50–120 EUR) when a dispute is anticipated, when the landlord has been unresponsive, or when your timeline is tight. The notice period starts from the date of service, regardless of whether the landlord accepts the document.
Electronic registered letter: Since 2023, a registered electronic letter (lettre recommandée électronique) is also permitted if the landlord has previously agreed in writing to receive communications this way. In practice, most landlords have not made this agreement, so the physical LRAR remains the reliable default.
| Method | Legal validity | Notice period starts | Approx. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRAR (La Poste) | Valid | Date landlord collects letter | 5–7 EUR | Most situations |
| Hand delivery with signed receipt | Valid | Date on signed receipt | Free | Cooperative landlord, easy access |
| Commissioner of justice | Valid (most robust) | Date of service | 50–120 EUR | Disputed situations, unresponsive landlord |
| Simple email | Not valid | N/A | Free | Never acceptable under French law |
| Standard (non-registered) letter | Not valid | N/A | Free | Never acceptable under French law |
The LRAR is the right choice for the large majority of tenants. The commissioner of justice is worth the expense when there is a history of unresponsiveness or when any detail of the notice is likely to be challenged.
"The notice period starts on the date your landlord actually receives your letter, not the date you write or post it."
Process timeline
The full process from deciding to leave to handing back the keys typically spans four stages. Each stage has a clear purpose and a defined output.
| Stage | What happens | Typical timeframe | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Write the letter | Confirm lease type and notice period. Draft and sign the letter. Gather supporting documents if applicable. | 1–2 days | Signed letter, copies made |
| 2. Send the letter | Post by LRAR at La Poste. Receive tracking number. Keep all receipt documents. | Same day | LRAR tracking number and receipt |
| 3. Notice period runs | Period begins on receipt date. Continue paying rent and charges in full. Confirm receipt date via laposte.fr. Schedule exit inspection with landlord. | 1 month (meublé) or 3 months (non-meublé, standard) | Confirmed end date; exit inspection scheduled |
| 4. Vacate and état des lieux | On the last day of the notice period, carry out the exit inspection with the landlord or agent. Return keys. Retain your signed copy of the exit report. | Last day of notice period | Signed état des lieux de sortie; keys returned |
After the notice period ends
The last day of your notice period is one of the most legally significant days of your tenancy. Two things must happen: you must vacate the property, and you must complete the exit inspection (état des lieux de sortie) with your landlord or their agent.
The exit inspection (état des lieux de sortie)
The état des lieux de sortie records the condition of the property at the moment you leave and compares it against the entry inspection carried out when you moved in. It is the document on which any deposit deductions will be based. Attend in person. Check every room, every item of furniture, every appliance. Do not sign anything you disagree with. You have the right to add reservations or objections directly to the form before signing. If you and your landlord cannot agree, a commissioner of justice can conduct the inspection at an additional cost shared between the parties.
Normal wear and tear (vétusté) cannot be charged to you. French courts and ANIL guidance are clear on this. Marks on walls from hanging pictures, minor scuffs from normal use, or carpet wear consistent with the duration of the tenancy are wear and tear. Only damage beyond normal use can be deducted. If your landlord applies a deduction grid (grille de vétusté), agreed at the start of the tenancy, the amount chargeable reduces over time.
Deposit return timeline
Your deposit (caution or dépôt de garantie) must be returned within one month of the exit inspection if no damage was identified, or within two months if deductions are made. Any deductions must be itemised with supporting estimates or invoices. If the landlord misses the deadline, they owe you interest at the French legal rate plus a penalty of 10% of the monthly rent for each month of delay, under Article 22 of Loi n° 89-462. Keep your signed exit inspection report and your forwarding address letter as your primary evidence.
Tip: Send your new address to your landlord in writing (an email is acceptable for this specific purpose, since it is not a formal notice but a communication of information) as soon as you have it. The deposit return deadline only starts from when the landlord has your forwarding address.
Common mistakes that invalidate a termination letter
These are the errors that most frequently result in a notice being declared invalid, leaving tenants liable for additional rent. Each one is avoidable.
Sending by email or standard post. A notice sent by ordinary email or non-registered letter has no legal standing under Loi n° 89-462. Even if your landlord acknowledges receiving it, that acknowledgement cannot substitute for the formal delivery requirement. If you have already sent a notice by email, send an LRAR immediately and treat the LRAR receipt date as the official start of your notice period.
Counting the notice period from the postmark date. This is the most common calculation error. The notice period does not start when you post the letter. It starts when the landlord receives it, which can be two to five working days later. If you count from the postmark, your stated end date will be earlier than the law permits, and you may find yourself in rent arrears for the gap.
Claiming a reduced notice without attaching supporting documents. For an unfurnished lease, the one-month reduced notice is not automatic (except in a zone tendue). You must state the reason and attach proof at the moment of sending. French courts have consistently ruled that documents submitted after the fact are inadmissible. If you claim a reduced notice without evidence, the full three-month period applies from the date of receipt.
Sending to the wrong address. If your lease is managed by an agency, the notice must be sent to the agency's official address, not to the landlord directly. Check your lease or your most recent rental correspondence to confirm the correct recipient. A notice sent to the wrong address is invalid even if it is received.
