Useful information
FAQ tenant

With thirty years of experience with multinational expatriates looking for long-term furnished apartments in Paris, here are some of the most frequently asked questions by tenants:

If you need to break the lease on your furnished rental, you must provide your landlord with registered notice at least 1 month in advance. Make sure to review the terms in your lease agreement to determine the notice period, or préavis.

 

 
 
*in bold to be replaced
 
Your name
Telephone number
Address
Landlord Name and
Address
 
Subject: Termination of Furnished Lease
Registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt
city, date
 
Dear,
 
By this letter, I inform you of my wish to terminate our lease of the apartment located at: apartment address that I occupy since starting date on lease.
 
This termination will be effective as of move-out date in accordance with the 1 month notice period to which I am bound.
 
I am at your disposal to decide a date for the inventory the premises at your convenience.
 
Best regards,
 
Your signature
Your name

 

 

If you need to break the lease on your furnished rental, you must provide your landlord with registered notice at least 1 month in advance. Make sure to review the terms in your lease agreement to determine the notice period, or préavis. For this type of notice, request a letter recommandée avec accusé de réception (registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt) from your local post office.

If your relocation is for business, or due to job loss, the law allows just 1 month’s notice, in both circumstances. Although not always necessary, be prepared to justify your relocation with your contract, stating the date of the end of your work or studies in Paris.

- See more at: http://www.parisrental.com/blog/letter/terminating-the-lease-on-your-furnished-rental/#sthash.yjMrBXDT.dpuf

If you need to break the lease on your furnished rental, you must provide your landlord with registered notice at least 1 month in advance. Make sure to review the terms in your lease agreement to determine the notice period, or préavis. For this type of notice, request a letter recommandée avec accusé de réception (registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt) from your local post office.

If your relocation is for business, or due to job loss, the law allows just 1 month’s notice, in both circumstances. Although not always necessary, be prepared to justify your relocation with your contract, stating the date of the end of your work or studies in Paris.

- See more at: http://www.parisrental.com/blog/letter/terminating-the-lease-on-your-furnished-rental/#sthash.yjMrBXDT.

If you need to break the lease on your furnished rental, you must provide your landlord with registered notice at least 1 month in advance. Make sure to review the terms in your lease agreement to determine the notice period, or préavis. For this type of notice, request a letter recommandée avec accusé de réception (registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt) from your local post office.

If your relocation is for business, or due to job loss, the law allows just 1 month’s notice, in both circumstances. Although not always necessary, be prepared to justify your relocation with your contract, stating the date of the end of your work or studies in Paris.

- See more at: http://www.parisrental.com/blog/letter/terminating-the-lease-on-your-furnished-rental/#sthash.yjMrBXDT.dpuf

The security deposit is paid by the tenant to the landlord upon signing the lease. According to the law, the deposit must not exceed one month's rent excluding charges for empty rentals and two months' rent for furnished rentals. It is used to cover possible damage found at the tenant’s departure.

The security deposit is subject to strict rules:

  • The tenant can in no case use the deposit as rent at the end of the lease.
  • The landlord can not keep all or part of the security deposit unless proving the repairs needed for the restoration of housing by the comparison with the intory of the premises done upon entering the apartment and by the corresponding invoice.

In case of dispute, the tenant can refer to the Departmental Commission of Cooperation or to the Judge of proximity.

Once the tenant has given the keys of the apartment back to the owner, the securit deposit must be returned to him within 1 month if the inventory of premises has been satisfactory, and within 2 months if differences are noticeable between the state of the apartment at entry and exit, outside of normal wear and tear. If the owner is late refunding the deposit, the tenant must ask for its restitution in a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.

* To replace
 
Your name
Your phone
Your Address
 
(Name and address of the owner)
 
Subject: Request for the return of the security deposit
Registered letter with Acknowledgment of Receipt - # RAR
 
city, date
Dear,
 
To date, my security deposit in the amount of {indicate amount owed} during my rental of {adresse}, has not been returned to me..
 
For the record, I remind you that a contradictory inventory was established on {date}. The keys have been delivered on the {date of delivery of the keys}.
 
The inventory of premises established upon exit is in conformity with the inventory of premises of entry. Thus, according to article 22 of the law of July 6, 1989, the return of the security deposit must occur within one month of the handing over of the keys to the landlord or representant; otherwise, the amount due will be increased by 10% of the monthly rent excluding charge, for each month of delay. To date, the delay has been exceeded by {number of days}.
 
