Who Pays the Registration Number? Tenants France

As a tenant in France, you may wonder who is responsible for the unique registration number linked to the dwelling or the lease. This number sometimes appears for administrative registration, local taxes or municipal requirements; responsibility can vary depending on the purpose, the lease and local rules. This article explains when the landlord or the tenant pays, which legal obligations apply, and what steps to take in case of dispute. You will find practical steps to contest a charge, which documents to keep and how to contact the competent services to protect your tenant rights in France.

Who pays the registration number?

There is no single rule: the payer depends on the purpose of the registration and lease clauses. If the number is required for a tax procedure, the town hall or administration often bills it, but the lease may provide for passing the cost to the tenant; if the number is required for a diagnostic or administrative action directly related to the dwelling, the landlord often bears the cost under housing lease law.^[1]

Common cases

• Registration linked to a local tax or tourist tax: the tax authority or municipality generally bills it, but passing it on to the tenant depends on the lease.
• Registration for technical diagnostics or compliance measures: the landlord often bears the cost if the expense concerns the condition of the dwelling.
• Registration requested by the municipality for an activity (furnished rental): formalities and supporting documents fall to the party required by the administration.

What to do in case of dispute

If you receive a bill for a registration number and dispute the responsibility, start by checking the lease and asking the landlord for written justification. Send a formal complaint and keep all evidence (messages, invoices, inventories). If discussion fails, you can refer the matter to the departmental conciliation commission or the judicial court depending on the dispute nature.^[2]

• Request a written justification and the legal basis for the charge from the landlord.
• Keep evidence, photos and written exchanges to build a file.
• Refer the matter to the departmental conciliation commission or the judicial court if needed.

FAQ

Can the landlord automatically charge me for this number?

Not automatically: passing on the cost depends on the lease and the purpose of the registration. Check your lease and request written justification.

Can I refuse to pay if I did not sign the document?

If the expense is not provided for in the lease and is not a legal obligation falling on you, you can contest the invoice and refer the case to conciliation or the court.

What documents should I keep to challenge it?

Lease agreement, written exchanges, invoices, inventory of fixtures and any document proving the request or the service.

How to

1. Check the lease agreement for any clause related to fees and cost allocation.
2. Ask the landlord for a detailed invoice and the legal basis for the request.
3. Send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to contest the charge if necessary.
4. Refer the matter to the departmental conciliation commission then, as a last resort, to the judicial court.

Help and support

• [2]Model lease and inventory information - Service-public.fr
• [1]Official texts and codes - Legifrance.gouv.fr

1. [1]Law No. 89-462 of July 6, 1989 - Legifrance
2. [2]Model lease and inventory information - Service-public.fr
3. [3]Inventory of fixtures and related procedures - Service-public.fr