Tenant Repairs in France: Who Pays?

As a tenant in France, it is important to know which repairs are the tenant's responsibility and which fall to the landlord. This guide simply explains obligations for routine maintenance, minor tenant repairs, the distinction with major repairs, and habitability standards. You will learn how to prepare an inventory of fixtures, keep evidence (photos and invoices), notify the landlord, and, if necessary, bring the matter before the departmental conciliation commission or the judicial court. Practical advice will guide you on contesting a payment request and getting essential work done to ensure the property's habitability. This text includes practical examples.

Who pays which repairs?

The 1989 law governs residential leases and defines the respective obligations of tenant and landlord^[1]. In short, the tenant must cover routine maintenance and minor tenant repairs listed by decree, while the landlord remains responsible for work necessary to maintain the property and ensure habitability.

Routine maintenance and tenant repairs

• Replace light bulbs, seals and small accessories.
• Unclog a blocked trap and maintain drains.
• Change fuses or service an individual water heater if specified in the lease.

Repairs the landlord must pay

• Structural work, bringing the property up to standard, and defects affecting habitability.
• Repairs related to electrical safety or hazardous installations.
• Repair of collective equipment and central heating.

How to report and have repairs carried out

1. Notify the landlord in writing, specifying the nature of the defect and the date.
2. Allow a reasonable time for a response and for the work to be carried out.
3. Send a formal notice if the landlord does not respond.
4. Refer the matter to the departmental conciliation commission or the judicial court as a last resort^[3].

FAQ

Can the landlord charge me for tenant repairs?

The landlord can request reimbursement for repairs that fall to the tenant according to the lease and the list of tenant repairs [1].

What to do if the landlord refuses to carry out an important repair?

Send a formal notice, refer the matter to the departmental conciliation commission, and then to the judicial court if necessary [3].

What documents should I keep to prove maintenance?

Photographs, letters, written exchanges, quotes and invoices for interventions are useful to prove your actions [2].

How-To

1. Describe the problem in writing and send it to the landlord.
2. Keep evidence: photos, dates, invoices.
3. Allow a reasonable period for the intervention.
4. Refer the matter to the commission or court if the dispute persists.

Key takeaways

• Always keep photos and invoices to build a complete file.
• Minor routine repairs are generally the tenant's responsibility.
• Referring the matter to the commission or court may be necessary if the landlord refuses to act.

Help and resources

• Service-public: inventory of fixtures and repairs
• Legifrance: Law n° 89-462 of 6 July 1989
• Service-public: departmental conciliation commission

1. [1] Law n° 89-462 of 6 July 1989 — Legifrance
2. [2] Inventory of fixtures and repairs — Service-public
3. [3] Departmental conciliation commission — Service-public