Rent increases in France: applying the IRL each year
Updated 8 October 2026 · By the Loyski team
Once a year, the rent of a home let in France can follow INSEE's rent reference index (IRL). The lease still has to allow it, you have to use the right quarter, ask in time and remember the freeze for F and G homes. The full method, with a worked example.
The conditions for a rent increase
- A rent review clause in the lease (clause de révision). Without it, the rent stays fixed for the whole lease.
- Once a year, on the date set in the lease or, failing that, its anniversary (article 17-1 of the law of 6 July 1989).
- A home that isn't rated F or G on the energy performance certificate (DPE): since the Climate and Resilience law, their rent can no longer go up (since 24 August 2022 in mainland France, 1 July 2024 overseas).
The calculation
New rent = current rent excluding charges × IRL for this year's reference quarter ÷ IRL for the same quarter of the previous year.
The reference quarter is the one stated in the lease. If it isn't stated, it's the latest IRL published on the date the lease was signed. On the review date, take the latest IRL published for that quarter and compare it with the previous year's.
Example. A lease signed on 1 October 2024 sets a rent of €720 excluding charges and Q2 as the reference quarter. On 1 October 2026, the latest Q2 IRL published is 2026's: 148.37. Q2 2025 was 146.68. New rent: 720 × 148.37 ÷ 146.68 = €728.30, i.e. €8.30 more a month.
The rent increase calculator does this with up-to-date values. Latest IRL published: Q2 2026 = 148.37 (1.15% over one year). Every value is in the IRL table.
Deadlines: one year, never backdated
Since the ALUR law, the landlord has one year after the review date to say they want to increase the rent. Then:
- requested before or on the review date, the increase applies from that date;
- requested late but within the year, it only applies from the request: no back-payment for past months;
- requested more than a year later, that year's increase is lost.
Forgotten years can't be caught up either: the increase can never exceed the change in the IRL over one year. A landlord who hasn't reviewed the rent for three years can only apply the last year's change.
Telling the tenant
Send a letter or email, in French, mentioning: the lease clause, the old rent, the two IRL values (quarter and year), the calculation, the new rent and the date it applies from. Charges aren't affected by the review. Remind tenants who pay by standing order that they need to change the amount.
The rent shield (2022-2024)
For increases based on the IRL from Q3 2022 to Q1 2024, the rise was capped at 3.5% a year in mainland France (with different rates in Corsica and overseas). For mainland France, the values INSEE published for those quarters already include the cap. Since Q2 2024, the IRL is no longer capped.
Never forget the rent review again
Loyski knows each lease's anniversary and fetches every new IRL as soon as it's published. When the increase becomes possible, you get an email with the new rent worked out; with Premium, one click applies it and sends the French letter to your tenant.
Rent tracked, receipts sent, IRL rent increases and charges at the right time. Free for one property.
Frequently asked questions
Is the rent increase automatic in France?
No. Even if the lease contains a rent review clause, the landlord has to ask the tenant for it. Without a request within the year after the review date, that year's increase is lost.
How do I tell the tenant about the increase?
In writing, in French: a letter or email stating the old rent, the indices used, the calculation and the new rent, with the date it applies from. A registered letter isn't compulsory but proves the date of the request.
Can the tenant refuse the increase?
No, if it follows the lease clause and the legal formula: it's binding. If they disagree with the calculation, the departmental conciliation committee (commission départementale de conciliation) can be asked to help.
Can the review lower the rent?
In theory yes, if the IRL falls over a year, which is rare. The landlord doesn't have to ask for an increase, but the clause works both ways.
Can rent be increased other than through the yearly review?
During the lease, only after improvement works if a clause provides for it. On renewal, a re-evaluation is possible if the rent is clearly undervalued, under a strict procedure. Homes rated F or G are excluded from any increase.
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.