Payment of rent by the tenant (residential lease)
Verified 24 February 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
When the tenant uses the accommodation as principal residenceHowever, he must pay the rent on the date indicated on the residential lease. In return, he can obtain a rent receipt. The amount of the initial rent is indicated in the lease. It may be reviewed annually, provided that the lease so provides. We present you the information to know.
The application of the rules differs according to whether it is a private sector housing or a social housing:
Private sector housing
The rent of an empty or furnished rented accommodation used as a principal residence by the tenant is in principle freely fixed by the owner (or real estate agency).
But municipalities located in tense areas are subject to rent control. In these municipalities, the rent is capped when renting the accommodation and when renewing the lease.
To find out if the accommodation is located in a tense area:
Know the municipalities where the rent control applies
Careful, specific rules shall apply to Paris, Bordeaux, Lille (Hellemmes, Lomme), Lyon and Villeurbanne, Montpellier, and the constituent municipalities Is Together, Common plain, Basque Country and part of the territory of Grenoble-Alpes Metropolis.
FYI
A term of the lease may provide that the tenant will carry out the work in exchange for a reduction in rent.
The owner (or real estate agent) can review rent 1 time per year, if a clause of the lease so provides.
But the landlord (or real estate agent) loses the opportunity to review the rent if he does not ask the tenant within one year of the date of revision.
Warning
Revising the rent is prohibited in the following cases:
- In metropolitan France, when the lease is signed, renewed or tacitly renewed since 24 august 2022, and it concerns a dwelling classified F or G (classification indicated on the EPD: titleContent),
- In Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion and Mayotte, when the lease is signed, renewed or tacitly renewed since 1er July 2024, and it concerns a dwelling classified F or G (classification indicated on the EPD: titleContent).
The IRL date to be taken into account is the date indicated in the lease. This may be the annual end date of the lease or another date agreed between the owner (or real estate agency) and the tenant.
If the date of the IRL to be taken into account is not indicated in the lease, the date of the last IRL published by theInsee: titleContent at the time of signing the lease.
Warning
- If a rent supplement applies, the amount of the rent is equal to the total of basic rent and the rent supplement.
- For a furnished dwelling, if the charges are to be paid at the flat rate, this amount can be revised each year according to the same rules as those of the rent revision.
- For a home governed by the 1948 law or Contracted Anah However, the rent review rules are specific.
To calculate the revision of the monthly rent amount, the landlord (or real estate agency) needs the following 3 elements:
- Current monthly rent amount
- IRL for the reference quarter (provided for in the lease or published by theInsee: titleContent at the time of signing the lease)
- IRL for the same quarter of the previous year.
The calculation consists of the following operation:
New rent = current rent x new IRL for the reference quarter of the lease / IRL for the same quarter of the previous year.
Example :
A lease signed in metropolitan France on July 20, 2024, and fixing the monthly rent at €600, may be revised on 20 July 2025.
The last index published on the date of signature of the lease is that of 2e quarter 2024, i.e 145.17.
The new index published on the revision date is that of 2e quarter 2025, i.e 146.68.
July 20, 2025, date of 1re revision of the rent, the new amount of the rent must be calculated as follows: €600 x 146.68 / 145.17 = €606.24.
FYI
The result of the calculation must be rounded to the nearest 2nd decimal place.
To do this calculation, you can use the following simulator:
The rules depend on the situation:
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General case
Rent and loads are payable throughout the term of the lease.
As a result:
- Even if the landlord (or real estate agency) does not do the work that is incumbent upon him, the tenant must continue to pay the rent and expenses, and commit the procedures at his disposal. Only the judge can decide to temporarily block payment of rent (excluding charges) to the owner (or real estate agency), pending the resolution of the dispute. The tenant must continue to insure the payment rent, even during this period.
- The security deposit paid by the tenant at the beginning of the rental does not allow him to not paying the last month's rent
- When the tenant repeatedly pays his rent late, the landlord is entitled not to renew the lease for legitimate and serious reasons
- Non-payment or partial payment of rent and charges may result in termination of the lease by the owner and eviction of the tenant, unless the tenant is not involved (e.g. non-payment of housing subsidies in the event of indecent housing).
Unsanitary housing
In the event of a ban on living in the premises, the rent ceases to be due from 1er the day of the month following the dispatch of the unsanitary order.
During notice (leave)
In case of notice (leave), the payment period can be adjusted:
Notice given by tenant
The tenant is obliged to pay the rent and expenses during the entire notice period. Unless, with the agreement of the owner (or the real estate agency), the accommodation is occupied by another tenant before the end of the notice period.
Notice given by owner
The tenant is only obliged to pay the rent and charges for the time he actually occupied the premises during the notice period.
The tenant must pay the rent and loads on the date specified in the lease.
In general, the rent is to be paid each month, either at the beginning or at the end of the month.
The landlord (or real estate agency) can offer the tenant that the payment of the rent is done by one of the following means:
- Direct debit from the tenant's bank account
- Interbank Payment Document (TIP)
- Check
- Cash, provided that the amount payable is less than €1,000
The tenant is free to refuse the proposal of the owner (or real estate agency).
