Whether you rent before buying or want to let your own property: in France the type of lease determines the term, notice periods and deposit. Here are the main models.
1. Bail vide – unfurnished
- Term: 3 years if the landlord is a private individual or family SCI, 6 years for a company. Renews automatically
- Tenant's notice: at any time with 3 months' notice; in tight housing markets (zone tendue, which covers much of the Côte d'Azur) only 1 month
- Landlord's notice: only at the end of the term, with 6 months' notice and only for specific reasons (own use, sale, serious breach)
- Deposit: maximum 1 month's rent (excluding charges)
2. Bail meublé – furnished
- Term: 1 year, renews automatically; for students also 9 months without renewal (bail étudiant)
- Tenant's notice: at any time with 1 month's notice
- Landlord's notice: at the end of the term with 3 months' notice, again only for specific reasons
- Deposit: maximum 2 months' rent
- “Furnished” is defined by law, including a bed with duvet, blackout in the bedroom, hob, oven or microwave, fridge with freezer compartment, crockery, table and chairs, shelving, lighting and cleaning equipment
3. Bail mobilité – fixed term for job moves
- Furnished only, term 1 to 10 months, no extension beyond that
- For people in training, studies, internships, voluntary service, secondment or job changes
- No deposit allowed; the landlord can be covered by the free state guarantee Visale
- The tenant may leave at any time with 1 month's notice
4. Location saisonnière – holiday let
- For holidaymakers who do not live there, maximum 90 days in a row with the same tenant
- Freely agreed terms; advance payment and deposit by agreement
- Landlords must deal with registration, tourist tax and specific tax rules (see Holiday letting, the legal way and Holiday letting and tax)
5. Bail code civil – anything that isn't a main residence
If a property is not rented as a main residence – e.g. as a second home, company accommodation, garage or parking space – the protective rules of residential tenancy law do not apply. Term, notice and deposit are freely agreed.
6. Colocation – flat share
- Either one joint lease for everyone or individual leases per room
- Often with a solidarity clause: each tenant is liable for the full rent, including flatmates' shares – after moving out for up to 6 months, unless a replacement moves in
Rules for all residential leases
- An inventory and condition report (état des lieux) at move-in and move-out – it determines what may be deducted from the deposit
- Deposit repaid within 1 month (property as received) or 2 months (if there are defects)
- The lease must follow the statutory model and include the diagnostics, including the DPE. Homes rated G may no longer be newly let as a main residence
- The tenant must take out home insurance
How to apply convincingly as a tenant: DossierFacile and Renting without a French guarantor.
All information without guarantee, as of November 2026. It is for general guidance only and does not replace legal or tax advice.
