Paris rent control, in short
Since July 2019, a Paris flat's rent excluding charges can't exceed a cap set for its neighbourhood: the reference rent maximum (loyer de référence majoré). It depends on the number of rooms, the construction period and whether the flat is furnished, and the prefecture publishes it in euros per square metre.
The calculation
Cap per m² × living area = maximum rent excluding charges. Charges and any rent supplement don't count in this base rent.
Who it covers
Unfurnished and furnished main residences, and mobility leases, signed or renewed since July 2019. As things stand, it applies to leases signed until 24 November 2026, the planned end of the experiment. Not covered: social housing, 1948-law housing, tourist lets and sublets.
If the rent is over the cap
First write to the landlord asking for the rent to be brought into line and the overpayment refunded. Without an agreement: the departmental conciliation commission, free and with no lawyer, then the court. You can also report it to the City of Paris, and the landlord risks a fine of up to €5,000 (€15,000 for a company).
The rent supplement
A landlord may go above the cap only for exceptional features, and never for a flat rated F or G on its energy certificate (DPE). A rent supplement can be contested within three months of signing the lease.
Frequently asked questions
Each arrondissement has four administrative neighbourhoods. If you don't know yours, pick the arrondissement: the check uses the highest cap of its neighbourhoods, and tells you when the answer depends on it.
Choose "I don't know": the highest cap of the four periods is used, so a rent over it is over whatever the year. The standard lease states the construction period, and the landlord can tell you.
No. The cap applies to the base rent, excluding charges and any rent supplement.
Yes, to unfurnished and furnished main residences alike, and to mobility leases.
For a rent supplement, three months after signing the lease. For a base rent over the cap, you can act during the lease, and even after moving out if the lease was signed less than three years ago.
Yes: the reference rents published by the DRIHL Île-de-France for the current period. The result is an indication, and if in doubt, the prefectural order prevails.