Housing and property · Renting · pets
No-pets clauses in leases in France: what a landlord can and cannot require
Under French law, a lease clause banning a pet such as a cat or a dog is deemed unwritten: it has no effect, even if you signed it (Law no. 70-598 of 9 July 1970, article 10). Two limits apply: the animal must not damage the building or disturb other occupants, and the lease may ban category 1 attack dogs. The only exception is a seasonal rental of a furnished tourist property.
- Cat or dog: no-pets clause is void
- Category 1 dog: a ban is valid
- Damage: proven costs come off the deposit
- 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.
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Can a landlord ask for an extra deposit because you have a pet?
No, a French landlord cannot ask for a higher security deposit or a special payment because you have a pet. The deposit is capped at 1 month’s rent excluding charges for an unfurnished let and 2 months for a furnished one (Law of 6 July 1989, articles 22 and 25-6), and any clause requiring payments on moving in beyond those the law allows is deemed unwritten (article 4, o).
Read the referencesYour French lease bans pets, or your landlord objects to your cat or dog: I can check whether the clause applies to your home and what the landlord can actually hold against you.
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Which figures matter for pets in rented housing in France?
These figures come from the statutes themselves: they are rules, not statistics.
- Exception to the nullity of a no-pets clause: seasonal rental of a furnished tourist property
- 1 exception
- Wording in force since 24 March 2012 · Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970, article 10
- Category of dogs a lease may ban: category 1 attack dogs
- 1 category
- Rural Code, article L211-12, in force since 22 June 2008 · Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970, article 10, and Code rural et de la pêche maritime, article L211-12
- Deposit cap in rent excluding charges: unfurnished, then furnished
- 1 month / 2 months
- In force since 27 March 2014 · Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989, articles 22 and 25-6
Is the pet clause in your lease valid?
Enter the type of let, the animal and what happened: the checker applies article 10 of the French law of 9 July 1970, then works out the deposit cap and the return deadlines. It does not say how a judge would decide a dispute.
Fictional example · What the pet clause in your French lease is worth
Clause deemed unwritten. For a pet in a home let as your main residence, article 10 of the law of 9 July 1970 deprives the clause of any effect, even if you signed it. The landlord has nothing to hold against you as long as the pet causes no damage to the building and no disturbance to the occupants. Answer any letter by citing this article.
- Maximum deposit, unfurnished let (1 month)
- 750.00
- Maximum deposit, furnished main home (2 months)
- 1,500.00
- Deposit back by, if the check-out inventory matches
- 2027-01-31
- Deposit back by, if there are differences
- 2027-02-28
- Penalty per month of delay started (10 % of rent)
- 75.00
- Reread the lease: find the pet clause and check whether it is a main-home let or a seasonal rental.
- When you leave, claim the deposit by 2027-01-31 if the inventory matches, or by 2027-02-28 otherwise, with an itemised, evidenced list of any deduction.
This checker applies article 10 of the law of 9 July 1970 and articles 22 and 25-6 of the law of 6 July 1989 to your answers. It does not predict a court decision.
Can a furnished let or a holiday rental ban pets in France?
A furnished let that is your main home cannot ban a cat or a dog: only a seasonal rental of a furnished tourist property (meublé de tourisme) is exempt (Law no. 70-598 of 9 July 1970, article 10). The law targets any clause that tends to forbid a pet (animal familier) in a dwelling, whether the flat is furnished or unfurnished. The specific rules on furnished leases used as a main home do not change this (Law of 6 July 1989, article 25-3).
The Tourism Code defines a furnished tourist property as a furnished villa, flat or studio, for the tenant’s exclusive use, offered to passing guests who do not make it their home, and rented by the day, week or month (article L324-1-1). In that case, and only in that case, the owner may refuse animals. A holiday rental booked on a platform normally falls within this definition; a furnished flat you live in all year does not.
Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 25-3Code du tourisme (Tourism Code) : article L324-1-1
Which dogs can a French landlord ban, and which must they accept?
A French lease may ban only category 1 dogs, the attack dogs (chiens d’attaque); it cannot ban a category 2 dog (guard and defence dog) or a dog outside both categories (Law of 9 July 1970, article 10, and Rural Code, article L211-12). The breeds and types in each category are listed in an order (arrêté) of the Interior and Agriculture ministers.
