What is the solidarity rent reduction (RLS)?
The solidarity rent reduction (RLS) is a housing assistance system in addition to any APL (personalized housing assistance). Decided by the public authorities in 2018, it concerns the poorest families and therefore helps the households in greatest difficulty. This RLS, solidarity rent reduction, consists of a reduction in rent whose level varies according to different criteria, namely the composition of the household concerned, its income and the geographical area of residence.
What are the conditions for benefiting from the solidarity rent reduction?
Different conditions are required in order to benefit from the solidarity rent reduction.
First of all, you must be a tenant of approved social housing such as HLM (low-rent housing) or managed by a mixed economy company which gives you the right to personalized housing assistance (APL). The second criterion is that of income with the establishment of ceilings. Finally, the number of people living in the household is also an element to take into account.
Good to know: you can benefit from the RLS (solidarity rent reduction) without receiving the APL (personalized housing assistance). In addition, it should be noted that so-called “hostel housing” and housing located in overseas departments and communities are not eligible for the system.
How is the solidarity rent reduction applied?
The solidarity rent reduction is processed automatically in advance either by the CAF or by the lessor. This means that:
- When the tenant is a beneficiary of the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) or MSA (agricultural social mutuality), the amounts of the APL and the RLS are calculated automatically. They are transmitted to the lessor. The RLS is therefore managed directly between CAF and the lessor. On the due date notice and/or rent receipt, the lessor indicates the amount of the RLS and the amount of the APL on the tenant’s rent.
- When the tenant is not a CAF or MSA beneficiary, the lessor must himself calculate the amount of the solidarity rent reduction based on the situation of the rental household (number of occupants), its income and the geographical location of the accommodation (commune of residence).
How is the amount of the RLS calculated?
The amount of the Solidarity Rent Reduction is calculated according to a scale provided by decree of May 21, 2025 relating to the revaluation of the resource ceilings and the applicable solidarity rent reduction amounts (which modifies the decree of February 27, 2018 on the same subject).
This decree takes into account the number of people living in the accommodation and the zone in which it is located (zone 1, 2 or 3).
The calculation takes into account multiple family situations, ranging from the single beneficiary through the couple without dependents to large families (household of six people or more).
The calculation is also done according to different resource ceilings combining those of the maximum monthly resources with other legal ceilings. These ceilings are revalued each year and indexed to an index.
A simulator exists here to determine the zone on which the dwelling depends (zoning identical to that used to calculate housing aid). We can also refer directly to the list established by the decree of March 17, 1978 relating to the classification of municipalities by geographical areas.
Example of calculation: in 2025, for a so-called isolated beneficiary, the amount of the solidarity rent reduction fluctuated between 39.69 euros and 23.61 euros depending on their area of residence.
Good to know: the amount of the Solidarity Rent Reduction has seen a recent reduction implemented by the aforementioned decree of May 21, 2025, applicable since June 1, 2025.
Can APL and RLS be combined?
Yes. It is perfectly possible to combine APL – personalized housing assistance and RLS, solidarity rent reduction. But be careful, when the household benefits from RLS, the amount of personalized housing assistance will be reduced (article D. 823-16 of the Construction and Housing Code).
Thus, the Solidarity Rent Reduction is necessarily accompanied by a reduction in the amount of the APL for eligible tenants. This reduction in the amount of the APL is linked to the RLS, so as not to harm the beneficiary.
Good to know: The amount of the maximum monthly ceilings/resources for the RLS is set each year by decree (article L.442-2-1 of the Construction and Housing Code). Pending the elements of the 2026 finance law, the amounts applied are those set last year for 2025.
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