In summary
| 📄 Section | Content Summary |
|---|---|
| 🏠 Introduction to the mobility lease | Introduced by the ELAN law in 2018, designed for tenants needing temporary furnished housing for professional or student mobility. |
| 🤔 What is a mobility lease? | A short-term furnished rental contract, non-renewable and without a security deposit, specifically for those in temporary situations such as students and professionals on temporary assignments. |
| 🔍 Who can benefit from it? | Eligibility is strictly limited to those in temporary situations, requiring documents such as employment contracts or educational registration confirmations. |
| 🎓 Eligible profiles | Students, training professionals, temporary workers, and young people engaged 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 | Advantages include the absence of a security deposit, flexible rental terms, financial aids like the APL for tenants, and risk mitigation such as the Visale guarantee for landlords. |
| 📑 Required documents | Documents include proof of eligibility, property diagnostics, and possibly an inventory of furniture. |
| 📝 Sample letter | A letter template for tenants to prove their eligibility and request the 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 intended for tenants in situations of professional or student mobility.
What is a mobility lease?
The mobility lease is a furnished rental contract designed to meet the temporary housing needs. This type of lease was introduced by the ELAN law in 2018 as part of a reform aimed at facilitating mobility for workers and students in France. Unlike a traditional lease, the mobility lease is characterized by its short duration and flexibility. It is specifically designed for people on temporary travel, such as students, interns, or employees on professional assignments.
The mobility lease thus offers tenants the possibility of renting 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, 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 can require up to two months’ rent as a deposit, the mobility lease is specifically designed to lighten this financial burden, making housing more accessible 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 to enable the tenant to live there without needing to bring their own furniture. This criterion is fundamental, as it mainly addresses mobility persons who cannot transport furniture from one place to another.
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum duration | 1 month |
| Maximum duration | 10 months |
| Security deposit | None |
| Renewal | Impossible |
| Housing concerned | Furnished, with a minimum of equipment (kitchen, bedding, storage…) |
| Type of lease | Non-renewable, non-rolling |
Who can benefit from the mobility lease?
The mobility lease is specifically reserved for individuals who demonstrate 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 an employment contract, an internship agreement, or proof of enrollment in a course.
The categories of people eligible for the mobility lease are strictly regulated and include the following profiles:
- Higher education students: This lease is ideal for students enrolled in a university, a grande école, or any other higher education institution. Students undertaking short-term internships or participating in exchange programs for a few months are also eligible.
- People in professional training: Those pursuing qualifying training, often as part of professional development or reconversion, can also benefit from the mobility lease. It allows them to find accommodation near their training location for a flexible duration.
- Employees on temporary missions or undergoing professional relocation: Employees sent on temporary missions to another city, or needing to move for a few months due to a professional mutation, are typical profiles for this lease. The mobility lease offers them an ideal solution to find housing without committing to a long-term lease.
- Youths engaged in civic service: Young people participating in civic service, who undertake temporary actions of general interest, can also benefit from the mobility lease. These young volunteers can easily find accommodation without worrying about long-term commitments.
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 attestant in case of relocation, or a civic service agreement. The absence of these proofs can lead to requalification 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, registration confirmation |
| People in professional training | Training contract, internship agreement |
| Employees on temporary missions | Employer’s attestant, mission contract |
| Young people in civic service | Civic service agreement |
The advantages for tenants and landlords
The mobility lease offers many advantages for both tenants and landlords, providing flexibility and solutions tailored to temporary needs.
Advantages for tenants
- No security deposit: Unlike traditional leases, the mobility lease does not require any deposit. This is a major advantage for tenants, as it prevents them from having to pay a significant sum upfront at contract signing. It greatly reduces the cost of access to rental housing.
- Short and flexible duration: The mobility lease allows for rental periods from 1 to 10 months. Renters can commit for a duration that matches their temporary needs, such as an internship or professional mission. It also protects them from long-term commitments.