I therefore invite you to return my security deposit plus {10% x number of months late} n a period of one week from receipt of this letter.
 
Otherwise, I will go to the competent court.
 
Cordially yours,
 
(tenant’s signature)
Your name

 

 

Allows a person to declare himself/herself as a Guarantor (simple or solidary) of a tenant. The letter is given to the landlord.

 
Your name
Telephone number
Address
 
Landlord Name and Address
 
Objet: Lettre d'engagement Caution Solidaire
Lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception
 
A ville, le date
[Dear ]
 
I, the undersigned, [surname, first name and date of birth of the person who endorses] certify that I have read the lease attached hereto and declare that I am a [joint or simple] surety for [surname, first name of the tenant] for the benefit of the landlord [surname, first name, address] of the dwelling [address of the rented accommodation]..
 
I have read the rent amount of [amount of rent] by [payment period]. It will be reviewed annually every [date of revision] according to the reference index of rents published by INSEE of [date of the reference period of the IRL indicated on the lease].
 
I agree to refund on my income and on my personal belongings the amounts due by the tenant [name and surname] in case of failure of the latter. I confirm that I am fully aware of the nature and extent of my commitment.
 
This commitment for a bond [simple / joint] is valid [for an indefinite period / until ...] for the payment in particular of rents (even revised), recoverable charges, degradations, and rental repairs and costs of proceedings, indemnities, penalties and damages.
 
I also acknowledge that I have read the paragraph of article 22-1 of the law of 6 July 1989.
 
Made in [number of parties to the act (lessor, tenant, surety, ...)] copies.
 
Done at [place of drafting] on [date of writing],
 

Your Signature
Your name

 

 

The Insurance Code (Article L. 113-1) provides that the exclusions of guarantee must be formal and limited. If your insurance company objects to a reimbursement based on a warranty exclusion, read the terms of your contract carefully.
Ex : Theft may not be guarantee if the shutters were not closed during an absence of more than twenty-four hours. But if the clause in your contract stipulates that "All usual and reasonable precautions for the safekeeping of insured property must have been taken" it will not do. Indeed, the clause is not circumscribed to a specific area and is subject to interpretation. In such a case, do not hesitate to dispute with your insurance company in case it cites this clause for not compensating you.

 

 
Votre nom
Téléphone
Adresse
 
Name and address of the recipient
 
Recommended letter with receipt note
 
city, date
Dear,
 
In the referenced file (claim and contract file numbers), you refuse to implement the guarantee (mention the guarantee concerned: theft, water damage ...) on the grounds that (quote or reformulate the clause at issue).
 
This clause does not cover a sufficiently specific area, and is subject to interpretation. Yet, the Article L. 113-1 of the Insurance Code requires that the exclusions provided for in insurance contracts be formal and limited to be valid.
 
To the extent that this clause is not precise, you can not invoke it in order not to reimburse me.
I therefore demand that you review your position.
 
Looking forward to your reply, please accept, Madam, Sir, my best regards.
 
Done at [ place of drafting ] on [date of writing] ,

Signature
Your Name

 

 

In terms of home insurance, certain criteria allow the insurer to assess the risk. This is true of the living space or the value of the furniture of a house.

In the event of a change in the risk entailed, the insurer must be notified by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt in order that you’d be covered in the event of a claim. Upon receipt of your report of home modifications, the insurer will adjust the contract and adjust the contribution, if necessary.

Attention: if you do not declare the changes, the consequences can go from a reduction of the insurance compensation to the cancellation of the contract in case of disaster. Even if the element not declared was without influence on the disaster!

To determine whether or not there is a change in the risks involved with the modifications in your home, refer to the form filled with the insurer when you signed the policy. Keep a copy of the risk declaration form.

 

 
Your name
Phone Number
Address
 
Name and address of the recipient
 
Registered letter with receipt note
 
city, date
Dear,
 
I am insured with your company for (my home ...) under the number (reference of the contract).
 
Since the (date of modification of the risk), (explain precisely the modification: I did build a mezzanine, ...).
 
You will find attached (invoice of works, ...).
 
I would therefore be grateful if you would kindly inform me of the impact of this change on my contract and I remain at your disposal for any further information.
Looking forward to your reply, please accept, Madam, Sir, the expression of my best regards.
 
Done at [ place of drafting] on [place of writing] ,

Signature
Your name

 

(texte inspiré de l’INC Institut National de la Consommation)

 

As soon as you discover a theft in your home, make an inventory of stolen property and of deteriorated fixutes such as doors, windows …, and take pictures. Then go and make a statement of theft to the nearest police station.

