Hi
You must give at least 3 months notice and if that means you lose a few weeks as you go earlier then that is how it is I;m afraid. The landlord will seek a new renter from that date so you need to be prepared to give a firm date. The caution will be returned less any damage at the very end of the contract, i.e. after the date you give as your leaving date when the full inspection has been carried out.
Panda
Normally the caution or deposit is returned two months after the tenant leaves. This represents the maximum time framed afforded to the owner.
ams
Normally what happens is that you give your three months notice by recorded mail. Once that has been done, then normally 9 months of your guarantee will be unlocked. assuming that you had to pay the normal caution on top of that, then it will be returned to you two months after the lease has ended. You will be required to complete Etat des Lieux, which is essentially a detailed examination of the premises, all damages will be noted and the cost deducted from your deposit. you will be asked to sign the état des lieux and be given a copy. You should go to the local water and EDF branch with the counter readings and counter numbers, and ensure that no additional amounts are charged in your name. The owner will need your new address for sending on the balance of your deposit and will usually give the information to the tax office for the tax habitation.
I paid twelve months rent as well as a deposit of three months rent
Pretty much standard policy, in fact french regulations. Normally when a tenant leaves it is necessary to repair damages. Quotes have to be obtained and then work carried out. We had a tenant leave at the end of February, the plumber finished yesterday and the painter and placo man will commence next week. On the other hand we also had a tenant leave and after checking the premises we gave back the deposit immediately.
Regarding the bank security for 12 months, that essentially is just another form of guarantee that was demanded and accepted by you. We have obtained such a guarantee from a tenant in the past as the income declared by the tenant was not sufficient to meet the french standards, however we were informed that the bank considered her as a quality tenant and were prepared to offer such a guarantee to us.
You say you paid over a 3 months deposit, that i find a little strange. at present the deposit is one month and before that two months, that would appear on the surface to need some form of explanation.
It has been our experience in the past that the regulations are not always followed in respect of non french tenants. in our own case, we were asked for 4 months deposit and paid it, and also had to wait 2 months to get our deposit back after the lease terminated, even though the agent stated that we returned the house in a better condition to them.
If your agent is bonded and reputable, then I feel that you will have no problems.
Have you completed the état des lieux and if so was their any problems that needed attention. ?
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