We want to give notice to the tenants in our house in France because we want to move in as soon as possible having sold our house in the UK. How do we do this?

You haven’t said whether you have an Agency managing your property rental in France. Normally you can only give notice 2 ½ years after the start of your 3 year contract to indicate that you will not be renewing the lease. In France, according to article L613-3 of the “Code de la construction et de l’habitation”, you are not allowed to evict the tenant between 1st November and 15th March.

However, there are exceptions to this winter break, the expulsion remains possible:

If you propose decent alternative accommodation to the tenant and his family,

or if the premises are the deemed unfit for occupation,

or if the people occupying the property entered illegally.

In case of unpaid rent and charges, after seeking an amicable settlement with the tenant, the landlord may request the termination of the lease authorizing the eviction of the tenant.

Please email me if you need more help or information.