Recoverable charges in France: the full list (1987 decree)

The 8 categories of recoverable charges

The decree sorts recoverable charges into eight headings:

1. Lifts and goods lifts: electricity, operation, routine upkeep, minor repairs.
2. Cold water, hot water and shared heating: water used in the private and common areas, fuel, routine upkeep of the installations, meter readings.
3. Individual installations: routine upkeep and minor repairs of individual heating and hot water (boiler, water heater), if the landlord pays for them.
4. Indoor common areas: electricity, cleaning products, upkeep of timer lights, mats and rubbish chutes.
5. Outdoor areas: upkeep of paths, parking areas, green spaces and play areas.
6. Hygiene: pest control and disinfection products, supplies for rubbish disposal.
7. Miscellaneous equipment: subscriptions for shared phone lines, upkeep of shared equipment (communal aerial, intercom…).
8. Taxes and fees: refuse collection tax or fee, street cleaning tax, sewage charge.

On top of these come staff costs for cleaning the common areas and handling the rubbish. For a caretaker (gardien or concierge), only 75% of their pay is recoverable if they do both tasks, 40% if they do just one.

What isn't recoverable

• the property tax (except the refuse collection tax);
• the managing agent's (syndic) fees and management costs;
• the building insurance and the non-occupying owner insurance (PNO);
• major works, facade renovation, replacing equipment (boiler, lift);
• chasing or litigation costs, costs of issuing receipts or rent due notices;
• contributions to the building's works fund (fonds de travaux).

Advance or fixed charges?

For an unfurnished let, charges are paid as advances (provisions), reconciled every year against the actual costs (our reconciliation guide). For a furnished let or a flat share, the lease can set fixed charges (forfait): a set amount, never reconciled, which mustn't be clearly out of proportion with the actual charges.

Finding them on the building statement

Every year, the managing agent sends an individual statement that usually separates "récupérables" (or "locatives") charges from the others. Check it line by line against the list above, add the refuse collection tax from your taxe foncière notice and any costs you pay directly (a boiler servicing contract, for example), then compare the total with the advances paid using the reconciliation calculator.

Frequently asked questions

This guide gives general information about French law, accurate on its publication date. It doesn't replace personal legal or tax advice: if in doubt, the ADIL of the département where the property is located advises landlords and tenants for free.