Deadlines for joints and faucet maintenance — tenants France
As a tenant in France, you may wonder what the legal deadlines are for maintaining seals and faucets, who must act and how to assert your rights. This practical guide explains, in simple language, the landlord's obligations and the tenant's responsibilities, the steps to report a leak or defect, and the usual timelines to obtain a repair. You will also find advice on preserving evidence, using the inventory of fixtures[2] and possible remedies via the departmental conciliation commission or the judicial court. The aim is to enable you to act quickly and calmly to ensure the habitability and safety of your home.
What are the deadlines and obligations?
Law n°89-462 and its implementing texts define the landlord's general obligations regarding decent housing and necessary repairs. In practice, the essential distinction is: minor tenant repairs borne by the tenant vs major repairs and structural maintenance borne by the owner. When a defect threatens habitability (major leak, water, mold), the landlord's intervention must be prompt.[1]
Immediate actions for the tenant
- Report the problem to the landlord or agency in writing (notice) and request a prompt intervention.
- Specify a reasonable deadline for the repair (for example 7 to 15 days depending on urgency) and keep proof of the request.
- If urgent (flooding, no hot water, health risk), request immediate intervention and, if necessary, call a professional after notifying the landlord.
- Keep photos, messages and invoices that document the problem and the actions taken.
If the landlord delays, you can follow up by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or contact the departmental conciliation commission to seek an amicable resolution. As a last resort, the judicial court can be seized to obtain the execution of the works or compensation.
Procedure by urgency
- Vital emergency (flooding, electrical risk): immediate intervention and immediate reporting.
- Major leak affecting habitability: request a quick repair from the landlord within a few days.
- Minor leak or joint replacement: the tenant can often carry out the repair if the lease provides; otherwise inform the landlord.
FAQ
- Who pays for repair of a broken seal or faucet?
- It depends on the nature of the repair: minor tenant repairs are often the tenant's responsibility, while major restoration works or those due to wear and tear are the owner's responsibility.
- What are the deadlines to obtain landlord intervention?
- There is not always a single strict deadline; in practice, an urgent repair should be handled promptly (a few days) and a non-urgent repair within a reasonable time (often 7 to 30 days depending on the case).
- What if the landlord does not repair despite my requests?
- Follow up in writing, contact the departmental conciliation commission, and ultimately the judicial court to obtain the execution of the works or compensation.
How-To
- Document the problem: take photos and videos and note the date of appearance.
- Inform the landlord quickly in writing (email or registered letter) specifying the urgency (notice).
- Set a reasonable deadline for intervention and keep proof of sending.
- If urgent, have a professional intervene after notifying the landlord and keep all invoices.
- Refer the matter to the departmental conciliation commission if dialogue fails.
- As a last resort, bring the case before the judicial court to enforce the works if necessary.
Key takeaways
- Always keep written records of your requests and interventions.
- Check the inventory of fixtures at entry and exit to assess responsibility for damage.
Help and Support / Resources
- Service-public.fr: practical information and procedures
- Legifrance.gouv.fr: official texts, Law n°89-462 and applicable articles