Only one co-tenant signing a joint lease. In a joint tenancy, all co-tenants must give notice. If only one tenant signs, the notice is valid for that individual only. The other co-tenants remain bound by the lease. Each co-tenant should either sign the same letter or send a separate LRAR.
Leaving before the notice period ends without written agreement. Even after posting the letter, you are legally responsible for rent and charges until the final day of the notice period. Leaving early does not end your liability. If both parties agree to an early release, confirm it in writing and keep a copy of the landlord's agreement. Without it, the landlord is entitled to charge for the full notice period.
FAQs about lease termination in France
How much notice do I need to give to leave a furnished apartment in France?
For a furnished apartment (location meublée) that is your principal residence, the notice period is one month. This applies regardless of the city or region. You do not need to give a reason for leaving. The one-month period begins on the day your landlord actually receives your letter, not the day you send it.
If you send your letter by registered post (LRAR) and the landlord is not home when delivery is attempted, the notice period does not start until they collect the letter from the post office. During the notice period you continue to pay rent and charges in full, even if you have already moved out. The notice cannot be shortened by mutual agreement unless the landlord agrees in writing to release you from the remaining days.
This one-month standard is set by Article 25-8 of Loi n° 89-462 and has been unchanged for furnished principal residences since the ALUR law of 2014. Wunderflats internal data for Jun 2025–May 2026 shows the median furnished tenancy in Paris lasts exactly 3.0 months, right at the minimum lease duration. This means most furnished tenants in Paris are entitled to give one-month notice from day one of their lease, provided they deliver a valid termination letter through the correct channel.
What must a tenant termination letter include to be legally valid in France?
A legally valid congé letter under Loi n° 89-462 must include your full name and current address, the landlord's full name and address, the full address of the rented property, the date of your rental contract, a clear statement that you are giving notice to terminate the lease, the exact date on which the notice period ends, your handwritten signature, and the date and place of writing.
For unfurnished leases where you are claiming a reduced one-month notice period due to a special reason (job loss, new employment, professional transfer, health, RSA, AAH, social housing allocation, or domestic violence), you must also state the reason in the letter body and attach documentary proof. Without the supporting document, the standard three-month period applies. Courts have consistently ruled that justification documents cannot be submitted after the letter has been sent.
The date on which rent is paid each month does not affect the end date of the notice: it runs for the exact number of calendar months from the date of receipt. There is no legal requirement to use specific French legal language, but the letter must leave no ambiguity about your intention to terminate the tenancy and vacate the property.
Can I send my French lease termination letter by email?
No. A simple email is not legally valid for giving notice in France. Under Article 15 of Loi n° 89-462, notice must be given by one of three accepted methods: a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception, or LRAR), hand delivery against a signed receipt or countersignature from the landlord, or formal notification by a commissioner of justice (commissaire de justice).
Since 2023, a registered electronic letter (lettre recommandée électronique) is also accepted if the landlord has previously agreed in writing to receive communications this way. In practice, the vast majority of landlords have not made this agreement, so the physical LRAR posted at a La Poste branch remains the standard and safe choice. It creates a timestamped, auditable delivery record accepted by every French court.
Never rely on email or a standard non-registered letter, even if your landlord informally acknowledges receipt. If a dispute later arises about the notice start date or its validity, an email acknowledgement will not protect you. If you have already sent notice by email, send an LRAR immediately and use the LRAR receipt date as your official start date.
When does my notice period start in France?
The notice period starts on the date your landlord actually receives your letter, not the date you write it or drop it at the post office. This is confirmed by Service-Public.fr and is consistent with French court decisions under Article 15 of Loi n° 89-462.
For a registered letter (LRAR), the date of receipt is the date La Poste stamps when the landlord collects the letter. If the landlord is absent when delivery is attempted and a collection slip is left, the start date is the day they visit the post office to collect it, not the day the slip was left. This distinction is frequently misunderstood and can push your end date later than you anticipated.
A practical consequence: if you want your notice period to end on the last day of a given month, ensure the landlord receives the letter on or before the first day of that same month (for a one-month notice), or three months before (for a three-month notice). Build in a few extra days to account for postal delays and the possibility that the landlord is temporarily absent. Track delivery at laposte.fr using the tracking number on your LRAR receipt.
Can I reduce my three-month notice period for an unfurnished apartment in France?
Yes. For an unfurnished (location vide) apartment, the standard notice period is three months, but it can be reduced to one month in several situations set out in Article 15 of Loi n° 89-462. The qualifying grounds are: your property is in a zone tendue (as defined by Décret n° 2023-822 of 25 August 2023); you have obtained your first employment contract; you have a professional transfer (mutation professionnelle); you have lost your job or obtained new employment following a job loss; a medical certificate from a doctor confirms that your health requires a change of residence; you receive RSA or AAH; you have been allocated social housing (HLM); or you benefit from a domestic violence protection order.
In every case, you must state the reason clearly in the letter and attach documentary proof at the time of sending. You cannot provide the justification separately at a later date. French courts have consistently ruled against tenants who attempted to supplement a notice with documents submitted afterwards.
