Decent housing in Paris: the 5 criteria and your remedies as a tenant

Mould that comes back every winter, a window that no longer closes, a water heater out of order for weeks: in Paris, many tenants wonder what their landlord is actually required to provide. The law is clear on one point: any home let as a main residence must be decent (logement décent). Here are the criteria to know, what to check during the viewing, and the steps to take if the property falls short.

What the law says

The obligation to provide decent housing is set out in Article 6 of the French law of 6 July 1989. The criteria are detailed in decree no. 2002-120 of 30 January 2002. It applies to unfurnished and furnished lets used as the tenant's main residence, as well as to the bail mobilité. According to Service Public (page checked on 21 March 2025), decent housing meets five sets of criteria: minimum size, minimum energy performance, no risk to safety and health, no pests or parasites, and certain required facilities.

The 5 decency criteria

1. A minimum size

The home must have at least one main room of at least 9 m² with a ceiling height of 2.20 m, or a living volume of at least 20 m³. The local health regulations (règlement sanitaire départemental) may be stricter. We cover the pitfalls of small flats in our article on Paris studio flats and minimum legal size.

2. Minimum energy performance

Since 2025, for any lease signed, renewed or tacitly extended, only homes rated A to F on the energy performance certificate (DPE) can be let. The current timetable then excludes class F from 2028 and class E from 2034. This timetable is regularly debated in Parliament, so check the rule that applies on the date of your lease.

3. Tenant safety and health

• The home is weatherproof: roof, walls and window frames keep water out.
• Doors and windows are sufficiently airtight.
• Railings, stairs and balconies are in good condition.
• Electricity, gas, heating and hot water installations meet safety standards.
• Ventilation removes humidity, and main rooms have enough natural light with an opening to the outside.

A basement cannot be let as a home, and a property subject to a safety or unfitness order (arrêté de mise en sécurité ou de traitement de l'insalubrité) is not decent.

4. No pests or parasites

A home infested with rats, bedbugs or cockroaches is not decent.

5. Required facilities

• A heating installation suited to the home.
• Drinking water with adequate pressure and flow, and waste water drainage fitted with traps.
• A kitchen or kitchenette with a sink supplied with hot and cold water, and space for a cooking appliance.
• A toilet separate from the kitchen and dining area, and a shower or bath with hot and cold water. In a one-room home, the toilet may be outside the flat if it is in the same building and easily accessible.
• Electrical wiring that lights every room and powers everyday appliances.

Check decency during the viewing

The best remedy is not to sign for a problem property. During the viewing, look at wall corners and ceilings (damp marks, suspiciously fresh paint), open the windows, run the hot water, locate the fuse box and ask for the DPE, which must appear in the listing. Our list of 8 questions to ask when viewing a flat will help. Once you move in, record every defect precisely in the check-in inventory (état des lieux): it is your best evidence (see our inventory check guide).

What to do if your home is not decent

First, and this is essential: never stop paying your rent, even partly. Service Public says so explicitly, and unpaid rent would put you in the wrong.

• Report the defects in writing to the landlord or agency, ideally by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, with photos. A template letter is available on service-public.gouv.fr.
• If needed, report on the Signal Logement platform, available in some départements, to get support from government services.
• If the landlord acknowledges the problem, ask in writing for the list of works and the deadline.
• If they dispute it or do not reply, send a formal notice (mise en demeure) by registered letter. After 2 months without a reply or if the disagreement continues, you can bring the matter before the protection litigation judge (juge des contentieux de la protection) of the court covering the property.
• Before going to court, free conciliation is available through the departmental conciliation commission (CDC) or a court conciliator.

The judge can set the works and deadline, reduce the rent or suspend payment, with or without deposit into an escrow account (consignation), until the works are done. For free, personalised advice, your local ADIL is the go-to contact.

FAQ

Can a landlord let a G-rated home?

Not for a lease signed, renewed or extended since 2025: a G-rated home is no longer considered decent.

Does mould make a home indecent?

It may point to a decency issue if it comes from leaks or poor ventilation, which fall under the decency criteria. If it results from the occupant not ventilating, responsibility can be disputed, which is why documenting the home's condition and how the ventilation works matters.

Is heating mandatory?

Yes. In mainland France, the home must have an installation allowing normal heating, suited to its characteristics. For costs, see our article on heating and service charges in winter.

Conclusion

Decency is not a favour from the landlord but a legal obligation. By checking the key points during the viewing and documenting any defect, you avoid most disputes. That is exactly what APPARTE hunters do before presenting a property: with the Rubis package, we view properties for you and carry out the check-in inventory. Book an appointment with APPARTE to find a home that ticks every box.

This article provides general information that is up to date at the time of publication. For a specific situation, have your rights checked by a professional (ADIL, lawyer or notary).