2025.09.13

Expressions for Signing a Rental Contract｜French Everyday Phrases

Izumi

When studying abroad or staying for a longer period, one often needs to sign a rental contract to rent an apartment or a room.

In French-speaking countries, it is essential to confirm basic conditions such as rent, contract duration, and security deposit.

Here, I will introduce useful phrases for rental agreements, along with explanations of grammar and vocabulary.

Contents

Dialogue
Grammar and Expression Points
Summary

Dialogue

Bonjour, je viens pour visiter l’appartement à louer.
(Hello, I’ve come to visit the apartment for rent.)

Bonjour, entrez, je vais vous montrer les pièces.
(Hello, please come in. I will show you the rooms.)

Combien est le loyer par mois ?
(How much is the rent per month?)

Le loyer est de 750 euros par mois, charges comprises.
(The rent is 750 euros per month, utilities included.)

Quelle est la durée du contrat ?
(What is the duration of the contract?)

Le contrat est d’un an, renouvelable.
(The contract is for one year, renewable.)

Grammar and Expression Points

1. The verb louer (to rent/let)

In French, the verb louer can mean both “to rent” (as a tenant) and “to let” (as a landlord). The meaning depends on the context.

Je voudrais louer un studio.
(I would like to rent a studio apartment.)
Appartement à louer.
(Apartment for rent.)

In rental ads, the phrase “à louer” (for rent) frequently appears.

2. Asking about the rent

The French word for rent is le loyer. To ask about the rent, you can use:

Combien est le loyer par mois ?
(How much is the rent per month?)

A possible answer:

Le loyer est de 750 euros par mois, charges comprises.
(The rent is 750 euros per month, utilities included.)

Here, “charges” refers broadly to utilities and fees such as water, electricity, heating, and maintenance charges. This is an important point to confirm when signing a contract.

charges comprises = utilities included
charges non comprises = utilities not included

3. Asking about the contract duration

It is always necessary to confirm the duration of the rental contract.

Quelle est la durée du contrat ?
(What is the duration of the contract?)

Example answer:

Le contrat est d’un an, renouvelable.
(The contract is for one year, renewable.)

The word renouvelable means “renewable.” Student rental agreements are often offered on a six-month or one-year renewable basis.

4. Confirming the security deposit and other conditions

Besides rent, you will also need to ask about the security deposit and whether the apartment is furnished.

Est-ce que la caution est obligatoire ?
(Is the security deposit required?)
Est-ce que les meubles sont inclus ?
(Are the furnishings included?)
Puis-je visiter l’appartement avant de signer ?
(Can I visit the apartment before signing?)

Key terms commonly used in rental contracts:

caution = security deposit (partially or fully refundable upon moving out)
meublé = furnished
non meublé = unfurnished
bail = the rental contract itself
état des lieux = condition report (important to prevent disputes at the end of tenancy)

Summary

louer: can mean both “to rent” and “to let,” depending on the context.
le loyer: “rent.” Always check if it is charges comprises (utilities included) or charges non comprises (utilities not included).
Quelle est la durée du contrat ?: “What is the duration of the contract?”
renouvelable: “renewable,” a useful word in rental agreements.
Other important terms include caution (deposit), meublé (furnished), non meublé (unfurnished), and état des lieux(condition report).