Housing and property · Property sale · ending exclusivity
Ending an exclusive French estate-agent mandate
For an exclusive French property-sale mandate, read the term and clauses before giving notice. Article 78 generally allows termination after three months with at least fifteen days notice by registered letter with acknowledgement, subject to excluded transactions. Initial consumer withdrawal, expiry and the consequences of a penalty clause are separate questions. Ending the mandate does not automatically erase every obligation.
- Documented notice
- Conspicuous clause
- End and penalty differ
- Official texts cited
- Sources checked on
- Drafted with AI assistance, our method
General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.
Julie by AlphaDeep
Is three months always an unchangeable minimum duration?
No. Distinguish the contractual term, termination rule and excluded transactions; read the particular conditions.
Read the referencesYou want to end an exclusive mandate: let’s review its term, clauses and proposed notice.
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When can an exclusive estate-agent mandate be terminated?
Under Article 78’s general framework, after three months from signature either party may give at least fifteen days notice by registered letter with acknowledgement. Specified transactions, including certain sales by lots, are excluded from that general rule. Check the mandate instead of assuming a universal term.
Related step: Housing and property
What should an exclusivity or penalty clause show?
The clause must be express, conspicuous and included in a copy delivered to the principal. Its amount cannot exceed the agreed transaction fees. That alone establishes neither breach nor payment: examine the alleged event, introduced purchasers and precise commitments.
Related step: Estate agent fees in France in 2026: the caps when renting, the rules on a sale and the fees the agency cannot charge you
Do initial viewings eliminate every withdrawal right?
Not merely because viewings began. For a paid distance or off-premises service, legislation regulates the express request to start, proportionate payment and loss of withdrawal after full performance. Keep those conditions separate from ordinary mandate termination.
Related step: Selling a home in France: the calendar from the preliminary contract to the deed, step by step
Code de la consommation, article L221-25Code de la consommation, article L221-28
Which way of ending the mandate is being examined?
| Mechanism | Check |
|---|---|
| Termination notice | Article 78, notice and exceptions |
| Expiry | Term and renewal |
| Withdrawal | Channel, commencement and full performance |
| Penalty | Clause, asserted breach and amount |
Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 78Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 72Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 73Code de la consommation, article L221-25Code de la consommation, article L221-28
Is a viewing slip enough to claim the commission?
The professional needs a prior written mandate and identifiable remuneration terms. A viewing slip does not replace them. The completed transaction, designated payer and any penalty clause also matter; distinguish fees from an asserted contractual penalty.
Related step: French power of attorney: define its scope
Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 72Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 73Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 78
What does the governing text say about ending exclusivity?
Passé un délai de trois mois à compter de sa signature, le mandat contenant une telle clause peut être dénoncé à tout moment par chacune des parties, à charge pour celle qui entend y mettre fin d'en aviser l'autre partie quinze jours au moins à l'avance par lettre recommandée avec demande d'avis de réception.
In plain English: The general termination rule has exceptions; withdrawal and financial consequences remain separate analyses.
How can clauses and the termination notice be reviewed?
The fictional example separates signature, documented notice and requested end without certifying the last date.
Fictional example · Your preparation worksheet
After three months, the general framework provides at least fifteen days notice by registered letter with acknowledgement. Check the transaction, notice and surviving clauses.
Draft for review · starts with a fictional example
Retained signature date
2026-06-15
Three-month marker
2026-09-15; verify transaction and rules
Notice and requested end
2026-10-20 → 2026-11-10; check the notice period
Subject: request to end the exclusive mandate signed on 2026-06-15.
I request an end on the proposed date 2026-11-10, subject to checking the applicable notice and documented notification on 2026-10-20.
Please confirm the date retained and identify any obligations you consider to survive, with the relevant clause and evidence of introduced purchasers.
Identify the signed mandate, term, reference and copy supplied to the principal.
Separate exclusivity, penalty clause, introduced buyers and agreed remuneration.
Have dates checked and use the required notice method, retaining acknowledgement and sent wording.
The requested date is not certified. The worksheet does not validate registered notice receipt, initial withdrawal or cancellation of a penalty clause.
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What evidence should remain after requesting termination?
Retain the mandate and annexes, notice wording, sending and receipt evidence, introduced-buyer list and agent response. Ask which end date is accepted and what obligations allegedly survive. A date entered into the tool proves neither notification nor absence of dispute.
What else should you know about ending exclusivity?
Is three months always an unchangeable minimum duration?
No. Distinguish the contractual term, termination rule and excluded transactions; read the particular conditions.
Does termination automatically remove a disputed penalty?
No. Check the clause, facts and amount asserted; the worksheet does not decide validity.
Should the registered-mail receipt be kept with the notice wording?
Yes. Retain the sent copy so notification evidence can be tied to the exact request.
Can the agent demand fees from any party?
No. Remuneration and its designated payer must be specified under the applicable mandate framework.
Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 72Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 73
Which sources explain ending exclusivity?
- Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 72Légifrance / DILA
- Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 73Légifrance / DILA
- Décret du 20 juillet 1972, article 78Légifrance / DILA
- Code de la consommation, article L221-25Légifrance / DILA
- Code de la consommation, article L221-28Légifrance / DILA
- Quel mandat de vente peut-on confier à un agent immobilier ?Service Public / DILA
Texts cited last checked: 20 October 2026