- Availability of APL: Tenants under the mobility lease can benefit from Personalized Housing Assistance (APL), provided the property is their primary residence. This is a significant financial advantage for students and low-income individuals, helping to ease their rental burden.
| Advantages for tenants | Details |
|---|---|
| No security deposit | No upfront payment required at lease signing |
| Short and flexible duration | Allows for temporary, non-renewable commitments |
| APL available | Tenants can benefit from financial aid |
Advantages for the landlord
- Management flexibility: The mobility lease is an excellent tool for landlords wishing 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 ease of recovery at the end of the lease.
- Possibility of stacking with other types of leases: Landlords can combine a mobility lease with other rental types. For example, they can rent a property under a mobility lease during the school year and switch to a seasonal rental during summer months. This flexibility helps optimize property profitability.
- Visale guarantee against unpaid rents: Thanks to the Visale guarantee, offered by Action Logement, landlords are protected against rent arrears. This free guarantee covers potential non-payment by tenants, reducing the landlord’s rental risk.
| Advantages for the landlord | Details |
|---|---|
| Management flexibility | Enables temporary leasing with easy property recovery |
| Possibility of stacking | Stacking with other lease types, such as seasonal rentals |
| Visale guarantee | Protection against rent arrears, offered by Action Logement |
What documents are needed for a mobility lease?
To comply with the law, the lease agreement for mobility must include several mandatory documents and pieces of information. These elements ensure that the lease respects legal requirements and protects both the landlord and the tenant. Here is a list of documents to provide when signing a mobility lease:
| Required document | Details |
|---|---|
| Proof of eligibility | The tenant must provide a document proving eligibility, such as an employment contract (for temporary mission, professional relocation) or proof of enrollment in an educational program (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 contract duration, termination conditions, and maintenance obligations. |
| Inventory of the premises | Although not mandatory, an entry and exit inventory is strongly recommended to avoid disputes between the tenant and the landlord at the end of the lease. This inventory describes in detail the condition of the housing and its equipment upon the tenant’s arrival and is compared to the condition upon departure to assess possible damages. |
| Technical diagnostics file | The landlord must provide a technical diagnostics file (DDT) including documents such as the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), lead exposure risk assessment (if applicable), and natural, mining, and technological risk diagnostics. These diagnostics ensure the housing complies with safety and health standards. |
| Excerpt from co-ownership regulations | If the property is part of a co-ownership, the landlord must provide the excerpt from co-ownership regulations. This excerpt should specify rules regarding the use of common areas and shared charges applicable to the property. |
| Furniture inventory | Since the mobility lease only concerns furnished apartments, a detailed furniture inventory must be annexed to the contract. This document lists all furniture and equipment provided in the property to verify its compliance with legal standards for furnished housing. |
Summary of required documents
| Required document | Details |
|---|---|
| Proof of eligibility | Employment contract, internship agreement, or enrollment in a course. |
| Information notice | Rights and duties of tenants and landlords. |
| Inventory of premises | Entry and exit inventories to prevent disputes, recommended but not mandatory. |
| Technical diagnostics file | Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), lead exposure risk assessment, natural and technological risk diagnostics. |
| Excerpt from co-ownership regulations | Applicable especially for shared charges and co-ownership rules. |
| Furniture inventory | Complete list of furniture and equipment provided in the furnished apartment. |
Sample letter
[Tenant’s Name]
[Tenant’s address]
[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/Madam,
I undersigned, [Tenant’s Name], inform you of my wish to conclude a mobility lease for the rental of 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 justifying my eligibility for this type of lease, namely:
- [Employment contract for a temporary mission / Internship agreement / Professional training attestation / Enrollment in higher education]
I would appreciate it if you could consider these elements to finalize the drafting of the mobility lease.
I remain at your disposal for any additional information or to arrange a meeting to sign the contract.
Looking forward to 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 wishing to rent their property for a short period while benefiting from great flexibility. It is also an advantage for tenants on professional mobility or in training, with simplified conditions tailored to their needs.
