How to End a Rental Lease in France: Notice Period, Security Deposit and Tenant Guide

Are you planning to move out of your rental property in France?

Whether you rent a furnished apartment (location meublée) or an unfurnished property (location vide), French law sets specific rules regarding the notice period, how to give notice, the return of your security deposit, and the final settlement of charges.

At Lokim, we assist tenants and landlords every day in Paris. This guide explains the key steps to ending your lease correctly and avoiding unnecessary disputes.

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Key Takeaways

✔ The notice period for a furnished rental is 1 month, with no reason required.

✔ For an unfurnished rental, the standard notice period is 3 months, but it is reduced to 1 month if the property is located in a tense housing area (Zone Tendue) such as Paris, or if specific legal conditions apply.

✔ Notice must be given by registered letter, bailiff (Commissaire de Justice) or hand delivery against receipt.

✔ The notice period starts on the day the landlord actually receives the notice.

✔ Rent and service charges remain payable until the end of the notice period unless the landlord agrees otherwise.

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Notice Period for Furnished Rentals in France

If you rent a furnished property as your main residence, you may terminate your lease at any time.

The notice period is one month, regardless of where the property is located in France.

This applies to:

• standard furnished residential leases;
• student leases;
• Mobility Leases (Bail Mobilité).

Unlike unfurnished rentals, there is no requirement for the property to be located in a tense housing area to benefit from a one-month notice period.

Example

If your landlord receives your notice on 12 April, your tenancy normally ends on 12 May, unless both parties agree on an earlier departure.

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Notice Period for Unfurnished Rentals

For an unfurnished rental, the standard notice period is three months.

However, French law allows a reduced one-month notice period in several situations.

Properties Located in a Tense Housing Area

The most common situation concerns properties located in a Zone Tendue.

Paris is entirely classified as a tense housing area, as are many municipalities surrounding the city.

If your rental property is located in one of these areas, your notice period is reduced to one month.

When sending your notice, it is recommended to mention that the property is located in a tense housing area.

Other Situations Allowing a One-Month Notice

A reduced notice period may also apply in situations such as:  job relocation; loss of employment;  first employment; new employment following job loss; certain medical situations requiring a move; allocation of social housing; recipients of certain French social benefits; specific domestic violence situations provided by law. 
Supporting documents may be required depending on the situation.

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Furnished vs Unfurnished Rentals

Type of Lease	Tenant Notice Period
Furnished Rental	1 month
Student Lease	1 month
Mobility Lease	1 month
Unfurnished Rental	3 months
Unfurnished Rental in Paris (Zone Tendue)	1 month

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How to Give Notice

French law recognises only three official methods:

• Registered Letter with Acknowledgement of Receipt (Lettre Recommandée avec Avis de Réception);
• Service by a Commissaire de Justice (formerly Bailiff);
• Hand delivery against a signed receipt.

Sending an email, text message or making a phone call is not sufficient to legally terminate your lease.

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What Should Your Notice Letter Include?

Your notice should include:

• your full name;
• your landlord's name;
• the address of the property;
• the lease signing date;
• your intended departure date;
• any legal reason for a reduced notice period (when applicable);
• your signature.

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When Does the Notice Period Start?

The notice period starts when your landlord actually receives your notice, not when you send it.

Depending on the method used, this is:

• the delivery date of the registered letter;
• the date the Commissaire de Justice serves the notice;
• or the date of hand delivery.

The notice period is calculated from date to date.

For example, if your landlord receives your notice on 8 September, your tenancy normally ends on 8 October.

If a registered letter is never delivered because it is not collected, the notice period does not begin.

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Couples and Shared Accommodation

Different rules apply depending on your situation.

For married couples, both spouses should generally sign the notice if they are leaving together.

For partners or co-tenants who both signed the lease, each tenant may terminate their own tenancy rights according to French law.

In shared accommodation with a joint lease, one tenant leaving does not automatically terminate the lease for the remaining tenants.

If the lease includes a joint liability clause (clause de solidarité), the departing tenant may remain jointly liable for rent and charges for up to six months after the end of their notice period, unless replaced earlier.

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Rent During the Notice Period

Rent and service charges remain payable until the notice period ends.

Leaving the property early does not automatically end your obligation to pay rent unless the landlord agrees or a new tenant moves in before the end of your notice period.

Your security deposit cannot be used to pay your final month's rent unless your landlord expressly agrees.

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Security Deposit and Inventory of Fixtures

Before leaving, an inventory of fixtures (état des lieux de sortie) is carried out when the keys are returned.

The landlord compares this inventory with the initial inventory completed when you moved in.

The security deposit may only be withheld for legally justified reasons, such as:

• unpaid rent or charges;
• tenant damage beyond normal wear and tear;
• repairs for which the tenant is responsible.

The landlord must provide supporting documents where applicable.

The security deposit must normally be returned:

• within one month if no deductions are made;
• within two months if deductions are justified.

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Service Charges and the Household Waste Tax (TEOM)

In apartment buildings, annual service charges are often finalised several months after the tenant leaves.

French law therefore allows the landlord to temporarily retain up to 20% of the security deposit until the annual service charge accounts have been approved.

The landlord must then return any remaining balance or request additional payment if justified.

The Household Waste Collection Tax (TEOM) is also recoverable from tenants.

Although it is paid by the property owner through the property tax, tenants remain responsible for the proportion corresponding to their period of occupancy.

Since the final amount is usually known only in September or October, an adjustment may be made after you have left the property.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give notice by email?

No. French law requires notice to be served using one of the legally recognised methods.

Can I use my security deposit to pay my last month's rent?

No, unless your landlord expressly agrees.

When does the notice period start?

It starts when your landlord actually receives your notice.

Can my landlord keep part of my security deposit?

Yes, but only for legally justified reasons or for the temporary adjustment of service charges as permitted by French law.

Who pays the Household Waste Collection Tax (TEOM)?

The landlord initially pays it, but tenants reimburse the portion corresponding to their occupancy.

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Need Advice Before Moving Out?

Whether you rent a furnished apartment or an unfurnished property in Paris, ending a lease involves several legal and administrative steps.

The team at Lokim is here to help tenants understand the French rental process and ensure a smooth move-out experience.

If you have any questions about your lease or your notice period, feel free to contact our team.