Be careful to keep the receipt of your statement in order to send it to your insurer by registered letter.

Beware : Deadlines for declaration of thefts are short, even if they cannot be inferior to forty-eight hours from the discovery of the disaster (article L. 113-2, 4 ° of the insurance code). Check your contract and be reactive! If you don’t find your contract, don’t waste time anyway.

 

Your name
Phone
Address
 
Name and address of the recipient
 
Registered letter with receipt
 
town, date
Dear,
 
On (date of discovery of the incident), I discovered that my home had been burgled. (Briefly explain the circumstances of the incident). My home is insured (name of the insurance company and number of the insurance contract).
 
I have not been able to make a complete inventory of stolen or damaged property yet, but here is a list and a first assessment (list the stolen or damaged items and give an assessment of your damage). As soon as I have made a complete inventory, I will send you the complete list and the necessary proofs to take care of value (invoices, photos...).
 
Also, please find attached the receipt of complaint to the police station (attach a copy of the document and keep the original). I remain at your disposal for any necessary clarification .
 
Cordially yours,
 
Done at [ place of drafting] on [place of writing] ,

Signature
Your name

 

The prescription for a claim is for a period of two years. The actions taken following the event that gave birth to them are prescribed by two years (Article L. 114-1 of the Insurance Code).

However, this prescription is interrupted if you send a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt concerning the payment of compensation (Article L. 114-2 of the Insurance Code). Then, a new period of two years will begin to run. So, if you are in negotiation with your insurer and that the deadline comes to an end, write to him by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt to make the delay reappear. Be sure to preserve the postal receipt.

 

Your name
Phone
Address
 
Name and address of the recipient
 
Recommended letter with receipt note
town, date
Dear,
 
I come back to you with regard to the referenced incident (number of the claim file).
 
I would like to remind you that, unless I am mistaken, I still have not been compensated.
 
I therefore ask you to do what is necessary to pay me the sum of (indicate precisely the amount of compensation you expect) to repair the damage suffered, as soon as possible.
 
Looking forward to your reply, please accept, Madam, Sir, my regards.
 
 
Done at [ place of drafting] on [place of writing] ,

Signature
Your name

 

You can cancel your comprehensive homeowner's policy before it expires and your insurance company must reimburse you the portion of the current premium beyond the date of termination of your contract. However, you must give the reason for your cancellation: for example, moving, changing profession; provided, however, that these changes affect the previously guaranteed risk.

Your request for cancellation must be made, by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, within three months of the change of your situation; it will take effect one month after receipt by the insurer. Article L. 113-16 of the Insurance Code provides for other cases than the change of domicile to authorize termination during the contract.

 

Your name
Phone
Address
 
Name and address of the recipient
 
Registered letter with receipt note
 
town, date
Dear,
 
From (date), I will no longer occupy the insured apartment with your company under the contract number (reference of the contract). Indeed, (indicate your new situation and explain as precisely as possible how this change will modify your previous situation).
 
I therefore wish to terminate my home insurance contract with your company, in accordance with Article L. 113-16 of the Insurance Code.
 
I thank you in advance for kindly sending me the amount of the contribution corresponding to the period during which the guarantee will no longer be applied, as well as a cancellation rider.
 
Please accept, Madam, Sir, the expression of my best regards.
 
 
Done at [ place of drafting] le [date of writing] ,

Signature
Your name

 

Your name
Your phone number
Address

 

Landlord Name and Address

Recommended letter with receipt note

City, date

Dear Madam, Dear Sir,

 

You sent me an adjustment of charges for the years (...-...) which shows that I still owe you (...) euros.

(Optional) Let me remind you that the payment of charges, such as rent, is prescribed by three years. I, therefore, consider that I owe you nothing for the years (...-...). 

However, this balance being essential for me, I suggest that you reimburse you, at the rate of (...) monthly payments of (...) euros, of which I am sending you today the first.

Please accept, Madam, Sir, the expression of my best regards.


Signature

Your name

Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The difference between the purchase price of a property and its resale price.

A portion of the total costs incumbent upon the tenant.

These include the services related to the use of different elements of the rented property (caretaker, elevator maintenance and electricity of common areas) and the taxes corresponding to services that directly benefit the tenant (fee for garbage collection).

State official working under the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. Its function is to enforce the laws pertaining to architecture (such as historical monuments), to determine and to direct the maintenance of a property, and to execute the repair of specific buildings and national palaces.