A roof is earned like a place in the clan: with proof. Searching, moving in, living, moving out. At every threshold, what the law says and how to stand your ground. Every fact carries its source.
Searching
Before the key comes the ad. Six seals to say how life works in your flat, without ever saying who you are looking for. Then forty points to check, because a flat always shows its best side.
The seal of the ad
Touch a seal, then choose how things work in your flat.
Daily rhythm
How do things work at your place?
The ad is written in French and English: those are the two languages people read in the campus groups. Copy both and paste one under the other.
In French
Colocation, une chambre se libère. Dans ce logement : Écrivez-moi en message privé pour visiter.
In English
Flatshare, a room is opening up. How we live here: Send me a private message to arrange a visit.
The ad describes the flat, never the person you are looking for: age, origin, sex, language spoken, family situation or health are prohibited criteria.
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 1 · checked on 16 September 2026
Source: Légifrance — code pénal, art. 225-1 · checked on 16 September 2026
Nothing is sent or kept: everything stays on this page and disappears when you leave it.
The viewing sheet
Print it, fold it into your pocket
The viewing sheet
0 of 40
Application documents are not listed: those a landlord may require have not been checked.
Moving in
The day you are handed the keys, nobody wants to look at the skirting boards. Yet that sheet is what will speak for you when you leave. Room by room, write everything down, even what seems trivial.
Inventory grid
Inventory grid
Entrance
To describe in this room
- Floor (covering)
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Door, handle, lock
- Sockets, switches, lights
- Skirting boards, cupboards
Write it like this « Porte d'entrée : serrure qui force à la fermeture, deux clés remises. »
Living room
To describe in this room
- Floor (covering)
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Windows, glazing, shutters or blinds
- Sockets, switches, lights
- Radiator
- Skirting boards, cupboards
Bedroom
To describe in this room
- Floor (covering)
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Windows, glazing, shutters or blinds
- Sockets, switches, lights
- Radiator
- Skirting boards, cupboards
Kitchen
To describe in this room
- Floor (covering)
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Sink, taps, seals
- Hob, oven, hood, fridge (if in the lease)
- Sockets, switches, lights
- Skirting boards, cupboards
Bathroom
To describe in this room
- Floor (covering)
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Shower or bath, hose, seals
- Basin, taps, drain
- Ventilation
- Sockets, switches, lights
Toilet
To describe in this room
- Floor (covering)
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Bowl, seat, flush
- Sockets, switches, lights
Example of form: what, where, how much. The document is written in French.
Source: Légifrance — décret n° 2016-382 · checked on 16 September 2026
Source: Légifrance — décret n° 87-712, annexe · checked on 16 September 2026
What the document must show
- Move-in or move-out
- The date
- The address of the flat
- Names of both parties, landlord's address
- Water and energy meter readings
- Each key and what it opens
- Room by room: floors, walls, ceilings, fittings
Source: Légifrance — décret n° 2016-382 · checked on 16 September 2026
Ten calendar days to have the move-in inventory completed.
Source: Service Public (F31270) · checked on 16 September 2026
During the first month of the heating season, the heating can be added to it.
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 3-2 · checked on 16 September 2026
The same layout at move-in and move-out, so the two can be compared.
Source: Légifrance — décret n° 2016-382 · checked on 16 September 2026
In a flatshare, the move-in inventory is done with all flatmates present.
Source: Service Public (F34661) · checked on 16 September 2026
At move-out: in good lighting.
Source: Service Public (F33671) · checked on 16 September 2026
Living
A leak, a bulb, a stiff lock: the law has already decided who pays. Ask the scales before you open your purse.
The six headings of the decree
Paid by the tenant
IV. Plumbing
- Unblocking pipes
- Seals, clamps, flexible hoses
- Tap washers, toilet flush mechanism
- Cleaning radiators and scale, shower hoses
Routine upkeep and minor repairs. The list is not exhaustive.
Source: Légifrance — décret n° 87-712, annexe · checked on 16 September 2026
Paid by the landlord
Anything caused by wear and age, poor workmanship, a construction defect, an accident or force majeure
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 7 · checked on 16 September 2026
All other repairs, especially when the faulty equipment has to be replaced
Source: Institut national de la consommation · checked on 16 September 2026
Living together, and insured
Tenant's liability insurance is compulsory; the certificate is given each year if the landlord asks.
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 7 · checked on 16 September 2026
In a flatshare, each flatmate must be covered, at least for fire, water damage and explosion.
Source: Service Public (F21478) · checked on 16 September 2026
Claims: 2 working days to report a theft, 5 for anything else.
Source: Service Public (F21478) · checked on 16 September 2026
Recoverable charges are paid upfront by the landlord, then owed by the tenant.
Source: Service Public (F947) · checked on 16 September 2026
An occupant who does not sign the lease is not a flatmate, even if they pay part of the rent.
Source: Service Public (F34661) · checked on 16 September 2026
After leaving, joint liability ends once a new flatmate is on the lease, and at the latest six months after the notice ends.
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 8-1 · checked on 16 September 2026
Never do this
Never stop paying rent because the landlord has not done the repairs.
Source: Service Public (F35978/0_1) · checked on 16 September 2026
Moving out
Handing back the keys does not end the story. What the landlord may keep, what they must return, and how fast. And four letters, already written, to remind them.
What may be kept
Unpaid rent or charges
Source: Service Public (F39713/0) · checked on 16 September 2026
Damage, or tenant repairs left undone
Source: Service Public (F39713/0) · checked on 16 September 2026
Provided the landlord relies on both inventories and justifies each sum: quotes, invoices, photos
Source: Service Public (F39713/0) · checked on 16 September 2026
In a block of flats, a provision of at most 20% of the deposit, until the annual accounts are closed
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 22 · checked on 16 September 2026
What may not be kept
Wear from time or normal use
Source: Service Public (F33671) · checked on 16 September 2026
Poor workmanship, a construction defect, an accident, force majeure
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 7 · checked on 16 September 2026
The cost of a move-out inventory done by the landlord's agent
Source: Service Public (F33671) · checked on 16 September 2026
Deposit deadlines
- 1 month
to return the deposit, if the move-out inventory matches the move-in one
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 22 · checked on 16 September 2026
- 2 months
to return the deposit in other cases, from the day the keys are handed back
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 22 · checked on 16 September 2026
- + 10%
of the monthly rent excluding charges, per month of delay begun (unless the new address was not given)
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 22 · checked on 16 September 2026
- 1 month
of rent: the maximum deposit, unfurnished; two months if furnished
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 25-6 · checked on 16 September 2026
- 3 years
to go to court if the deposit is not returned, after an optional free conciliation
Source: Service Public (R16638) · checked on 16 September 2026
Notice
- 1 month
furnished flat, at any time
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 25-8 · checked on 16 September 2026
- 3 months
unfurnished flat, general rule
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 15 · checked on 16 September 2026
- 1 month
unfurnished flat in a high-demand area, or first job, transfer, job loss, new job after a job loss. The reason must be justified in the letter.
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 15 · checked on 16 September 2026
Cergy is among the high-demand municipalities under the annex in force since 24 December 2025. The notice also depends on the date of your lease: check yours on the official simulator before writing.
Source: Légifrance — décret n° 2013-392, annexe · checked on 16 September 2026
Source: Service Public — simulateur du délai de préavis · checked on 16 September 2026
Notice is sent by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, by a bailiff, or handed over against a signed receipt; the period runs from the day it is received.
Source: Légifrance — loi du 6 juillet 1989, art. 15 · checked on 16 September 2026
Check on the official simulatorThe vellum of four letters
Break a seal: the letter builds on the sheet as you fill it in.