Rent Review: What the Q3 2026 Rent Index (IRL) Means for Tenants

A new index published on 15 October 2026

On 15 October 2026, INSEE published the rent reference index (indice de référence des loyers, IRL) for the third quarter of 2026: it stands at 148.06, up 1.57% year on year, after +1.15% the previous quarter. This index caps the annual increase of many rents during a lease, in Paris and across mainland France. If your lease refers to the third quarter, your landlord can now use it. Here is how to check that the increase you are asked to pay is correct.

Three conditions for a rent review

• A review clause in the lease: without this clause, the rent cannot be reviewed during the lease, whether the home is furnished or unfurnished.
• No more than one review a year, on the date set in the lease (often its anniversary).
• A home not rated F or G: in mainland France, reviewing the rent is prohibited for a home rated F or G on its energy performance certificate (diagnostic de performance énergétique, DPE) when the lease was signed, renewed or tacitly extended since 24 August 2022. To find out more, read our article on poorly insulated homes and re-letting.

Note: a bail mobilité cannot be reviewed during the lease (see our bail mobilité guide).

How the review is calculated

The formula is set by the law of 6 July 1989 and explained by Service Public:

New rent = current rent × IRL for the reference quarter of the current year ÷ IRL for the same quarter of the previous year.

The reference quarter is the one stated in the lease. If none is stated, it is the latest IRL published on the date the lease was signed. The result is rounded to the nearest cent.

Example: a lease signed on 20 October 2025 for a rent of €1,500 excluding service charges. The latest index published on that date was the one for Q3 2025 (145.77). On the anniversary date, 20 October 2026, the rent can rise to a maximum of 1,500 × 148.06 ÷ 145.77 = €1,523.56, i.e. €23.56 more per month.

If a rent supplement (complément de loyer) applies, as for some homes in Paris where rents are controlled, the review applies to the total of the base rent and the supplement. For furnished lettings, service charges paid as a flat fee (forfait) can also be reviewed under the same rules.

What the landlord cannot do

• Apply the increase without notice: the review is not automatic. The landlord must inform the tenant in writing, preferably by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
• Backdate it: the review only applies from the date of the request, never retroactively.
• Catch up on a forgotten review after more than a year: the landlord has one year after the scheduled review date. After that, the review for that year is lost.
• Exceed the change in the IRL: the IRL is a ceiling. The landlord may ask for less, never more.

Your five-minute checklist

• Find the review clause and the reference quarter in your lease.
• Check the home's energy rating on the DPE attached to the lease.
• Look up both indices on the INSEE or Service Public website, which also offers a calculator.
• Redo the calculation and compare it with the amount requested.
• Check the effective date: no retroactive effect.

It is also a good moment to look at your service charges: our article on heating and service charges before winter tells you what to check.

If there is a mistake: how to dispute it

Start with a written exchange with your landlord or their agency, enclosing your calculation. If the disagreement continues, you can send a registered letter, then refer the matter free of charge to the departmental conciliation commission (commission départementale de conciliation, CDC) or to a court conciliator (conciliateur de justice). For a dispute of €5,000 or less, this amicable step is mandatory before going to the judge (juge des contentieux de la protection), who must be approached within three years of the disputed review date.

What about rent control in Paris?

The annual review is a separate mechanism from rent control, which applies in particular when the lease is signed. The Paris scheme reaches the end of its trial period on 24 November 2026, unless a new law is passed: we cover this in our article Paris Rent Control: What Happens After 24 November 2026?

Conclusion

With the IRL up 1.57% over one year, the review remains moderate, provided it is calculated correctly. When we search for a home for our clients, we go through the lease with them before signing: review clause, reference quarter, DPE and any rent supplement. Planning a move? Book an appointment with APPARTE.

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