Renting a property, whether as a tenant or a landlord, relies on a series of concrete decisions. Choosing the rent, compiling the file, and meeting regulatory obligations related to energy diagnostics: each step determines the success of the rental process. This article details the points that make the difference between a cumbersome rental process and a smooth experience for both parties.
Energy Inefficient Properties and Diagnostics: What the Landlord Must Check Before Renting
Since the gradual implementation of the Climate and Resilience Law, properties classified as G in the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) are subject to a rental prohibition. Properties classified as F will follow. For a landlord, this means that it is essential to check the DPE classification before any advertisement is published.
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The advertisement itself must display the estimated annual energy expenses of the property. This is not a cosmetic detail: a discerning tenant will dismiss a property if the estimated energy bill seems too high, even if the rent appears attractive.
Do you have a property classified as E or D? The margin for maneuver remains comfortable. However, a property on the edge of class F requires a decision: undertake renovation work (insulation, changing the heating system) or adjust the rent downwards to compensate for the energy cost perceived by the tenant. Some landlords also choose to switch to furnished rentals or shared housing to modify the financial equation.
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To explore the rentals offered by Services Immo, simply filter by property type and location to compare the rent levels practiced in a given area.
Setting a Consistent Rent in Rent-Controlled Areas
Are you wondering why some listings remain online for weeks without finding a tenant? In most cases, the displayed rent is misaligned with the local market.
In municipalities subject to rent control (Paris and an increasing number of cities in the Greater Paris metropolitan area, as well as Lyon, Lille, Montpellier, Bordeaux), the increased reference rent sets a ceiling. Exceeding this exposes the landlord to a tenant’s claim and an obligation to refund the overcharged amount.
Even outside rent-controlled areas, a rent that is too high pushes away solvent profiles and attracts less reliable applications. A rent slightly below the neighborhood average generates more applications, allowing for the selection of a more reliable file.
Elements Justifying an Additional Rent
An additional rent is only allowed if the property has exceptional characteristics compared to comparable properties in the neighborhood. Some concrete examples include:
- A terrace or private garden of significant size, rare in the neighborhood
- An unobstructed view of a monument or a remarkable green space
- High-end amenities (antique flooring, ceiling height above average, premium features)
The additional rent must be mentioned and justified in the lease. A tenant can contest it within the first three months following the signing.
Visale Guarantee and Unpaid Rent Insurance: Securing Rental Income
The question of the guarantor remains one of the most frequent points of friction. A tenant candidate without a physical guarantor was often excluded, even with a good file. The Visale guarantee changes this dynamic.
This system, supported by Action Logement, covers unpaid rents and property damages. It applies to young people up to 30 years old (without status conditions), as well as precarious employees over 30. The landlord pays nothing: it is a free service.
The classic alternative remains unpaid rent insurance (GLI), taken out by the owner. Its cost represents a few percentage points of the annual rent. It generally covers unpaid rents, legal fees, and sometimes damages.
Visale or GLI: How to Choose
The choice depends on the profile of the targeted tenant:
- Visale is well-suited if the target audience is young or at the beginning of their career, as it broadens the pool of solvent candidates
- GLI offers more customizable coverage (guaranteed amount, duration of coverage) and works regardless of the tenant’s age, provided they meet the insurer’s solvency criteria
- Combining Visale and GLI on the same lease is prohibited, so a decision must be made before signing
A landlord who accepts Visale sends a positive signal to candidates: it shows that they do not discriminate based on the type of guarantor. This detail can speed up the rental process.
Rental Agreement: Clauses to Review Before Signing
The standard lease imposed by the Alur law outlines most mandatory mentions. Despite this, certain clauses deserve careful re-reading, both from the tenant’s and landlord’s perspectives.
The rent revision clause must specify the reference index used (usually the rent reference index, IRL) and the revision date. Without this mention, the landlord cannot increase the rent during the lease.
The lease duration varies depending on the property’s status. An unfurnished lease lasts a minimum of three years for an individual landlord. A furnished lease lasts one year, reduced to nine months for a student. The mobility lease, limited to ten months, is aimed at individuals in training, internships, or temporary assignments.
Also check the distribution of charges: provisions on charges with annual adjustment, or a flat rate for charges (only in furnished rentals). The flat rate avoids adjustments, but it must remain realistic compared to actual expenses.
The security deposit is capped at one month’s rent excluding charges for an unfurnished property, and two months for a furnished one. Any clause that exceeds these caps is deemed unwritten.
A well-drafted lease protects both parties and reduces disputes at the end of the rental period. Taking the time to read each clause, even those that seem standard, avoids costly disagreements over the return of the security deposit or rental repairs. The last useful reflex: keep a signed copy of the entry inventory, a document that will serve as the unique reference at the time of departure.