Everything you need to know about furnished tenancy agreements: the essentials

The furnished rental lease is the contract that governs the relationship between the landlord and the tenant. It precisely defines their respective rights and obligations.

When the accommodation constitutes the tenant's primary residence, the contract must strictly comply with the rules provided by the law of July 6, 1989, applicable to furnished rentals.

Here are the essential elements to know to draft a compliant and secure lease.

What does a furnished rental lease contain?

The furnished rental contract includes:

• Information relating to the parties (landlord, tenant, guarantors)

• The characteristics of the accommodation

• Financial conditions (rent, charges, security deposit)

• Duration and renewal terms

• Any agency fees

• The mandatory annex documents

The lease term is generally 1 year, or 9 months for a student.

The tenant can leave the accommodation at any time with a one-month notice period.

The parties may add specific clauses, provided they are not considered unfair. An unlawful clause is deemed unwritten.

1. Information about the signatories

The lease must mention:

• Last name, first name, and contact details of the landlord

• Last name, first name, date of birth, and contact details of the tenant(s)

• Identity of the guarantors, if applicable

• Name of the real estate agency if it manages the property

• Effective date of the contract

This information allows for the clear identification of the committed parties.

2. Information relating to the accommodation

The contract must detail the rented property precisely:

• Type of accommodation (apartment or house)

• Use (primary residence or mixed-use)

• Habitable surface area

• Number of rooms

• Annexes (garage, cellar, parking, garden...)

• Private equipment (list of mandatory furniture)

• Common areas (elevator, collective parking, green spaces...)

• Work carried out since the last rental and its cost

This description protects both parties in the event of a dispute.

3. Rent, charges, and security deposit

The lease must clearly state:

• The rent amount

• The payment method (bank transfer, direct debit...)

• The terms for annual revision

• The last rent applied if the accommodation was rented within the last 18 months

• The reference rent and the increased reference rent (in rent-controlled areas)

• The amount of the rent supplement, if any, with justification

• The payment method for utilities (flat rate or provisions with reconciliation)

The security deposit cannot exceed two months' rent excluding charges in a furnished rental.

4. Lease term and renewal

One-year lease

The contract is automatically renewed at its term if neither party gives notice.

Student lease (9 months)

It ends automatically without tacit renewal.
If the parties wish to continue the rental, a new lease must be signed.

5. Agency fees

If a professional is involved in the renting process, the lease must specify:

• The distribution of fees between the landlord and the tenant

• The amount invoiced to the tenant

The fees attributable to the tenant are capped:

• €12 / m² maximum, tax included

• Without exceeding the amount paid by the lessor

6. Mandatory documents to be annexed

The lease must mandatory include a technical diagnostic file:

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

• Lead exposure risk report (if housing is prior to 1949)

• State of risks and pollution

• Electrical diagnostic (installation older than 15 years)

• Gas diagnostic (installation older than 15 years)

The asbestos diagnostic (properties built before 1997) must be kept available.

Other documents to be annexed:

• Information notice on rights and obligations

• Condition report at entry (and at exit at the end of the lease)

• Tenant's insurance certificate

• List of digital equipment (fiber, cable, DTT...)

• Extract from the co-ownership regulations if applicable

Why is properly drafting a furnished lease essential?

An incomplete or poorly drafted lease can lead to:

• Disputes

• A reclassification of the contract

• A challenge to the rent amount

• Difficulties when the tenant departs

Furnished renting offers significant tax and rental benefits, but it requires perfect legal compliance.

Need a compliant and secure lease?

Our team supports you in:

• Drafting a lease perfectly compliant with regulations

• Setting a rent adapted to local rent control limits

• Securing the tenant selection process

• Managing all administrative procedures

Contact us to secure your furnished rental and avoid any contractual errors.