Rent review and the IRL in France: calculation and deadline

The conditions for a review

The review is not automatic. It requires (service-public.gouv.fr, checked on 12 July 2026):

• a review clause written into the lease;
• an increase capped by the change in the IRL over one year;
• a request from the landlord within 1 year;
• a home that is not rated F or G.

The rule applies to unfurnished lettings (art. 17-1) as well as furnished ones (art. 25-9). Under a bail mobilité (short-term mobility lease), the rent cannot be reviewed during the lease (art. 25-16). Without a clause, the rent stays fixed until the lease is renewed: see the guide on the bail de location (residential lease).

The calculation

The IRL is published by Insee every quarter; it corresponds to the average, over the last twelve months, of the change in consumer prices excluding tobacco and rents (art. 17-1). Since it changes with each publication, the right index is always that of the reference quarter set in the lease, not the latest one published.

New rent = current rent × IRL of the reference quarter of the current year ÷ IRL of the same quarter of the previous year. The result is rounded to the nearest cent (service-public.gouv.fr).

The reference quarter is the one set in the lease; failing that, it is the latest IRL published on the date the lease was signed (service-public.gouv.fr).

Source: Insee, series 001515333. For the 2nd quarter of 2026, the IRL stands at 146.22 in Corsica and 146.94 in the overseas départements, up 1.15% over one year (service-public.gouv.fr). The IRL for the 3rd quarter of 2026 had not yet been published as of 12 October 2026.

Official example: lease signed on 20 July 2025 at €600, reference quarter the 2nd. Review on 20 July 2026: 600 × 148.37 ÷ 146.68 = €606.91 (service-public.gouv.fr).

Another example, calculated with Insee values: a lease whose reference quarter is the 1st, rent of €800. Review in 2026: 800 × 146.60 ÷ 145.47 = €806.21, i.e. an increase of €6.21 a month.

The IRL applies to the rent excluding charges; charges follow their own annual adjustment: see charges locatives récupérables (recoverable service charges).

The date and the one-year deadline

The review takes effect on the date stated in the lease: “this may be the annual end date of the lease or another agreed date” (service-public.gouv.fr). The landlord has 1 year from that date to request it; after that, the year’s review is lost (art. 17-1). Article 7-1 of the Act confirms that the landlord’s action for a rent review becomes time-barred one year after the review date agreed in the lease.

No retroactivity

If the landlord requests the review within the year, it takes effect on the date of the request, not on the anniversary date (art. 17-1; service-public.gouv.fr). The landlord therefore cannot claim back-payment for the months between the review date and the request.

Example: review date 1 March, request sent on 15 June. The new rent applies from 15 June; rents from March to mid-June remain at the old amount.

Homes rated F or G: rent frozen

Since 24 August 2022 in mainland France, the rent review and increase provided for in article 17-1 cannot be applied to homes in class F or G, for leases signed, renewed or tacitly renewed since that date. In the overseas territories, the rule has applied since 1 July 2024 (art. 17-1, III; service-public.gouv.fr). See the guide DPE et location (energy rating and letting).

Which professional to consult

An agent immobilier (estate agent) handling property management keeps track of review dates, applies the right quarter and sends the request within the one-year deadline. If the lease was drawn up by a notaire (notary), the notary can confirm the review clause and the reference quarter set out in the deed.