Giving notice on a tenancy agreement in France

Unless otherwise stated in the lease agreement, a tenant who wants to leave prior to the end date in the lease agreement must give three months notice, by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (Lettre Recommandée AR) or by letter signed by a bailiff (un huissier).

The page should be formatted as a normal letter, with the address of the recipient (the landlord) and the date at the top on the right hand side. The letter should be sent to the landlord (or agent) by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (Lettre Recommandée AR).

Sample Rental Notice Letter

Landlord/Agent address
Date

Objet : Résiliation de bail sans motif
[address of rented property to be vacated]

Monsieur/Madame,

Par la présente, je viens vous faire part de mon intention de résilier le bail que nous avons conclu à la date [insert date of the start of rental contract], [insert duration of the contract (optional)].

Le congé prendra effet le [insert the date when the premises must be vacated - which is the notice period after the date of this letter], après le délai de préavis de trois mois prévu par l'article 15 de la loi du 6 juillet 1989. Pendant cette période, je continuerai de m'acquitter du loyer et des charges sauf si je trouvais, pour me remplacer, un autre locataire dont vous accepteriez la candidature.

Je vous remettrai donc les clés de votre logement le [date of leaving], après établissement de l'état des lieux.

Veuillez agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.

[Name and signature]

What it says, in English

Sir/Madam

I am writing to inform you of my intention to terminate the lease that we signed on [insert date of the start of rental contract], [insert duration of the contract (optional)].

This will take effect on [insert the date when the premises must be vacated - which is the notice period after the date of this letter], after the notice period of three months stipulated by Article 15 of the Act of 6 July 1989. During this period, I will continue to pay the rent and expenses unless I am able to find a replacement tenant that is acceptable to you.

I will return the keys to the premises to you on [date of leaving], after our completion of the inventory report.

Sincerely