Whether you are leaving your flat or your landlord is asking you to leave, notice periods in France are strictly regulated by law. For foreigners, understanding these rules is crucial to avoid losing your security deposit or facing legal complications.
Standard notice periods for tenants
For unfurnished rentals (loi du 6 juillet 1989): 3 months notice required from the tenant. This reduces to 1 month in certain cases: the property is located in a high-tension zone (zones tendues — most major French cities), the tenant loses their job, the tenant receives the RSA or AAH, the tenant is relocated for professional reasons, or the property is uninhabitable. For furnished rentals: 1 month notice regardless of location.
How to calculate your notice period
The notice period starts from the date your letter is received by the landlord (if sent by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt — LRAR). It does not start from the date you wrote or sent it. The period runs until the last day of the calendar month following the notice period. Example: letter received on 10 June → if 1 month notice, you leave by 31 July.
What must your notice letter contain
Your letter must state: your full name and address, the address of the rented property, the duration of the notice period you are invoking and the legal basis (article 15 of the law of 6 July 1989), the date you plan to leave, and your new address if known. FrenchDesk generates this letter in 30 seconds with exact legal references.
Your rights regarding the security deposit
Your landlord has 1 month to return your security deposit if there is no damage, or 2 months if there is. If they exceed this deadline, they owe you interest of 10% of the deposit per month of delay. FrenchDesk can help you draft a formal demand letter if your deposit is not returned.