What does IRL mean in France?
The IRL is the Rent Reference Index, an index published every quarter by INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) which serves as a reference for rent review in rental contracts for unfurnished accommodation.
What is the INSEE rent reference index?
Rent review index: definition
The IRL is therefore an index which allows us to reassess the cost of rent an empty or furnished accommodation with a residential lease. This index is published every quarter. It is published by INSEE. It corresponds to the average change in consumer prices (excluding tobacco and rents) over the last twelve months.
An index that governs the increase in rents
The rent reference index regulates the increase in rents. Thus, it protects tenants from an unreasonable rent increase. The amount of rent changes at the same time as their purchasing power. At the same time, owners have the guarantee of being able to increase the rent according to the index.
Housing and rentals subject to rent indexation
The IRL serves as mandatory basis for residential leases subject to Law No. 89-462 of July 6, 1989. The parties to another lease contract may decide to use this index as a reference value. Given that their duration is less than one year, furnished rentals which fall within the framework of a student lease or a mobility lease are not governed by the IRL.
When does the landlord have the right to increase the rent?
Request for annual rent increase
In the context of rentals granted as a main residence, the rent increase can be made a times a year (article 17-1 of law no. 89-462 of July 6, 1989) and at the request of the lessor (owner). Mention of the application of the IRL and the current index at the time of signing the lease must appear in the contract.
A review neither automatic nor retroactive
The annual review request is not made automatically. It only intervenesat the request of the lessor within one year from the date provided for in the rental contract. Since the entry into force of the ALUR law of March 24, 2014, the lessor cannot reassess the rent over several years, retroactively.
A duty of information on the part of the lessor
The owner is required to inform the tenant of the rent increase by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt or by bailiff’s deed. The increase comes into effect upon request for review.
The IRL sets the rent increase ceiling
Revision by the rent reference index is not an obligation for the lessorwho can waive it (particularly in the event of a negative index). On the other hand, it sets the maximum increase ceiling applicable during the rental and upon renewal of the lease (except in exceptional cases, such as manifestly undervalued rent).
How to calculate the rent increase based on the IRL?
Check the date provided for in the rental contract
It is advisable to carefully check the date provided for in the lease for the revision of the index. Usually, this occurs at the anniversary date of contract signing (in the absence of precision). The contract also mentions the rental reference index which will be applicable (failing this, we refer to that in force at the time of signature).
Consult the table of INSEE reference indices to find out which one is in force
Second, we must obtain the reference index for the current quarter and year : they can be consulted directly on the INSEE or ANIL (National Agency for Tenant Information) website. The rental contract must also specify the rent reference index to be used.
Calculation formula
Once these elements have been obtained, the amount of the rent increase is obtained by following calculation formula : Rent excluding charges × (IRL applicable on the revision date/IRL applicable to the same quarter of the previous year or IRL N-1) = New revised rent.
ANIL simulator to calculate the increase in your 2025 rent
ANIL provides tenants and owners with an online simulator to calculate the estimated amount of rent review. Simply indicate the reference quarter of the rent reference index provided for in the lease and the amount of the current rent excluding charges.
What is the current IRL index (November 2025)?
New IRL publication: Q3 2025
The latest rent reference index (IRL) was published by INSEE on October 17, 2025 and corresponds to the 3rd quarter of 2025. In mainland France, the IRL stands at 145.77an increase of +0.87% over one year. For the 1st quarter of 2025, the IRL was 145.47 (+1.40%), 142.67 for the communities governed by article 73 of the Constitution and 141.28 for Corsica.
Table of the evolution of the IRL from 2020 to 2025
The latest rent reference index (IRL) was published by INSEE on October 17, 2025. This is the IRL of third quarter 2025. In mainland France, the IRL stands at 145.77 and shows an increase of +0.87% over one year. The table below traces the evolution of this index from 2020 to 2025.
When is the IRL published?
Every quarterINSEE publishes the latest value of the IRL, which sets the maximum annual rent increases that landlords can require, when the lease contains an annual review clause. If the lease does not specify anything, the last one published at the time of signing the contract applies. The IRL for the second quarter of 2025 will be published on 11 July 2025.
What are the specificities of IRL in Corsica and Overseas?
The Rent Reference Index (IRL) is applied uniformly in mainland France, but there are certain specificities for Corsica and the overseas departments and regions (DOM-ROM), due to their economic and social particularities.
IRL in Corsica
The IRL in Corsica follows the same calculation rules as that of mainland France. However, rent adjustments can be influenced by local criteriasuch as:
- rents are often higher in certain tourist areas or due to the specificity of the local real estate market, which can make rent reviews a little more sensitive to economic fluctuations;
- specific measures, which may exist in certain municipalities to limit the increase in rents.
IRL in overseas departments and regions (DOM-ROM)
Although the IRL is calculated based on the same principle, each DOM-ROM has its own rent review indexwhich takes into account the economic particularities of each region. In addition, due to higher living costs, the index may show a different evolution compared to the mainland.
For example, in some overseas departments, the revision may be adjusted to better reflect local economic conditions, such as increasing prices of basic necessities.
Particularities of rents overseas
Certain overseas territories may benefit from specific regulations to limit rent increasesin order to avoid situations of excessive inflation on the rental market. In Guadeloupe, Reunion and Guyana, measures have been put in place to regulate rents, which are higher due to the restricted real estate market or the scarcity of properties.
What is the difference between the IRL and other indices (ICC, ILC, ILAT, etc.)?
ICC: the construction cost index
The ICC is used to readjust rents in commercial leases and construction contractsparticularly for the review of commercial rents or long-term leases linked to real estate projects. It reflects the evolution of the cost of construction by taking into account materials, labor, and other costs associated with construction.
ILC: the commercial rent index
The ILC is used to regulate the revision of rents for commercial leasesparticularly those of small businesses, artisans and liberal professions. Established by the law on modernization of the economy (LME) of August 4, 2008, the calculation is based on a weighted average of three components:
- 50% changes in consumer prices (excluding rent and tobacco);
- 25% the construction cost index (CCI);
- 25% of the retail turnover index.
ILAT: the rent index for tertiary activities
ILAT was established in order to regulate the revision of rents for professional leases and premises for non-commercial tertiary usesuch as offices, logistics spaces or premises occupied by liberal professions. Published quarterly, it is based on a weighted average of three components:
- The consumer price index (excluding rent and tobacco).
- Construction Cost Index (CCI)
- Gross domestic product (GDP) in value.
>> Our service – Save money by testing our home loan insurance comparator
