Skip to main content
Annotated agreements

French law · Prepare your case, step by step

French short-term commercial lease

A French bail dérogatoire allows occupation outside the commercial-lease regime under defined conditions. It is not merely a shorter version of a standard commercial lease. Locate earlier leases between the same parties for the same premises and plan the exit records. The timeline organises agreed dates without deciding reclassification or guaranteeing the consequences of remaining in occupation.

Go to the organiser

Which distinctions change the document review?

French short-term commercial lease · situations to distinguish
SituationPurposeRecord to examine
Bail dérogatoireOccupation outside the regime under its legal conditionsLease history, term and exit
Commercial leaseOccupation under the commercial-lease regimeProtections and renewal rights specific to that regime
Source 1Source 2

What distinguishes a bail dérogatoire from the commercial regime?

A short-term derogatory lease deliberately opts out of the commercial-lease regime, within a cap on the cumulative term for the same parties and premises.

Source 1

Does a short lease retain the same protections?

A statutory commercial lease offers protections including renewal rules; the short lease is not simply a shortened standard lease.

Source 2

Why document departure and key return?

Document departure and any continued occupation: remaining after expiry can trigger commercial-lease rules when statutory conditions are met.

Source 1
Fictional example · adapt to your facts

Why should a six-month term not be read alone?

A designer plans a six-month trial shop. She finds an earlier short lease agreed with the same landlord for the same premises.

The resulting sheet
Document
Draft and earlier leases for the premises
Question
Does a short lease retain the same protections?
Next check
Bring the lease history and exit arrangements together before considering the proposed term on its own.

Bring the lease history and exit arrangements together before considering the proposed term on its own.

READ THE DOCUMENT

Which earlier leases should be located?

Locate and reconcile these records: Draft and earlier leases for the premises ; Agreed dates, activity and inventory ; Exit correspondence and key return record. Mark missing or uncertain records explicitly.

  1. Draft and earlier leases for the premises

    What distinguishes a bail dérogatoire from the commercial regime?

  2. Agreed dates, activity and inventory

    Does a short lease retain the same protections?

  3. Exit correspondence and key return record

    Why document departure and key return?

01 / Prepare my file

How can I prepare my document review?

This organiser assembles your choices on this page. Fields are not sent automatically and are not retained after reloading.

Your starting documents
The point to check

A short-term derogatory lease deliberately opts out of the commercial-lease regime, within a cap on the cumulative term for the same parties and premises. Record the relevant passage and any missing information.

Which earlier leases should be located?

Locate and reconcile these records: Draft and earlier leases for the premises ; Agreed dates, activity and inventory ; Exit correspondence and key return record. Mark missing or uncertain records explicitly.

  • Draft and earlier leases for the premises
  • Agreed dates, activity and inventory
  • Exit correspondence and key return record
JULIE / QUESTIONS

What should I know before acting?

What distinguishes a bail dérogatoire from the commercial regime?

A short-term derogatory lease deliberately opts out of the commercial-lease regime, within a cap on the cumulative term for the same parties and premises.

Source 1

Does a short lease retain the same protections?

A statutory commercial lease offers protections including renewal rules; the short lease is not simply a shortened standard lease.

Source 2

Why document departure and key return?

Document departure and any continued occupation: remaining after expiry can trigger commercial-lease rules when statutory conditions are met.

Source 1

Which earlier leases should be located?

Locate and reconcile these records: Draft and earlier leases for the premises ; Agreed dates, activity and inventory ; Exit correspondence and key return record. Mark missing or uncertain records explicitly.

Source 1Source 2

Why should a six-month term not be read alone?

Fictional example. A designer plans a six-month trial shop. She finds an earlier short lease agreed with the same landlord for the same premises. Bring the lease history and exit arrangements together before considering the proposed term on its own.

Which continued-occupation issues need review?

Avoid these shortcuts: Equating a derogatory lease with a precarious-occupation agreement ; Promising a cost-free exit at any time.

Source 1Source 2

What can the lease chronology show?

The organiser retains the selected issue, available records and your notes. It submits nothing to an authority and makes no legal eligibility decision. Bring the lease history and exit arrangements together before considering the proposed term on its own.

How can Julie help prepare exit questions?

Julie can explain the cited French-law sources and help examine the selected document issue. Bring this specific question: Does a short lease retain the same protections? Keep uncertain facts marked and obtain professional review of consequential decisions.

JULIE PRO

How can I continue with Julie?

Continue with Julie: sourced questions, document analysis and assisted drafting.

Become Pro
French law only. Sources consulted on 21 September 2026.

Which official sources should I check?

Which related task can I prepare next?

French commercial lease checklist for a foreign companyCompare professional and commercial leases in FranceFrench business lease-management agreementCompare AI legal assistants for French lawJulie plans and pricing

General information about French law. This organiser does not file or send an application. Have consequential choices checked by the relevant professional.