FYI
The landlord (or real estate agency) is not entitled to have the rent deducted from the tenant's salary, even with his agreement.
A rent receipt is a document that attests that the tenant has paid the rent and expenses in full.
The owner (or real estate agency) must hand over free of charge a rent receipt to the tenant, when the tenant requests it.
FYI
The landlord (or real estate agency) can send the rent receipt by email, provided that the tenant has given his consent.
To request that a rent receipt be sent to the tenant, the tenant can use the following template letter:
Request a rent receipt from the landlord, real estate agency or social landlord
The receipt must indicate the details of the amounts you paid, distinguishing between rent and loads.
FYI
It is possible to consult a rent receipt template.
When the tenant pays only part of the rent, the landlord (or real estate agency) must give him a receipt.
No fees can be charged by the owner (or real estate agency) in case of late payment.
It does not matter whether it is a rental unit with an empty residential lease or with a furnished residential lease, including a mobility lease.
The clause in a lease that authorizes the owner (or real estate agency) to collect fines or penalties for violations of the lease or by-law of the immovable is abusive. Consequently, this clause must be ignored, as if it did not exist.
Please note
If the tenant repeatedly pays his rent late, the landlord (or real estate agency) is entitled not to renew the lease for legitimate and serious reasons.
Warning
Not paying the rent and charges is a reason for termination of the lease by the owner (or real estate agency) and eviction of the tenant. Paying in part can have the same consequences, unless the tenant is not involved (example: non-payment of housing assistance in case of indecent housing).
The tenant can take several steps:
Request a payment deadline from the owner
The tenant can try to find a amicable solution with the owner.
For example, the tenant may ask the tenant to give him additional time to pay the rent, or offer to spread the payment in several installments. If an agreement is reached, it is better to write it down, and sign it together.
If the tenant has trouble finding a solution with the landlord, he can contact a conciliator of justiceSo he can help her. The conciliator intervenes free of charge.
Apply for social assistance
At the Caf: titleContent (or MSA: titleContent)
If the tenant already receives assistance from the Caf (or the MSA), he can declare a change of situation (loss of job, separation of couple...).
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The tenant depends on the Caf
The tenant must use this online service:
Family Allowances and Benefits - Statement of Situation (Caf)
The tenant depends on the MSA (agricultural scheme)
The tenant must contact the MSA (agricultural scheme):
If the tenant does not receive assistance from the Caf (or the MSA), he can make the request housing assistance (APL, ALS, ALF).
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The tenant depends on the Caf
The tenant must contact the Caf:
The tenant depends on the MSA (agricultural scheme)
The tenant must contact the MSA:
With Action logement
If the tenant is employed, or pre-retired, or jobseeker, and his last employer is a private non-farm company with 10 or more employees, he may apply for aid Housing action.
This assistance can take the form of an interest-free loan or of a grant. It is granted with the establishment of a social support provided by Action logement. This social support is a free and confidential service.
To make the request, he must use this form:
Request for social support by Action logement
Through a social worker
The tenant can contact a social worker to find out what social assistance they may be entitled to (for example, Solidarity Fund for Housing “FSL” or that of its supplementary pension fund).
He can meet a social worker in his town hall or in a Budget advice point.
The social worker can also offer a social support, that is to say to accompany him to solve his difficulties.
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To contact the town hall
In Paris
Who shall I contact
In another municipality
To contact a Budget Advisory Point
Submit a file for over indebtedness
If the tenant has difficulty paying the rent and at least 1 other debt, he can file an overindebtedness file.
The owner (or real estate agency) can claim during 3 years any unpaid charges or rents due to him. For example, a rent or expense debt from March 2025 can be claimed until March 2028.
FYI
If the landlord (or real estate agency) has not revised the rent on the date stipulated in the lease, he can only do it in the following year.
Where the tenant fails to pay the rent and expenses on the date stipulated in the lease, the lease may be terminated, after the decision of the judge.
Termination of the lease and eviction of the tenant can be automatic if the lease contains a resolutive clause. In practice, a signed lease since 29 july 2023 must contain this clause. In the case of an older lease, this clause is usually present in the lease.
Reminder
From the first difficulties to pay your rent, the tenant can take steps to avoid the termination of the lease and your eviction from the accommodation.
Social housing
The initial amount of the rent of a social housing is fixed according to a calculation rule that is imposed on the lessor.
Rent is revised every 1er January.
The variation of IRL: titleContent taken into account is that of 2e quarter of the previous year.
On 1er January of year N, to calculate the new rent to be applied, the social landlord needs the following 3 elements:
- Current monthly rent amount
- IRL of 2e quarter of year N-1
- IRL of 2e quarter of year N-2
The calculation consists of the following operation:
New rent = current rent amount x IRL of 2e quarter of year N-1 / IRL of 2e quarter of year N-2
FYI
The result of the calculation must be rounded to the nearest 2nd decimal place.
Example :
For a lease signed in metropolitan France on March 9, 2025, fixing the rent at €600, the social landlord can revise the rent for the 1re times the 1er January 2026 (year N).
