{"id":13154,"date":"2025-12-01T08:26:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T08:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/?page_id=13154"},"modified":"2025-12-01T08:26:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T08:26:13","slug":"which-rental-charges-must-the-tenant-pay","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/buyers-guides\/which-rental-charges-must-the-tenant-pay\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Rental Charges Must the Tenant Pay?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1670852810251{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;back_div&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221;]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJteV9iYWNrX2J1dHRvbiUyMiUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY29uc3VsdGFudHMtaW1tb2JpbGllci5jb20lMkZlbiUyRnByb3BlcnR5LWd1aWRlcyUyRiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyMEJhY2slMjB0byUyMHByb3BlcnR5JTIwZ3VpZGVzJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1764577249408{background-image: url(https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/charge_loc.jpg?id=13147) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;override_left&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;override_pos&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1662026446228{background-color: #e4e4e4 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Which Rental Charges Must the Tenant Pay?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|font_size:37|text_align:center|color:%23040e31&#8243; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1764577421675{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;relative_pos&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;firstblock guide-wrapper-row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1765897502487{background-color: #ffffff !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;4\/5&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;resume_block&#8221;][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;content_block&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rental charges are referred to as recoverable charges in real estate law. They correspond to expenses paid by the landlord on behalf of the tenant, and which the tenant must reimburse. Not all charges identified as rental charges are automatically recoverable. They therefore require close attention, as their average level represents around 20% of the rent, and up to 40% in high-end properties offering premium services.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Rental Charges: What Is the Difference Between Recoverable and Non-Recoverable Charges?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The legal principle used to distinguish recoverable from non-recoverable charges is the following: only expenses <\/span><b>corresponding to services from which the tenant directly benefits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be recovered by the landlord. If the tenant does not benefit directly, the charge cannot be passed on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Article 23 of the Law of 6 July 1989 and its implementing decree provide a limitative list that can be summarised into three categories:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Services linked to the dwelling and the use of the building: cold and hot water, collective heating, elevator, cleaning of common areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Routine maintenance and minor repairs: cleaning products, light bulbs for common areas, maintenance contracts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taxes: household waste collection, street cleaning, sanitation when collective.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The landlord\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/buyers-guides\/what-should-you-know-about-condominium-fees-before-buying\/\">condominium fees<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are therefore only partially recoverable from the tenant.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Distinguish Routine Maintenance from Repairs?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The distinction is crucial because routine maintenance expenses are recoverable, whereas repair-related expenses are not. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance of the <\/span><b>collective boiler<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is recoverable, whereas replacing the boiler is not.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance of <\/span><b>green areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is recoverable, but full landscaping renovations remain the landlord\u2019s responsibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly maintenance of the <\/span><b>elevator<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (around \u20ac200\/month for a 20-unit building) and minor repairs are indeed recoverable. However, replacing the motor (around \u20ac15,000) or upgrading it to current standards (approximately \u20ac30,000) is borne by the landlord.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same logic applies to heating: annual maintenance and chimney sweeping are recoverable, whereas replacing the boiler or radiators is not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This distinction aims to protect the tenant: it prevents the tenant from bearing investment costs that increase the landlord\u2019s property value.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Which Specific Charges Can Be Billed to the Tenant?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legifrance.gouv.fr\/loda\/id\/LEGITEXT000006066149\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1987 Decree<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides an exhaustive list of charges the landlord may recover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Water and energy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> represent the largest category. Recoverable charges include cold and hot water consumption, collective heating and its hot water production, and electricity for common areas. Routine maintenance of installations (boiler, pipes, meters) and products needed for water treatment are also recoverable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Services relating to hygiene and safety<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> form the second category. The concierge\u2019s salary is recoverable up to 75%, as the remaining 25% corresponds to administrative tasks performed on behalf of the landlord. Cleaning common areas (labour and cleaning products), household waste removal, and pest control services are also included.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Maintenance of collective equipment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> constitutes the third category. This includes the elevator (maintenance, minor repairs, electricity), security equipment (intercom, entry code, automatic door), collective antennas, and green areas depending on the building. For the latter, only routine maintenance (mowing, trimming, watering) and small equipment purchases are recoverable; creation or redesign projects remain at the landlord\u2019s expense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Recoverable taxes and fees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are limited to three items: household waste collection tax, sanitation fee if collective, and street cleaning tax where applicable. Property tax, even though it finances services the tenant benefits from, remains entirely the landlord\u2019s responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Calculate and Regularise Rental Charges?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In practice, the landlord requests <\/span><b>monthly provisions based on the previous year\u2019s charges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These provisions are added to the rent and must appear separately on the receipt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a year, the landlord prepares the actual charge statement and proceeds with regularisation. If too much was paid, the tenant is reimbursed; if not enough, the tenant pays the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tenant has a right to verify the charges. They may request supporting documents: invoices, maintenance contracts, condominium charge statements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This verification can be exercised for one month following the charge statement. In the event of an error, the tenant has up to five years to claim reimbursement (five-year limitation period).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Landlords who have subscribed to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/investment-guides\/rental-investment\/rental-guarantee\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rental guarantee insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must be particularly rigorous with their charge accounting to avoid disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are the Specificities for Furnished and High-End Rentals?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furnished rentals follow a special regime, as they generally allow for <\/span><b>flat-rate charges without detailed justification<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This flat fee, negotiated in the lease, simplifies management. However, it must remain proportional to actual expenses to avoid requalification as a disguised rent supplement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High-end properties involve specific and often substantial charges, such as 24\/7 concierge service, a private gym, a spa, or daily maintained gardens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These premium services generate significant costs but enhance the rental value. For example, an apartment on Avenue Montaigne with all such services may involve \u20ac1,000 in monthly charges for 150 m\u00b2. Tenants accept these amounts because they correspond to real, directly enjoyed services.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Handle Disputes Regarding Rental Charges?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In practice, most disputes concern three main issues:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>nature of charges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the tenant disputes whether certain expenses are recoverable. Solution: strictly follow the 1987 decree\u2014any charge not listed is non-recoverable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>amount of monthly provisions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: too high compared to actual expenses. A practical solution is to adjust provisions after each annual regularisation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>absence of supporting documents<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the landlord fails to provide the required documents. Without justification within one month, the tenant may withhold charge payments from future rent until documents are produced. The Departmental Conciliation Commission may intervene free of charge in persistent disputes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For high-end properties, a professional property manager avoids these pitfalls thanks to rigorous and transparent accounting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To optimise the management of rental charges in your premium investments, <\/span><b>Consultants Immobilier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and its network of 18 agencies assist you with producing compliant charge statements, negotiating with condominium managers to control common charges, and securing the legal framework of your rental income while protecting the rights of all parties involved.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_id=&#8221;summary_column&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rental Charges: Tips to Identify and Manage Recoverable Costs, Annual Adjustments, Disputes, and Specific Rules for Furnished and High-End Rentals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":13148,"parent":10812,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"single-guide.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13154","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13154"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13157,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13154\/revisions\/13157"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}