Repairs & Rent Reductions for Tenants in France

As a tenant in France, knowing the legal timelines for a landlord to carry out work and when you can ask for a rent reduction is essential. This article clearly explains your rights, the difference between maintenance work and improvement work, notice periods, notification obligations, and the steps to obtain a rent reduction or pursue conciliation. You will also find practical action templates: keep evidence, contact the departmental conciliation commission, and, if necessary, take the matter to the judicial court. Legal terms are explained simply to help you act quickly and with full knowledge of the facts.

When the landlord can act

The landlord may carry out work to maintain or improve the dwelling, under the 1989 law and its reforms.^[1] One generally distinguishes: maintenance work, urgent repairs and improvement works that may change the rent or the tenant's enjoyment.

• The landlord must carry out work within reasonable timelines depending on the nature of the interventions.
• Urgent repairs related to safety or habitability must be addressed immediately by the landlord.
• For major works, the landlord must inform the tenant and, if necessary, obtain written agreement.

Rent reduction and procedure

If the works make the dwelling unfit for use or significantly reduce your enjoyment, you may request a rent reduction or compensation. Before any action, gather evidence (photos, emails, letters) and review your lease and the inventory of fixtures.^[2]

• Send a registered letter requesting intervention and describing the damages precisely.
• Keep photos, invoices and written exchanges as proof.
• If no agreement is reached, refer the case to the departmental conciliation commission to seek an amicable settlement.^[3]

FAQ

Which works can lead to a rent reduction?

Those that durably affect habitability (heating, water, safety) or render the dwelling partially unusable.

What is the timeline for the landlord to carry out works?

There is not always a fixed deadline, but urgent repairs must be handled immediately and others within a reasonable timeframe depending on their nature.

How to refer the matter to the conciliation commission?

You can file a request via service-public.fr or contact the prefecture to learn the local procedure.

How to

1. Send a formal notice or registered letter describing precisely the issues and dates.
2. Gather all evidence: photos, inventories of fixtures, written exchanges and repair invoices.
3. Refer the case to the departmental conciliation commission to attempt an amicable resolution.
4. If conciliation fails, bring the matter before the judicial court with the help of a lawyer or a tenants' association.

Key takeaways

• Act quickly to report and document any defect affecting habitability.
• Keep written records of every request and intervention.
• Departmental conciliation is often a useful step before court.

Help and resources

• Service-public.fr — Templates and procedures
• Legifrance — Official texts
• Service-public.fr — Departmental conciliation commission

1. [1] Legifrance — Law n° 89-462 of July 6, 1989
2. [2] Service-public.fr — Lease, inventory and obligations
3. [3] Service-public.fr — Departmental conciliation commission