Landlord's notice to a tenant in France: sale, repossession, legitimate ground — notice periods and letter template

Quick answer

A French landlord does not "terminate" a residential lease: they serve notice for the end of the lease, with 6 months' notice (unfurnished; 3 months furnished) and on one of the three grounds of article 15 of the law of 6 July 1989: repossession to live in it (themselves or a listed relative), sale (the notice then counts as an offer to the tenant, who has priority for 2 months), or a legitimate and serious ground. The form is imposed — registered mail with proof of receipt, court bailiff, or hand delivery against signature — and the notice period runs from receipt. An incomplete, late or fraudulent notice is void, and the lease continues.

1. Three grounds, not one more

• Repossession to live in: by the landlord or a strictly listed relative (spouse, partner, cohabitee of one year, ascendants, descendants and those of the spouse). The notice states the beneficiary's name and address and the genuine, serious nature of the repossession — the dwelling must actually be occupied afterwards, on pain of a fine.
• Sale: for unfurnished lettings, the notice counts as an offer of sale to the tenant (price and terms mandatory); they have 2 months to exercise first refusal. For furnished lettings, a simple notice to sell, without statutory priority.
• Legitimate and serious ground: repeated arrears, neighbourhood disturbances, prohibited subletting… — assessed by the judge if contested.

2. The calendar, first cause of nullity

• The notice must reach the tenant at least 6 months before the term of an unfurnished lease (3 months furnished): receipt counts, not dispatch.
• An uncollected registered letter has no effect — for stakes this high, service by court bailiff secures the date.
• A late notice = the lease renews for 3 years (or 1 year furnished): plan far ahead.
• Buying an occupied dwelling: specific delays postpone the first possible notice (repossession or sale) — check the acquisition date.

3. Protected tenants

A tenant over 65 with modest resources (regulatory ceilings): the notice is only valid with a rehousing offer matching their needs and means, in the vicinity. Exception: a landlord who is themselves over 65 or on modest resources. Protection is assessed at the end of the lease.

4. Notice template (compliant structure)

Subject: Notice for [repossession / sale / legitimate and serious ground] — lease of [date], dwelling at [address]

Dear Sir or Madam,

As landlord, I hereby serve notice for the end of the lease on [date], pursuant to article 15 of law no. 89-462 of 6 July 1989.

[Repossession] This notice is based on repossession of the dwelling for [name, address], [family relationship], who intends to make it their main home because [justification].

[Sale] This notice is based on the sale of the dwelling at the price of €[amount], on the following terms: [terms]. It counts as an offer of sale in your favour, valid for two months from receipt, in accordance with II of article 15.

[Legitimate ground] This notice is based on [precise statement of facts].

The notice period expires at the above term; rent and charges remain due until the keys are returned. The statutory information notice is attached.

Yours faithfully,

[Date — Landlord's signature]

A landlord's notice stands or falls on proof of receipt: MaisonMail can print and dispatch your letter through an available registered service. Origin market, delivery times, tracking and the proof-of-receipt slip are confirmed before payment. See also: tenant's notice to the landlord.

5. After the notice

• The tenant may leave at any time during the notice period, paying only for the time occupied.
• If the tenant exercises first refusal (sale), the sale follows the statutory deadlines (2 months, 4 with a mortgage).
• Contest: the tenant can go to court; a notice found fraudulent exposes the landlord to a fine (up to €6,000 for an individual) and damages.
• At the term, check-out inventory and return of the deposit within the legal deadlines.

6. Common mistakes

• Counting the notice from dispatch instead of receipt.
• Omitting mandatory details (repossession beneficiary, sale price, information notice): nullity.
• Ignoring the protection of elderly, modest-income tenants.
• Serving notice mid-lease or on a ground outside the list.
• Sham repossession or a sale that never happens: criminal fine and compensation to the tenant.

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In short: a landlord's notice exists only for the end of the lease, with 6 months' notice (3 furnished), three exhaustive grounds and strict formalism — complete details, notice attached, proof of receipt. Plan the calendar, check tenant protection, and secure delivery by registered mail or bailiff: the penalty for a botched notice is three more years of lease.