In summary

📄 Section Content Summary
🏠 Introduction to the mobility lease Introduced by the ELAN law in 2018, aimed at tenants needing temporary furnished accommodation for professional or student mobility.
🤔 What is the mobility lease? A short-term, non-renewable furnished rental agreement without a security deposit, specifically for those in temporary situations such as students and professionals on short assignments.
🔍 Who can benefit from it? Eligibility is strictly reserved for those in a temporary situation, requiring documents such as employment contracts or educational enrollment confirmations.
🎓 Eligible profiles Students, trainees, temporary workers, and young people in civic service are the main eligible groups.
📋 Contract requirements The contract must include specific documents and meet certain criteria to comply with legal standards and protect both parties.
🛋️ Criteria for furnished housing Must include essential furniture and equipment to qualify as furnished under the conditions of the mobility lease.
Advantages for tenants and landlords Benefits include no security deposit, flexible rental terms, financial aid like APL for tenants, and risk mitigation such as Visale guarantee for landlords.
📑 Required documents Documents include proof of eligibility, property diagnostics, and possibly an inventory of furniture.
📝 Sample letter A template letter for tenants to prove their eligibility and request finalization of the contract.
📊 Conclusion Highlights the practicality and flexibility of the mobility lease for both landlords and temporary tenants.

The mobility lease is a flexible rental solution, introduced by the ELAN law in 2018. This rental contract is dedicated to tenants in a situation of professional or student mobility.

What is the mobility lease?

The mobility lease is a furnished rental agreement designed to meet temporary housing needs. This type of lease was introduced by the ELAN law in 2018, as part of a reform aimed at facilitating the mobility of workers and students in France. Unlike a traditional lease, the mobility lease stands out for its short duration and flexibility. It is specifically designed for people on temporary relocation, such as students, interns, or employees on professional assignments.

The mobility lease thus offers tenants the possibility to rent a furnished accommodation for a period ranging from 1 to 10 months. This duration is flexible but non-renewable. If, at the end of the lease, the tenant wishes to stay in the property, they must sign a new lease, which cannot be a mobility lease, but a standard furnished lease.

Another major advantage of the mobility lease is the absence of a security deposit. Unlike traditional leases where the landlord may request up to two months’ rent as a deposit, the mobility lease is specifically designed to ease this financial burden, thus facilitating access to housing for tenants in precarious or temporary situations.

The furnished housing provided under this lease must meet certain specific criteria. It must include a set of furniture and essential equipment that allow the tenant to live without bringing their own furniture. This criterion is fundamental because it mainly targets mobility individuals who cannot transport furniture from one place to another.

Characteristics Details
Minimum duration 1 month
Maximum duration 10 months
Security deposit None
Renewal Impossible
Concerned housing Furnished, with minimum equipment (kitchen, bedding, storage…)
Type of lease Non-renewable, non-retractable

Who can benefit from the mobility lease?

The mobility lease is specifically reserved for individuals who justify a temporary situation, allowing them to rent accommodation for a short period. This type of lease is particularly suitable for those who are not settled and who, for professional or educational reasons, need a furnished housing for a limited duration. Unlike traditional leases, tenants must justify their eligibility by providing specific documents, such as a employment contract, an internship agreement or an enrollment in training.

Eligible categories for the mobility lease are strictly regulated and include the following profiles:

  1. Students in higher education: This lease is ideal for students enrolled in a university, a grandes écoles, or any other higher education institution. Students doing short-term internships or participating in exchange programs for a few months are also eligible.
  2. Individuals in professional training: Those undergoing qualifying training, often as part of professional development or career change, can also benefit from the mobility lease. It allows them to find housing near their training location for a flexible period.
  3. Workers on temporary missions or in professional transfer: Employees sent on short-term missions to another city, or needing to move for a few months due to a professional transfer, are typical profiles for this type of lease. The mobility lease provides an ideal solution to housing needs without committing to a long-term lease.
  4. Young people engaged in civic service: Young people participating in civic service, who commit temporarily to actions of general interest, can also benefit from the mobility lease. These volunteers can easily find housing without worrying about a long-term commitment.

The reason for mobility must be explicitly stated in the lease agreement, and the tenant must be able to provide proof of their situation at the time of signing. This could be a student card, an internship agreement, an apprenticeship contract, an employer’s attestation in case of transfer, or a civic service agreement. The absence of these proof documents may lead to reclassification of the mobility lease as a standard furnished lease, with all the consequences that may entail for both the landlord and the tenant.

Eligible category Example of proof
Students Student card, enrollment certificate
Individuals in professional training Training contract, internship agreement
Workers on temporary missions Employer’s attestation, mission contract
Young people in civic service Civic service agreement

Advantages for tenants and landlords

The mobility lease offers many benefits for both tenants and landlords, providing flexibility and solutions tailored to temporary needs.

