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Letting Property in France
 - 1. Introduction
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 - 3. Business Registration
 - 4. Taxation
 - 5. Finding a Tenant
 - 6. Tenant Selection
 - 7. Tenancy Agreement
 - 8. Obligatory Surveys
 - 9. Rent Calculation
 - 10. Tenancy Duration
 - 11. Protection Against Non-Payment of Rent
 - 12. Condition Report
 - 13. Property Insurance
 - 14. Landlord Repairs
 - 15. Tenant Repairs & Alterations
 - 16. Sub-Letting
 - 17. Tenancy Transfer
 - 18. Termination of Tenancy
 - 19. Getting Advice & Disputes
 - 20. Housing Benefits
 - 21. Legal Proceedings
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10. Duration of the Tenancy in France

Tenants has an entitlement to a tenancy of a mimumum duration, but there are different rules that apply, depending on whether the letting is furnished or unfurnished.

  1. 10.1. Unfurnished Lettings
  2. 10.2. Furnished Lettings


10.1. Unfurnished Lettings

The minimum period for an unfurnished tenancy is three years, or six years if the landlord is a property company.

This does not imply that the tenant is obliged to stay in the property, or pay rent on it, for a minimum three year period, but that the landlord cannot grant a tenancy for a lesser period.

Top Tip!

Notwithstanding this general rule, the tenancy can be less than three years, subject to a minimum of one year, where the landlord needs to later recover the property for a very specific and certain purpose that is known at the time the tenancy is granted.

There are only a limited number of such circustances where this rule can be applied, such as use of the property by a close relative, for the birth of a child necessitating a larger home, or for occupational reasons.

A ‘close relative’ of the landlord is defined as their spouse, partner or parents and children or parents and children of their spouse or partner.

In order to realise this exemption, a minimum of two months notice must be given to terminate the tenancy and the name and address of the prospective occupant(s) must be given on the notice.

The notice must either be given in writing by recorded deliver letter (lettre recommandée avec avis de reception) from the landlord or delivered by a huissier (an official bailiff).

If the event occurs later than that anticipated when the tenancy agreement was signed then the landlord is obliged to extend the duration of the tenancy by the same period.

If the anticipated event does not materialise, or the landlord does not give two months notice before the end of the tenancy, the tenancy automatically becomes a three-year tenancy from the original commencement date.

If you intend to make use of this provision, you would be well-advised to have the tenancy agreement prepared in front of a notaire, as careful drafting of the agreement will be required.

To celebrate the release of our Guide to Letting Property in France we are offering readers the opportunity to advertise their French rental property (holiday or long-let) FREE OF CHARGE for 12 months.

Find out more at How to Advertise your Rental Property Free of Charge.


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