Tenant Repairs in France: Responsibilities
As a tenant in France, you may be responsible for small repairs and routine maintenance of the dwelling under the law. This article clearly explains which repairs are your responsibility, how to read the inventory of fixtures, which deadlines to respect and which evidence to keep. You will find practical steps to request an intervention, dispute a deduction from the security deposit and bring the matter before the departmental conciliation committee or the judicial court if necessary. The tone is simple and concrete: the goal is to help you understand your obligations, your rights and the administrative steps with references to official texts so you can act with confidence.
What does tenant repair cover?
The law distinguishes routine maintenance and tenant repairs that are the tenant's responsibility. In practice, this includes small repairs and replacements related to normal use of the dwelling. Major repairs and those related to wear and tear are generally the owner's responsibility[2]. For a practical list of common tenant repairs, see the official guidance[1].
Common examples
- Replacement of faucet seals (repair).
- Replacement of light bulbs or simple switches (repair).
- Minor repainting after normal wear (repair).
- Simple sink unclogging when blockage is due to use (repair).
Generally, minor repairs due to normal use are the tenant's responsibility.
What to do in case of breakdown or damage?
Report any problem quickly to the owner, ideally in writing, specifying the nature of the defect, the date and the impact on the use of the dwelling. Keep a copy of your messages and ask whether an intervention is planned. If the dwelling becomes unfit for use, specific rules apply and remedies exist.
- Report the problem to the owner quickly and in writing (deadline).
- Set a reasonable deadline for the repair in your message (deadline).
- Keep written exchanges and any invoices or estimates received (form).
Respond to correspondence and respect deadlines to preserve your rights.
Your evidence and documents
The quality of your evidence makes dispute resolution easier. Documents, photos and estimates help demonstrate the extent of the damage and the timeline.
- Take dated photos of the problem and the premises (photo).
- Keep invoices, estimates and proof of payment (document).
- Note dates and the owner's responses to establish a chronology (record).
Dated and organized evidence increases your chances in conciliation or court.
FAQ
- Which repairs must the tenant pay?
- The tenant normally pays routine maintenance repairs and small repairs due to normal use; detailed rules are available on the official site[1].
- Can the owner charge me for wear and tear?
- No, wear and tear is not the tenant's responsibility. If a deduction is made from the security deposit, you can request supporting documents and dispute it if necessary[2].
- What if the owner refuses to intervene?
- If the owner refuses, try the departmental conciliation committee and, as a last resort, bring the matter before the judicial court; procedures are described by public services[3].
How to
- Check the inventory of fixtures and gather photos, invoices and documents (photo).
- Contact the owner in writing, describing the required repairs and setting a reasonable deadline (contact).
- If the disagreement persists, refer the matter to the departmental conciliation committee, then to the judicial court as needed (tribunal).
Key takeaways
- Always keep dated evidence and written exchanges with the owner (note).
- Minor repairs are often the tenant's responsibility, not wear and tear (note).
- Use the departmental conciliation committee before any court action (note).
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] Service-public — Tenant repairs
- [2] Légifrance — Law n° 89-462 of 6 July 1989
- [3] Service-public — Departmental conciliation committee