For both categories, other rules apply whatever the lease says. The keeper needs a keeping permit (permis de détention) from the mayor of the town where they live, which requires, among other things, the dog’s identification, a valid rabies vaccination and third-party liability insurance (article L211-14). In the common parts of a block of flats, both categories must be muzzled and kept on a lead by an adult, and a category 1 dog may not stay there (article L211-16). A landlord who considers a dog dangerous can refer the matter to the mayor, who decides what measures to take.
Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10Code rural et de la pêche maritime (Rural Code) : article L211-12Code rural et de la pêche maritime : article L211-14Code rural et de la pêche maritime : article L211-16
What does article 10 of the French law of 9 July 1970 say?
I - Sauf dans les contrats de location saisonnière de meublés de tourisme, est réputée non écrite toute stipulation tendant à interdire la détention d'un animal dans un local d'habitation dans la mesure où elle concerne un animal familier. Cette détention est toutefois subordonnée au fait que ledit animal ne cause aucun dégât à l'immeuble ni aucun trouble de jouissance aux occupants de celui-ci.
Est licite la stipulation tendant à interdire la détention d'un chien appartenant à la première catégorie mentionnée à l'article L. 211-12 du code rural et de la pêche maritime.
In plain English: A clause banning a pet in a dwelling has no effect, even if signed, except in a seasonal rental of a furnished tourist property. The pet must not damage the building or disturb its occupants. A lease may, however, ban a category 1 attack dog.
Category 1 dogs are defined by article L211-12 of the French Rural Code (Code rural et de la pêche maritime).
Unfurnished, furnished, holiday let, category 1 dog: what can the lease ban?
| Situation | No-pets clause | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unfurnished main home, cat or dog | Deemed unwritten (void) | Law no. 70-598, art. 10 |
| Furnished let used as a main home | Deemed unwritten (void) | Law no. 70-598, art. 10; Law no. 89-462, art. 25-3 |
| Seasonal rental of a furnished tourist property | Valid: the owner may refuse animals | Law no. 70-598, art. 10; Tourism Code, art. L324-1-1 |
| Category 1 dog (attack dog) | Valid | Law no. 70-598, art. 10; Rural Code, art. L211-12 |
| Category 2 dog (guard and defence) | Deemed unwritten; keeping permit required | Law no. 70-598, art. 10; Rural Code, art. L211-14 |
| Pet causing damage or disturbance | Protection ends: deposit deduction, termination by a judge possible | Law no. 70-598, art. 10; Civil Code, art. 1729 and 1732 |
Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 25-3Code du tourisme (Tourism Code) : article L324-1-1Code rural et de la pêche maritime (Rural Code) : article L211-12Code rural et de la pêche maritime : article L211-14Code civil : article 1729Code civil (Civil Code) : article 1732
Can a French landlord keep your deposit for damage caused by a pet?
Yes, a French landlord can keep part of your security deposit (dépôt de garantie) for damage your pet caused, provided the cost is proven: deductions are allowed only for amounts that are « dûment justifiées », properly evidenced (Law of 6 July 1989, article 22). You answer for damage that occurs during the lease unless you prove force majeure, the landlord’s fault or the act of a third party you did not let in (article 7, c). If the damage exceeds the deposit, the landlord can claim the rest (Civil Code, article 1732).
According to articles 22 and 25-6 of the same law, the deposit cannot exceed 1 month’s rent excluding service charges for an unfurnished let and 2 months for a furnished one. It must be returned within one month of handing back the keys if the check-out inventory (état des lieux) matches the check-in one, and within two months otherwise; each month of delay started adds 10 % of the monthly rent. Compare both inventories: a scratch already noted at check-in did not happen during your lease. A clause making you automatically liable for any damage is deemed unwritten (article 4, q).
Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 (Law of 6 July 1989) : article 22Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 7Code civil (Civil Code) : article 1732Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 25-6Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 4
Can a dog that disturbs the neighbours lead to the end of your lease?
