Moving: the steps to take when leaving your home

If you want to move out of an apartment, you need to give your landlord several months' notice.

Lease termination

You can terminate the lease at any time, provided you give notice.

  • In Grenoble, which is considered to be an area under housing pressure, the minimum lead time isone month.
  • In Valencia, you must inform your landlord three months before the end of your contract.

If you rent furnished accommodation, the notice period is one month, regardless of the city in which you live.

The notice period begins on receipt of the letter.

If the landlord decides not to renew the lease when it comes to an end, he must notify the tenant by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, stating the reasons for his decision.

For the landlord, the notice period is six months for empty accommodation and three months for furnished accommodation before the end of the lease.
 

What you need to know

The rental contract can also be terminated by the landlord in certain situations. In this case, you must be given six months' notice (three months' notice for furnished accommodation).

Exit inventory

The "état des lieux de sortie" allows you to compare the condition of the property at the beginning and end of the rental period , and to determine which repairs are the responsibility of the owner and/or tenant.

At the end of the visit, two copies of the inventory of fixtures are drawn up and signed by you and the owner.

You must return the keys and vacate the property at the end of the inspection.

Refund of security deposit

If the inventory of fixtures on departure matches that on arrival, the time limit for returning the security deposit is reduced to one month. Otherwise, it must be returned within two months after departure.
 

What you need to know

If the landlord requires you to pay for refurbishing the property, you must provide estimates or invoices to justify this.

Updating your Caf account

If you are receiving assistance from Caf and are terminating your lease, remember to update your Caf online account. If you forget, Caf will ask for a full refund of any sums paid in error. 

In case of problems

If you have any problems with your landlord, there are associations that can help.

See "Your rights and obligations as a tenant".

Tip

To simplify the formalities involved in a change of address, you can use the Service Public website to notify your new address to the tax office, social security office, Caf, post office, etc.

Declare a change of address

Published November 30, 2023
Updated May 30, 2024