Home insurance in France: who must insure, and for what

Who must insure: the table

“No obligation” does not mean “no risk”: without insurance, you compensate any damage caused to third parties yourself.

The tenant: article 7 g of the 1989 Law

Article 7 of the Law of 6 July 1989 (version in force since 15 June 2025) requires the tenant to insure against the risks for which they are liable as a tenant. In concrete terms, the ANIL states that this insurance covers damage caused to the rented home for the most common risks, such as fire or water damage.

Proof. The tenant provides proof when the keys are handed over, then every year at the landlord’s request, by handing over a certificate from the insurer or its representative.

The termination clause. If the lease provides for automatic termination for lack of insurance, this clause takes effect only one month after a formal demand (commandement) that has gone unheeded. That demand must reproduce the text of the law, or it is void.

Insurance taken out by the landlord. In the absence of a certificate, and one month after a formal notice that has gone unheeded, the landlord can take out insurance on the tenant’s behalf. The rules:

• the formal notice must announce this intention; it amounts to a waiver of the termination clause for lack of insurance;
• the cover is limited to tenant’s liability;
• the annual premium, possibly increased within a limit set by decree, is recovered in twelfths with each rent payment, shown on the rent demand and the rent receipt;
• a copy of the policy is given to the tenant when it is taken out and on each renewal;
• as soon as the tenant provides their own certificate, or if they leave, the landlord cancels the policy within the shortest period allowed by law; the premium due during that period remains recoverable.

The co-owner: article 9-1 of the 1965 Law

Since Law no. 2014-366 of 24 March 2014, article 9-1 of the Law of 10 July 1965 provides that each co-owner must insure against the third-party liability risks for which they are liable, whether they occupy their unit or not. The syndicat des copropriétaires has the same obligation.

The ANIL distinguishes the two levels:

• the syndicat insures against claims caused by the common parts, for example a pipe leaking in a corridor;
• each co-owner insures against damage originating from their private parts, for example a washing machine that floods the neighbour below or damages the common parts.

The obligation concerns third-party liability, not the protection of your own belongings: insuring your furniture remains a choice.

The non-occupying owner (PNO)

The ANIL describes propriétaire non occupant (non-occupying owner, or PNO) insurance as home insurance including third-party liability cover, which protects the landlord if a tenant or a third party suffers property damage or personal injury in the home. It can also cover the building against fire, flood or storm.

• In a copropriété, third-party liability for the non-occupying co-owner is compulsory (art. 9-1).
• Outside a copropriété, the landlord has no obligation to insure, but must ensure that their tenant is insured (ANIL).

Which professional to consult

The agent immobilier (estate agent) handling the letting management asks for the certificate when the keys are handed over and every year, and can organise the formal notice. The notaire (notary) reminds the buyer of a unit in a copropriété of their obligation to take out third-party liability insurance. If you are buying with a loan, the courtier en crédit (mortgage broker) can help you compare the conditions set by the banks.