To check whether your property qualifies as zone tendue, use the Service-Public.fr simulator. If it does, no further personal justification is needed: simply stating the zone tendue designation in the letter is sufficient. Wunderflats has active furnished listings across France's zone tendue cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and Lille.
What happens if my landlord refuses to sign the acknowledgement of receipt for my LRAR?
If your landlord does not collect the registered letter from the post office, or refuses to sign for it, the notice is not yet legally valid and the notice period has not started. La Poste holds the letter for 15 days after the first delivery attempt. If it remains uncollected, the letter is returned to you marked as non réclamé (uncollected).
In this situation, you have two reliable options. First, instruct a commissioner of justice (commissaire de justice) to serve the notice formally. The notice period starts from the date of service, regardless of whether the landlord accepts the document. This is the most legally secure route when a landlord is deliberately avoiding receipt. Second, attempt hand delivery directly and ask for a signed, dated receipt. Keep a copy of whatever is signed.
If neither option is immediately accessible, document every attempt carefully: date, method, tracking number, and the landlord's response or lack of one. Contact your local ADIL (Agence Départementale d'Information sur le Logement). Every department in France has an ADIL office offering free legal advice to tenants, and they can advise on the specific steps appropriate to your situation.
Do I have to give a reason for ending my lease in France?
No. As a tenant, you have an unconditional right to end your lease at any time, and you do not need to explain why. This applies to both furnished and unfurnished leases. The requirement to justify giving notice falls only on landlords, who under Article 15 of Loi n° 89-462 must cite one of three grounds: sale of the property, reclaiming it for personal use (reprise), or a serious and legitimate reason such as persistent rent arrears.
As a tenant, you simply state that you are giving notice and specify the date on which the period ends. The only exception is if you want to claim a reduced one-month notice for an unfurnished lease on personal grounds. In that case, you must state and document the specific legal ground at the time of sending. But for a furnished apartment, no reason is ever needed, and the one-month period applies automatically.
This unconditional right to leave makes furnished tenancies particularly practical for international tenants whose plans can change at short notice. The average monthly rent on Wunderflats Paris listings is 2,398 EUR (median 1,995 EUR, Jun 2025–May 2026), reflecting a premium market where the flexibility of a short notice period has real financial value.
What happens after my notice period ends in France?
On the last day of your notice period, you vacate the property and carry out the exit inspection (état des lieux de sortie) with your landlord or their agent. This document compares the property's condition against the entry inspection recorded when you moved in. Attend in person. Check every room, every appliance, and every item of furniture. Do not sign anything you dispute. You can add written reservations directly to the form before signing. Your signature does not waive your right to challenge deductions later, but reservations in writing are stronger evidence.
Normal wear and tear cannot be charged to you. Only damage beyond expected use for the duration of the tenancy is deductible. Your landlord must provide itemised estimates or invoices for any deductions claimed.
The deposit return deadline is one month from the exit inspection if no damage is found, or two months if deductions are made. If the landlord misses the deadline, you are entitled to interest at the legal rate plus a 10% monthly rent penalty for each month of delay (Article 22 of Loi n° 89-462). Keep your signed exit inspection copy and notify your landlord of your new address in writing as soon as it is confirmed: the deposit return clock runs from the date they receive your forwarding address.
What is a bail mobilité and do I need to give notice for it?
A bail mobilité is a short-term furnished lease introduced by the ELAN law of 2018 and governed by Article 25-8 of Loi n° 89-462. It is available to specific categories of tenant: students, apprentices, interns, people on professional training or civic service (service civique), and employees on temporary secondment. The contract lasts between one and ten months and cannot be renewed.
Because it is a fixed-term contract with a defined end date, no termination letter is required. The tenancy simply ends on the agreed final day. You do not need to send an LRAR, and you are not liable for any notice period beyond the contract end date. No deposit (caution) is permitted under a bail mobilité, though a guarantor may be required.
If you are unsure whether your contract qualifies as a bail mobilité, check the title at the top of your contract document. It should be clearly labelled "bail mobilité" or include a reference to the ELAN law of 2018. If the document calls itself a bail meublé classique or uses different language, the standard one-month notice rules for furnished leases apply. When in doubt, contact your ADIL for a free assessment.
Sources
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 tendant à améliorer les rapports locatifs, Légifrance
- Article 15, Loi n° 89-462 (notice periods, grounds for reduction), Légifrance
- Article 25-8, Loi n° 89-462 (furnished lease notice, bail mobilité), Légifrance
- Décret n° 2023-822 du 25 août 2023 (zone tendue commune list), Légifrance
- Notice and formalities: leave given by the tenant (residential lease), Service-Public.fr
- The tenant's notice must be submitted before the notice period begins, Service-Public.fr
- Zone tendue simulator, Service-Public.fr
- Fin du bail pour une location meublée, ANIL
- Préavis et fin de bail pour une location vide, ANIL
- Comment résilier le bail de sa location, ANIL
- Wunderflats internal data (BigQuery), Jun 2025–May 2026 (Paris furnished rental market: median tenancy duration 3.0 months, average rent 2,398 EUR/month, median rent 1,995 EUR/month)