Yes, but not automatically: a dog that disturbs other occupants loses the protection of the 1970 law, and the landlord can then ask a judge to terminate the lease. Article 10 of that law allows a pet only as long as it causes no damage to the building and no disturbance to its occupants (trouble de jouissance). A tenant must use the home peacefully (Law of 6 July 1989, article 7, b) and reasonably (Civil Code, article 1728); if not, the landlord may, depending on the circumstances, have the lease terminated (article 1729).
The judge decides on the evidence: written complaints from neighbours, official reports, formal notices that went unanswered. The lease cannot provide for automatic termination because of a pet: apart from unpaid rent, the deposit and insurance, automatic termination is allowed only for neighbour disturbances established by a final court decision (Law of 6 July 1989, article 4, g). Answer every letter, show what you are changing (daytime care, training) and keep a record of each exchange.
Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 7Code civil : article 1728Code civil : article 1729Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 4
Do you have to tell your landlord that you have a pet?
No, no French law requires you to tell your landlord about a cat, a dog or another pet, either before signing or during the lease. A clause banning the pet is deemed unwritten (Law of 9 July 1970, article 10), and so is a clause imposing a fine or penalty for breaching the lease (Law of 6 July 1989, article 4, i).
Two cases are different. For a category 1 dog, a clause banning it is valid: keeping the dog despite it is a breach of the lease that the landlord can take to a judge. For a category 1 or 2 dog, you must hold the keeping permit issued by the mayor and third-party liability insurance for damage caused by the dog (Rural Code, article L211-14). For other pets, telling the landlord is your choice; it often prevents a dispute if a neighbour complains later.
Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 4Code rural et de la pêche maritime : article L211-14
What else do tenants with pets in France ask?
Can a landlord ask for an extra deposit because you have a pet?
No, a French landlord cannot ask for a higher security deposit or a special payment because you have a pet. The deposit is capped at 1 month’s rent excluding charges for an unfurnished let and 2 months for a furnished one (Law of 6 July 1989, articles 22 and 25-6), and any clause requiring payments on moving in beyond those the law allows is deemed unwritten (article 4, o).
Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 (Law of 6 July 1989) : article 22Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 25-6Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 4
Does a no-pets clause bind you if you signed it knowingly?
No, a no-pets clause in a French lease does not bind you, even if you read and signed it: article 10 of the law of 9 July 1970 deems it unwritten, meaning it is treated as if it did not exist. It applies only in two cases: a seasonal rental of a furnished tourist property and a ban on category 1 dogs.
Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10
Can a gîte in France refuse your dog?
Yes, a gîte in France can refuse your dog if it is let as a seasonal rental of a furnished tourist property: that is the only exception in article 10 of the law of 9 July 1970, in the wording in force since 24 March 2012. The Tourism Code defines such a property as a furnished home offered to passing guests by the day, week or month (article L324-1-1). Articles saying that every gîte pet ban is illegal overlook this exception.
Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10Code du tourisme (Tourism Code) : article L324-1-1
Do the same rules apply when you rent in Switzerland?
No, Swiss rental law has no rule like the French one: in Switzerland the lease (bail à loyer) and the house rules decide whether pets are allowed. The tenant must use the flat with care and show consideration for neighbours; if a breach continues despite a written warning and makes the lease unbearable, the landlord may terminate it with at least 30 days’ notice for the end of a month (Swiss Code of Obligations, article 257f).
Which French texts does this guide to pet clauses rely on?
- Loi n° 70-598 du 9 juillet 1970 (Law of 9 July 1970) : article 10République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Code rural et de la pêche maritime (Rural Code) : article L211-12République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 (Law of 6 July 1989) : article 22République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 25-6République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 25-3République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Code du tourisme (Tourism Code) : article L324-1-1République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Code rural et de la pêche maritime : article L211-14République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Code rural et de la pêche maritime : article L211-16République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 7République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Code civil (Civil Code) : article 1732République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Loi n° 89-462 du 6 juillet 1989 : article 4République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Code civil : article 1728République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Code civil : article 1729République française / DILA : Légifrance
- Swiss Code of Obligations (CO), art. 257f (in French)Swiss Confederation, Federal Chancellery : Fedlex
Texts cited last checked: 30 October 2026