Finding a rental property takes time, energy, and often a good dose of patience. Between compiling the application, reading the lease, and checking the property, each step has concrete pitfalls that can be costly for both the tenant and the landlord. This article focuses on the areas where mistakes are most frequent, and especially the most expensive.
Energy performance of the property: the criterion too many tenants overlook
Have you ever visited an attractive apartment, well-located, with an appealing rent, without checking its energy label? That’s a mistake that can turn your heating budget into a financial black hole.
As of January 1, 2025, properties rated G on the energy performance certificate (DPE) are banned from being rented. Properties rated F will follow the same fate on January 1, 2028. A landlord offering a G-rated property for rent today is acting outside the legal framework.
For tenants, consulting the rental guide on Crédit et Immobilier helps to better understand the obligations related to energy performance diagnosis before signing anything.
For landlords, the Climate and Resilience Law also prohibits any rent increase for properties rated F or G. No annual revision, no increase for renovations, no rent supplement. An energy-consuming property freezes the rent before becoming un-rentable. Investing in energy renovation is no longer a choice; it’s a condition to remain in the rental market.
Setting the rent amount: calculation errors that undermine profitability
Are you a landlord setting your rent by looking at neighboring listings? That’s a starting point, not a reliable method.
The Rent Reference Index (IRL) for the first quarter of 2026 is set at 146.60, representing an annual increase of only 0.78%. This moderate progression means that the margins for rent revision are very low this year.
Tight areas and rent control
In cities subject to rent control (Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, Bordeaux, among others), the rent cannot exceed a ceiling set by a prefectural order. Displaying an amount higher than the increased reference rent exposes the landlord to a tenant’s appeal, even after the lease is signed.
A common pitfall: applying a “rent supplement” without solid justification. This supplement is only allowed if the property has exceptional characteristics (remarkable view, large terrace, luxurious amenities). A standard equipped kitchen or old flooring is not sufficient.
Undervaluing the rent, the other extreme
Setting a rent too low to “find tenants quickly” reduces profitability over the entire lease term. With a slowly rising IRL, making up the difference can take years. It’s better to spend time analyzing the local market than to accept a discount out of haste.
Lease clauses: what protects and what traps
The lease is not an administrative formality. It is the document that governs the relationship between landlord and tenant for three years (unfurnished lease) or one year (furnished lease). Every clause matters.
- The solidarity clause in a shared rental binds each tenant to pay the full rent if one of them leaves, and this for six months after their departure, unless otherwise stated in the lease
- The resolutory clause for unpaid rent must be explicitly included in the lease to allow the landlord to initiate a quick procedure in case of unpaid rents
- Clauses prohibited by law include the obligation to take out insurance with a specific insurer, the prohibition of hosting relatives, or imposing automatic payments as the only mode of payment
A poorly drafted lease penalizes both the landlord and the tenant. The landlord loses their recourse in case of dispute. The tenant discovers too late commitments they had not anticipated.
Inventory and security deposit: two linked steps that are often rushed
The entry inventory directly conditions the return of the security deposit upon exit. A hastily prepared document opens the door to all disagreements.
Do you notice a crack in the bathroom tiles on the day of key handover? If it is not noted in the inventory, it may be charged to you upon departure. The same reasoning applies to marks on the walls, blackened joints, and poorly functioning equipment.
- Photograph each room, including open closets, electrical outlets, and under-sink areas
- Test the plumbing, shutters, switches, and ventilation during the inventory visit
- Note the brand and condition of provided equipment (cooking plates, water heater, blinds) to avoid any future disputes
The legal deadline for returning the security deposit is one month if the exit inventory matches the entry inventory, and two months in case of discrepancies. A precise inventory speeds up this process.
Recourse in case of abusive retention
If the landlord withholds part of the deposit without justification (invoice or repair estimate), the tenant can contact the departmental conciliation commission. This process is free and often faster than going to court.
Real estate rental relies on a balance between rights and obligations for each party. An up-to-date energy diagnosis, a rent calibrated to actual market data, a lease reviewed clause by clause, and a detailed photographed inventory form the foundation of rental management without unpleasant surprises. Every signed document commits for several years, which justifies spending a few more hours before signing.