Rental debt

Unpaid rent and housing subsidies: the rules will change

Publié le 06 mars 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The triggering thresholds for an unpaid rent situation will change in January 2027. When they are reached, these thresholds allow a landlord to receive directly the personal housing assistance that his tenant receives. Public Service explain.

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A new definition of the unpaid rent situation was introduced by a decree of 12 February 2026.

At present, for the family allowance funds (Caf) and the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA), an unpaid amount is established when the accumulated debt of a tenant reaches twice the amount of the rent (including charges), after deduction of the personal housing assistance received (personalized housing assistance, the family housing allowance or social housing allowance).

From 1er January 2027, an outstanding amount will be established:

  • as soon as the accumulated debt exceeds €450 (rent and charges);
  • or as soon as a tenant has accumulated 3 months of default (even if the total amount is less than 450 €).

Reminder

When a tenant receives personal housing assistance and a situation of unpaid rent is established, the owner of the dwelling is required to notify the Caf or the MSA, depending on the organization concerned. He has 2 months to do so; if he does not respect this deadline, a fine can be imposed.

The two-month period allows, in particular, the implementation, as soon as possible, of a debt clearance plan between the owner and the tenant, in other words the establishment of a repayment schedule.

What are the consequences of unpaid rent on the payment of housing subsidies?

Currently, when personal housing assistance is paid to the tenant (and not directly to the landlord), the Caf or the MSA must propose to the landlord to obtain payment of this aid in the place of the tenant, once the report of unpaid payment has been made. The decree of 12 February 2026 confirms this procedure.

This decree also specifies the conditions for maintaining the payment of personal housing assistance. The following principle is established: from 1er In January 2027, a tenant receiving this aid will continue to receive it if they are in arrears of rent, even if the lease is terminated. However, the Commission for the Coordination of Actions to Prevent Rental Evictions may decide to suspend the payment of aid, in particular:

  • in case of proven bad faith of the tenant concerning his financial situation (this bad faith can be noted in particular by the over-indebtedness commission);
  • in the event of disturbances of enjoyment (excessive noise, deterioration of the dwelling, etc.) caused by the tenant and established by a judicial decision of eviction which has become final (a judicial decision which is no longer subject to an appeal with suspensive effect).

The new rules apply to unpaid amounts that will be reported from 1er January 2027.

Currently, under a debt-repayment plan, for example, the payment of personal housing assistance is maintained if the following two conditions are met:

  • the clearance plan is respected and approved by the Caf (or the MSA);
  • the tenant has resumed payment of the current rent.

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