Which leases does the IRL for Q1 2023 apply to?
- Leases whose rent review clause names Q1, whatever year they were signed.
- For a review dated from 16 April 2023 and before the IRL for Q1 2024 is published, expected in mid-April 2024. On the review date, you always take the latest index published for the lease's quarter.
- Leases signed while it was the latest published index and that name no quarter: it becomes their reference index.
Example: a €700 rent reviewed with the IRL for Q1 2023
You compare the index for Q1 2023 (138.61) with the one for Q1 2022 (133.93):
700 × 138.61 ÷ 133.93 = €724.46, i.e. €24.46 more per month and €293.52 over a year. Only the rent excluding charges is reviewed.
| Current rent excl. charges | Reviewed rent | Difference per month |
|---|---|---|
| €500.00 | €517.47 | +€17.47 |
| €700.00 | €724.46 | +€24.46 |
| €900.00 | €931.45 | +€31.45 |
| €1,200.00 | €1,241.93 | +€41.93 |
For your own rent, open the rent increase calculator pre-filled with Q1 2023 and change the amount.
An index capped by the "rent shield"
The law of 16 August 2022, extended by the law of 7 July 2023, capped the yearly change of the IRL at 3.5% in mainland France for the indices from Q3 2022 to Q1 2024. The value of 138.61 already includes this cap. The cap was 2.5% in the overseas territories, and a specific rate applied in Corsica: INSEE published separate series for those areas.
The Q1 IRL, year after year
| Quarter | IRL | Change over one year | In the Journal officiel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | 146.60 | +0.78% | 16 Apr 2026 |
| Q1 2025 | 145.47 | +1.40% | 16 Apr 2025 |
| Q1 2024 | 143.46 | +3.50% | 1 Jun 2024 |
| Q1 2023 | 138.61 | +3.49% | 16 Apr 2023 |
| Q1 2022 | 133.93 | +2.48% | 16 Apr 2022 |
| Q1 2021 | 130.69 | +0.09% | 17 Apr 2021 |
| Q1 2020 | 130.57 | +0.92% | 25 Jun 2020 |
| Q1 2019 | 129.38 | +1.70% | 12 Apr 2019 |
| Q1 2018 | 127.22 | +1.05% | 13 Apr 2018 |
| Q1 2017 | 125.90 | +0.51% | 14 Apr 2017 |
| Q1 2016 | 125.26 | +0.06% | 14 Apr 2016 |
| Q1 2015 | 125.19 | +0.15% | 17 Apr 2015 |
| Q1 2014 | 125.00 | +0.60% | 18 Apr 2014 |
| Q1 2013 | 124.25 | +1.54% | 16 Apr 2013 |
| Q1 2012 | 122.37 | +2.24% | 18 Apr 2012 |
| Q1 2011 | 119.69 | +1.60% | 16 Apr 2011 |
| Q1 2010 | 117.81 | +0.09% | 16 Apr 2010 |
| Q1 2009 | 117.70 | +2.24% | 17 Apr 2009 |
| Q1 2008 | 115.12 | +1.81% | 19 Apr 2008 |
| Q1 2007 | 113.07 | +1.44% | 14 Feb 2008 |
| Q1 2006 | 111.47 | +1.67% | 14 Feb 2008 |
| Q1 2005 | 109.64 | +1.71% | – |
| Q1 2004 | 107.80 | +1.54% | – |
| Q1 2003 | 106.17 | – | – |
The other quarters are in the full IRL table since 2008.
The rules to keep in mind
- The lease must contain a rent review clause; without one, the rent stays the same during the lease.
- The increase has to be requested: it is never backdated and is lost after one year.
- The IRL is a cap: you can apply a smaller increase, or none.
- Rent for a home rated F or G on the energy certificate (DPE) can no longer be increased.
The whole process, including the letter to the tenant, is in the guide to rent increases in France.
On your lease anniversary, the new rent is worked out and the French letter to your tenant is ready. Free for one property.
Frequently asked questions
What is the French IRL for Q1 2023?
The rent reference index (IRL) for Q1 2023 is 138.61, +3.49% over one year. It appeared in the Journal officiel on 16 April 2023 (source: INSEE).
Until when can the IRL for Q1 2023 be used?
It applies to rent reviews dated before the IRL for Q1 2024 is published, expected in mid-April 2024. The landlord then has one year after the review date to ask for the increase; after that, the increase for that year is lost.
My lease doesn't name a quarter: does this index apply?
Only if it was the latest IRL published on the day the lease was signed. In that case, Q1 remains the reference quarter for every later review.
Sources
- INSEE: official IRL series (001515333)
- French law no. 89-462 of 6 July 1989, article 17-1 (Légifrance)
- Service-public.fr: rent increases during the lease
- Service-public.fr: rent reference index (IRL)
This page gives general information and is no substitute for personal legal advice.