Refund of Rental Charges in France
If you are a tenant in France and believe your landlord has charged you rental charges incorrectly, this practical guide explains how to check, document and claim a refund. We cover which charges can be recovered, which documents to gather, legal deadlines to respect and possible amicable or judicial steps. The tone is clear and suitable for tenants without legal knowledge: no unnecessary jargon, only concrete steps to assert your rights. At the end you will know how to calculate the disputed amount, send a formal request and, if necessary, contact the departmental conciliation commission or the competent court.
When a refund is possible
A refund can be requested if the amount of charges billed exceeds what is provided for in the lease or if non-recoverable fees were demanded. The 1989 law and its implementing texts strictly govern recoverable charges and regularisation methods[1]. Service-public specifies the list of charges that the landlord can legally demand from the tenant and the expected supporting documents[2].
How to claim a refund
Before any formal action, ask the landlord for supporting documents (invoices, contracts, statements). If the explanation is not satisfactory, send a written and quantified request proposing a verification schedule.
- Gather the documents: contracts, invoices, charge statements and inventory reports.
- Precisely calculate the excess amount using the documents and the allocation provided in the lease.
- Send a written request to the landlord (registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or email with follow-up) detailing the refund request.
- Keep copies and proof of sending; note dates and communications.
Amicable and judicial procedures
If the landlord's response is insufficient, propose conciliation via the departmental conciliation commission or, as a last resort, bring the case before the judicial court to obtain the refund. The commission can help reach an agreement without court costs.
FAQ
- What documents should I provide to request a refund?
- You should provide the lease, invoices or contracts related to the charges, the charge statements received and the inventory report if relevant.
- How much time do I have to contest charges?
- It is advisable to act quickly: keep the documents and seek conciliation as soon as doubt arises, because statutes of limitation may apply depending on the nature of the amounts.
- Is the departmental conciliation commission mandatory?
- No, but conciliation is often recommended because it is free and can lead to an agreement without judicial proceedings.
How-To
- Check the lease and identify the disputed charge lines.
- Gather supporting documents (invoices, contracts, consumption statements).
- Calculate the requested amount explaining the methodology (period, allocation).
- Send a registered letter or a motivated email with attachments.
- If no agreement, contact the departmental conciliation commission, then the judicial court if necessary.
Key takeaways
- Always check the exact nature of charges requested by the landlord.
- Request supporting documents before agreeing to any additional payment.
- Prefer conciliation before judicial action when possible.
