Consumer and banking · Credit · broker fees
French mortgage brokers: when are fees payable?
A broker helping obtain a loan cannot collect the specified advances, commissions or fees before actual disbursement of the borrowed funds. Approval in principle or an accepted offer is insufficient. After disbursement, still check the written mandate, service and agreed amount. The legislative transition on 20 November 2026 requires checking for the operation concerned.
- 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 approval in principle disbursement?
No. The relevant evidence concerns actual disbursement of borrowed funds.
Read the referencesA broker is requesting fees: let’s check the mandate and loan disbursement.
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Which event permits considering collection?
L519-6 prohibits collection of the specified sums before actual loan disbursement. Retain bank evidence of that event: preliminary approval, issued offer and acceptance do not replace it.
Related step: Consumer and banking
Does disbursement automatically make every fee payable?
No. It removes a bar to early collection; it does not establish the agreed price or service owed. Review the mandate, any success conditions and invoice evidence.
Related step: Insurance broker advice and liability in France
Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article R519-26
Which documents belong together?
| Point | Check |
|---|---|
| Mandate | Written service and price |
| Loan | Actual-disbursement evidence |
| Invoice | Amount and timing |
Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article R519-26
Which written agreements need checking?
Any customer fees and remuneration are agreed in writing or on a durable medium before the operation or preparatory work. Separate lender remuneration and identify any genuinely distinct advisory service.
Related step: French mortgage offers: when can you accept?
Code monétaire et financier, article R519-26Code monétaire et financier, article R519-28
What does the governing text say about broker fees?
Il est interdit à toute personne physique ou morale qui apporte son concours, à quelque titre que ce soit et de quelque manière que ce soit, directement ou indirectement, à l'obtention ou à l'octroi d'un prêt d'argent, de percevoir une somme représentative de provision, de commissions, de frais de recherche, de démarches, de constitution de dossier ou d'entremise quelconque, avant le versement effectif des fonds prêtés.
In plain English: L519-6 prohibits collection of the specified sums before actual loan disbursement. Retain bank evidence of that event: preliminary approval, issued offer and acceptance do not replace it.
How can the fee request be reviewed?
Fictional example: a €1,500 invoice and accepted offer do not prove disbursement.
Fictional example · Your preparation worksheet
Before actual disbursement, L519-6 bars collecting the specified sums for arranging the loan. Afterwards, fee amount and mandate still need review.
| Item to check | Value or document |
|---|---|
| Requested fee | €1500, without validating the debt |
| Version to review | Text applicable before 20 November 2026 |
Distinguish approval, accepted offer and bank evidence of actual disbursement.
Match written mandate, agreed service, invoice and any lender remuneration.
Ask for evidence of timing and the fee clause before characterising the balance.
An accepted offer is not disbursement. A distinct advisory service needs its own review; no national flat fee is calculated.
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Why retain the date and statutory version?
On 20 October 2026, the version effective since 2011 remains applicable until the 20 November transition. The next version retains the actual-disbursement rule; recheck scope and regime at the relevant date.
Related step: Challenging an incorrect French mortgage APR
Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6
How can an early-fee complaint be prepared?
Attach mandate, invoice, payment request, loan correspondence and evidence of its actual status. Ask for the contractual basis and claimed disbursement event. The table prepares this comparison without deciding a separate advice dispute.
Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article R519-26
What else should you know about broker fees?
Is approval in principle disbursement?
No. The relevant evidence concerns actual disbursement of borrowed funds.
Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6
Does a national percentage set the fee?
No. Check the agreed written amount and conditions.
Is an insurance broker covered by this same dossier?
This worksheet concerns arranging a loan, not insurance-advice liability.
Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6
Should the law be rechecked in November 2026?
Yes. A new L519-6 version takes effect on 20 November.
Which sources explain broker fees?
- Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Légifrance
- Code monétaire et financier, article R519-26Légifrance
- Code monétaire et financier, article R519-28Légifrance
- Service Public : obtenir un crédit immobilierService Public
- Code monétaire et financier, article L519-6Légifrance
Texts cited last checked: 20 October 2026