Advantages for tenants

  1. No security deposit: Unlike traditional leases, the mobility lease requires no security deposit. This is a major advantage for tenants, as it prevents them from having to pay a large sum upfront when signing the contract. It significantly reduces the initial costs of renting.
  2. Short and flexible duration: The mobility lease allows renting a property for a flexible period, from 1 to 10 months. Tenants can commit for a period that matches their temporary need, such as an internship or professional mission. It also protects them from long-term commitments.
  3. APLS available: Tenants in a mobility lease can benefit from Personalized Housing Allowances (APL), provided the housing is their primary residence. This is a significant financial advantage for students and people with modest incomes, helping to ease their rental burden.
Benefits for tenants Details
No security deposit No advance payment required at lease signing
Short and flexible duration Allows for a temporary, non-renewable commitment
APL available Tenants can access financial aid

Advantages for the landlord

  1. Management flexibility: The mobility lease is an excellent tool for landlords wanting to maximize the use of their property without committing to a long-term lease. It allows them to rent their property temporarily while retaining the ability to recover it more easily after the lease ends.
  2. Ability to combine with other leases: Landlords can combine a mobility lease with other types of rental agreements. For example, they can rent a property under a mobility lease during the school year, then switch to a seasonal rental during summer months. This flexibility helps optimize the profitability of the property.
  3. Visale guarantee against unpaid rent: Thanks to the Visale guarantee, offered by Action Logement, landlords are protected against rent unpaid. This free guarantee covers potential non-payment issues, reducing the rental risk for the landlord.
Benefits for the landlord Details
Management flexibility Allows temporary renting with easy recovery of the property
Ability to combine Can be combined with other lease types, such as seasonal rentals
Visale guarantee Protection against unpaid rent, provided by Action Logement

What documents are needed for a mobility lease?

To comply with the law, the mobility lease contract must include several mandatory documents and information. These elements ensure that the lease meets legal requirements and protects both the landlord and the tenant. Here is a list of documents to be provided when signing a mobility lease:

Required document Details
Proof of eligibility The tenant must provide a document proving their eligibility, such as an employment contract (short-term mission, professional transfer) or a registration in training (student card, internship agreement). This proof is essential to demonstrate that the tenant meets the specific criteria of the mobility lease.
Information notice The information notice is a mandatory document that details the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords. It informs about the legal aspects of the lease, including the contract duration, termination conditions, and maintenance obligations.
Condition report Although not mandatory, a detailed condition report at move-in and move-out is highly recommended to avoid disputes between tenant and landlord at the end of the lease. This report describes the condition of the housing and its equipment upon arrival, and is compared with the condition at departure to assess potential damages.
Technical diagnostics file The lessor must provide a technical diagnostics file (DDT) including documents such as the energy performance diagnosis (DPE), lead exposure risk report (if applicable), and natural, mining, and technological risk diagnostics. These diagnostics ensure that the housing complies with safety and health standards.
Excerpt from the co-ownership regulations If the property is part of a co-ownership, the lessor must give the tenant an excerpt from the co-ownership regulations. This excerpt must specify rules regarding the use of common areas and the applicable communal charges.
Inventory of furniture Since the mobility lease concerns only furnished rentals, a detailed inventory of furniture must be annexed to the contract. This document lists all furniture and equipment provided in the property to verify it is properly equipped according to legal standards for furnished housing.

Summary of documents

Required document Details
Proof of eligibility Employment contract, internship agreement, or training registration.
Information notice Rights and duties of tenants and landlords.
Condition report Condition reports at move-in and move-out to prevent disputes, recommended but not mandatory.
Technical diagnostics file DPE, lead exposure risk report, natural and technological risk diagnostics.
Excerpt from the co-ownership regulations if applicable, especially regarding communal charges and co-ownership rules.
Inventory of furniture Complete list of furniture and equipment provided in the furnished property.

Sample letter

[Tenant’s Name]
[Address of tenant]
[Postal code, City]
[Phone]
[Email]

[Landlord’s Name]
[Landlord’s address]
[Postal code, City]

Place, on [Date]

Subject: Proof of eligibility for signing a mobility lease

Dear Sir or Madam,

I, the undersigned, [Tenant’s Name], inform you of my intention to conclude a mobility lease for renting your property located at [Property Address].

In accordance with current legislation and the specific criteria of the mobility lease, I am attaching to this letter the documents proving my eligibility for this type of lease, namely:

  • [Employment contract for short-term mission / Internship agreement / Professional training certificate / Enrollment in higher education]

I would appreciate it if you could consider these documents to finalize the drafting of the mobility lease agreement.

I remain at your disposal for any additional information or to arrange a meeting to sign the contract.

Awaiting your response, please accept, Madam, Sir, the expression of my best regards.

[Tenant’s Name]
[Signature]

Download the template in PDF format

Conclusion

The mobility lease is a practical option for landlords wanting to rent out their property for a short period while enjoying great flexibility. It is also advantageous for tenants on professional mobility or in training, with simplified conditions tailored to their needs.

For further information