Before you leave your lodgings, there are several formalities you need to take care of. Foremost, you cannot vacate your house overnight. If you wish to leave your lodgings before the end of the lease period, you must send the owner a notice three months before your departure by registered mail (Lettre Recommandée avec Avis de Réception). If you find a new renter to succeed you and the owner agrees, you can shorten your notice-of-leave.

The notice period can be shortened to one month:
   in case of transfer due to a job, loss of job,
   in case you obtained new employment or a first-time employment,
   if you are over sixty years-old or suffer from a health problem that requires you to move house,
   if you receive RMI (Revenu Minimum d'Insertion - Income Support).
Even if you leave the premises before the end of the notice period, you must pay the rent and expenditures for its entire duration, unless a new renter follows you with the agreement of the owner.

You must request from the telephone, gas and electricity companies that they terminate your subscription (also water in case you have a private connection). Ask the respective agencies.

In the presence of the owner, you must establish a new inventory (Etat des Lieux) at the time you return the keys. The owner is legally obliged to return your deposit within two months after your departure minus the expenses you must pay (check with your bank whether it will allow you to keep your account open until your deposit has been received). The owner must provide proof of expenditures. You can be held responsible for only some of the damages (holes in walls, broken plugs, etc). The owner cannot charge you for other repairs (damage due to aging or to normal use of the apartment). In case of doubt, ask ADIL agencies for help.

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