Bailleur / agence immobilière letter explained in English
Landlord or letting agency. The owner of your flat, or the agency or social housing body (HLM) that manages it.
Letters you may get
- Avis d’échéance or quittance de loyer — rent due or rent receipt
- Régularisation des charges — the yearly bill for shared costs
- Congé — notice to end your lease
What to do
- Your landlord must return the deposit (dépôt de garantie) within 1 month if the move-out check matches the move-in check, or within 2 months if not.
- The free housing advice office (ADIL) can check rent increases, charges and notices.
- Find the deadline. Look for “délai”, “avant le”, “au plus tard”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“recours gracieux”, “recours administratif préalable obligatoire”, “recours amiable”, “réclamation”, “contestation”, “recours”). See the template.
Words you may see
- congé
- In housing letters: notice to end the lease. In work letters: time off.
- dépôt de garantie
- Rental deposit.
- quittance de loyer
- Rent receipt.
Questions
What is the Bailleur / agence immobilière?
Landlord or letting agency. The owner of your flat, or the agency or social housing body (HLM) that manages it.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Bailleur / agence immobilière?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “délai”, “avant le”, “au plus tard” — they mark the deadline. In France, a deadline usually starts on the day you receive the letter — for a registered letter, often the day the post first tried to deliver it. The 3 days are only an estimate, so check the envelope or the delivery notice. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“recours gracieux”, “recours administratif préalable obligatoire”, “recours amiable”, “réclamation”, “contestation”, “recours”).
Can I read a Bailleur / agence immobilière letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in French. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in France
Finances publiques (DGFiP) · Trésor public / Service de gestion comptable · Caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF) · France Travail (ex Pôle emploi) · Préfecture / ANEF · OFII · Assurance Maladie (CPAM) · Mutuelle / complémentaire santé