Tenant rights for flatshares in France
Your rights and APL in flatshares
In a flatshare, each tenant may, depending on their situation, claim housing assistance (APL) calculated by the Caf based on income and household composition. The sum paid can reduce the rent share borne by one or several tenants depending on the lease and the agreement between parties. For practical rules on APL, consult the official Caf and Service-public guidance.[1] General provisions of the lease and rental obligations are specified by the law and official texts on Legifrance.[2]
How APL works in practice
- Apply for APL with the CAF (application).
- Distribute the amount among flatmates according to the lease and agreed share (payment).
- Notify the CAF of any change in situation (income, departure, arrival) (file).
- Keep all supporting documents, receipts and written exchanges (document).
Tenant and landlord obligations
The landlord must provide a decent dwelling and carry out necessary repairs to maintain habitability, while the tenant must pay rent and maintain the dwelling. In a flatshare, the lease may be individual or joint: if the lease is joint, each tenant may be held responsible for the entire rent towards the landlord. The rules derived from the Law of July 6, 1989 and its amendments govern these obligations and notice periods in case of departure.[2]
FAQ
- Does APL cover the entire rent in a flatshare?
- No. APL reduces the rent share according to income and household composition; it does not guarantee full coverage of the rent.
- How to split APL among flatmates?
- The split should be agreed among flatmates and ideally recorded in writing as an addendum to the lease or internal agreement.
- What to do in case of a dispute with the landlord over APL use?
- First contact the departmental conciliation commission, then, if necessary, bring the case before the tribunal judiciaire to defend your rights.
How to
- Check your eligibility and gather the necessary documents (document).
- Submit the APL application online or via the CAF form and indicate the flatshare situation (application).
- Agree in writing on the distribution of benefits and rents among flatmates and keep this agreement (payment).
- If there is a disagreement, contact the departmental conciliation commission, then the tribunal judiciaire if conciliation fails (court).
Key takeaways
- Collect and keep all proof of payments and communications.
- Formalize in writing the distribution of rents and aids between flatmates.
- Use conciliation before starting judicial proceedings.
