Since the government programming act for social cohesion (French Act No. 2005-32 of 18 January  2005), the regulation is closer to the act of 6 July 1989, which is particular to unfurnished rentals leases.When the rented apartment is the lessee primary residence, the lease contract is subject to terms imposed by law.

The length of the lease depends on the nature of the rental. There are the three main cases of furnished rentals:

•  when the furnished rental is to be used as the primary residence of the lessee,
• when the furnished rental is not to be used as the primary residence of the lessee
• when the furnished rental is for a student.

Furnished rental to be used as the lessee primary residence

The lessee can require the lessor a written lease for a period of one year, tacitly renewable a second year.
The lessor must consent.

The lessee can give notice at any time upon one-month written notice by means of a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

The lessor can give notice upon a three-month notice prior to lease termination whenever one of the following conditions is met:

• his/her decision to recover possession of his/her property for personal use and occupancy,
• his/her decision to sell his/her property,
• a justified and serious motive such as the lessee's non-performance of any obligations under the lease.

Furnished apartment for temporary or corporate rental

When the furnished rental is not to be used as the lessee primary residence, the parties can freely agree on the term of the lease.

The lessor can give the lessee notice without justification at the end of the fixed term, provided always he or she respects the notice period also agreed by both parties.

Furnished rental asssigned to a student

The lessor must assign the furnished rental for a minimum period of nine months. The lease expires at the end of the nine-month period, with no possibility of tacit renewal.

When the period expires, if fixed for a minimum duration of nine months, contractual relations are  terminated without obligation for the lessor to inform the student that the lease will not be renewed. Though informing the student is not mandatory by law, to ensure good relationships between lessors and lessees, it would be advisable to send the student a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt at least one month before the end of the lease.

The student can give the lessor notice at any time by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, provided always that he gives notice at least one month before moving out.