For this, it needs the following 3 elements:
- The current monthly rent amount, or €600
- The IRL of 2e quarter of year N-1, i.e. IRL of 2e quarter 2025, 146.68
- The IRL of 2e quarter of year N-2, i.e. IRL of 2e quarter 2024, 145.17
The calculation is as follows:
New rent = €600 x 146.68 / 145.17 = €606.24.
Please note
If the social landlord has done rehabilitation work, he can revise the rent differently, for a limited time.
The tenant can get a monthly reduction in the amount of his rent. This is the reduction of solidarity rent (RLS).
The tenant may have to pay a solidarity rent supplement (SLS), says overrent, when its income exceeds a maximum amount.
If the tenant's income is even higherHowever, the tenant may lose the right to remain in social housing.
Rent and loads are payable throughout the term of the lease.
As a result:
- The payment of a security deposit is not used to pay the last month's rent.
- If you pay the rent and charges late, partially or do not pay them, the landlord is entitled to terminate the lease.
You have to pay your rent and loads on the date specified in your lease.
In general, the rent is payable on a monthly basis, either at the beginning or at the end of the month.
If the rent is payable at a different frequency (e.g. quarterly), the tenant can still demand a monthly payment.
You can pay your rent by any means (check, bank transfer or cash up to a maximum amount).
The landlord does not have the right to impose direct debit as a means of paying rent.
The landlord does not have the right to charge or have the rents deducted directly from your salary, even with your agreement.
In case of full payment of the rent (including charges), you can ask your landlord to send you a free rent receipt.
For this, you can use this letter template:
The receipt must contain the following information:
- Detail of the amounts you paid by distinguishing between rent and loads
- Reduction of solidarity rent, if you benefit from it
In case of partial payment of the rent, the landlord must give you a receipt.
Warning
Failure to pay or partially pay rent and charges may result in loss of the right to remain in the dwelling.
In case of difficulties in paying the rent, several solutions are possible:
Request a payment deadline from the social lessor
You can try to find a amicable solution with the social landlord.
For example, you can ask them to give you extra time to pay the rent, or offer to spread out the payment in several installments. If you find an agreement, it is better to write it down, and sign it together.
If you have trouble finding a solution with the social landlord, you can contact a conciliator of justice, so he can help you with it. The conciliator intervenes free of charge.
Apply for social assistance
- With the Caf (or MSA)
If you are already receiving help of the Caf: titleContent (or MSA: titleContent), you can declare a change of situation (you have lost your job, you no longer live as a couple...).
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You depend on the Caf
You must use this online service:
Family Allowances and Benefits - Statement of Situation (Caf)
You are dependent on the MSA (farm plan)
You must contact the MSA: titleContent :
If you don't get help of the Caf: titleContent (or MSA: titleContent), you can in particular make the request housing assistance (APL, ALS, ALF).
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Caf
You must contact the CAF:
MSA (agricultural scheme)
You must contact the MSA:
- With Action logement
If you are an employee, or pre-retired, or jobseeker, and your last employer is a private non-farm company with 10 or more employees, you can apply for help Housing action.
This assistance can take the form of an interest-free loan or of a grant. It is granted with the establishment of a social support provided by Action logement. This social support is a free and confidential service.
To apply, you must use this form:
Request for social support by Action logement
- Through a social worker
You can contact a social worker to find out what social assistance you may be entitled to (for example, Solidarity Fund for Housing “FSL” or your supplementary pension fund).
You can meet a social worker in your town hall, in the services of your department or in a Budget advice point.
The social worker can also offer you a social support, that is to say to accompany you to solve your difficulties.
Submit a file for over indebtedness
If you have trouble paying rent and at least one other debt, you can file an overindebtedness file.
The lessor may claim during 3 years any unpaid charges or rents, including after the departure of the tenant.
This period also applies to the tenant who has paid too much and wishes to be reimbursed for the overpayment.
For example, a rent (or expense) debt from March 2025 may be required until March 2028.
Failure to pay your rent and expenses on the scheduled date may result in the termination of your lease, after the decision of the judge.
Attention, expulsion can be automatic if a resolutive clause applies. In practice, a signed lease since 29 july 2023 must contain this clause. In the case of an older lease, this clause is usually present in the lease.
In the event of a resolution clause, the lessor first sends you a command to pay. You have 6 weeks to pay.
After this period, if you have not paid, and your debt is less than or equal to €5,000, the lessor must initiate conciliation or mediation proceedings. If this procedure fails, he can then refer the matter to the judge. But if your debt is more than €5,000, the lessor may directly apply to the judge to have the lease terminated and order the eviction.
The judge may decide to grant you a payment period if you have resumed payment of the rent and if he believes that you are able to pay your debt. If you pay on time, you can stay in the accommodation.
Reminder
From the first difficulties to pay your rent, you can take steps to avoid the termination of the lease and your eviction from the accommodation.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Payment: Article 7a
Arrears of rent and charges
Payment of rent and charges during notice
In the event of late payment (Article 4(i))
Rent of social housing
Social housing rent (SEM)
Social housing: rent review
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