Friendly reminder or formal notice: which one?
| Letter | When? | How to send it | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendly reminder (rappel amiable) | 7 to 10 days after the due date | Email or ordinary post | Points out the missed payment, offers to talk |
| Formal notice (mise en demeure) | 15 to 30 days after the due date | Registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt | Demands payment within 8 days, states what comes next |
Always start with a call or a message: most late payments are an oversight or a delayed transfer. The written reminder comes next, then the formal notice if nothing changes.
What the letter contains
- your details, the tenant's and the address of the property;
- the amounts owed, month by month, and the total;
- for the reminder: a courteous tone and an invitation to contact you if there's a difficulty;
- for the formal notice: an 8-day deadline, the warning of a bailiff's demand for payment (commandement de payer) and of a claim on the guarantor or insurance, and a reminder that the ADIL and the CAF can help the tenant.
The letter claims no penalties or reminder fees: they are not allowed in a French residential lease.
What comes after the formal notice?
If there's still no payment, tell the guarantor, report the arrears to your rent guarantee insurance or to Visale within the contract deadline, report them to the CAF if you receive housing benefit directly, then have a commissaire de justice serve a demand for payment. Every step is in our guide unpaid rent in France: from first reminder to court.
Frequently asked questions
When should I send an unpaid rent letter in France?
After a first contact that got no result, usually 7 to 10 days after the due date. If the friendly reminder doesn't work, send a formal notice (mise en demeure) by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt 15 to 30 days after the due date.
What's the difference between a reminder and a mise en demeure?
The reminder (rappel amiable) is a plain letter or email pointing out the missed payment. The mise en demeure is a registered letter demanding payment within a set time, often 8 days, and stating what comes next: a bailiff's demand for payment, a claim on the guarantor or the insurance.
Is a formal notice required before a bailiff's demand (commandement de payer)?
No, the law doesn't require it, but it proves you looked for an amicable solution and is often enough to settle things. It costs the price of a registered letter, far less than a demand served by a commissaire de justice.
Can I charge the tenant late fees?
No. In a French residential lease, any clause providing for penalties or fines for late payment is void (article 4 of the law of 6 July 1989). The letter therefore only claims the rent and charges owed.
Why is the letter in French?
Because it is addressed to your tenant under French tenancy law, and it may be used in a French court. You fill in the form in English; the PDF is in French.
Updated 10 October 2026. This tool gives general information about French tenancy law and doesn't replace personal legal advice.