Rental: only a few days left before the start of the winter break

The winter break, a period during which rental evictions are prohibited, will begin on November 1, in a particularly difficult context for the most precarious tenants.

Only a few days left before the winter break. Like every year, it will begin on November 1 and end on March 31, 2025. Consequently, from next month, tenants will no longer be able to be evicted from their accommodation. Established in 1954 following a call from Abbot Pierre, winter break aims to protect the most vulnerable tenants during the five coldest months of the year. Note that electricity and gas cuts are also prohibited during this period, even if energy suppliers are authorized to reduce the energy power of a home, except for tenants who benefit from the energy check.

This 2024 winter break comes in a particularly tense context for the most precarious tenants. As the country faces a serious housing crisis, marked in particular by a shortage of rental properties In large cities, the number of households evicted from their homes for unpaid rent has reached records in recent years. According to the Abbé Pierre Foundation, no less than 38,000 people, or 17,500 households, were forcibly evicted from their apartment or house in 2022. A figure which had never been so high in twenty years.

Exceptions in certain cases

If the winter break protects tenants from evictions, landlords do however have the possibility of initiating legal proceedings against the occupants of accommodation in the event of unpaid rent. Only the possible execution of the court decision will then be postponed until after March 31. Notice to owners who plan to take justice into their own hands, illegal eviction is an offense punishable by three years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros.

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Let us also point out that there are a certain number of exceptions for which the winter break does not apply. For example, tenants of a student residence cannot benefit from it. This winter break also does not apply to tenants who have been considered “bad faith» by the judge who ordered the expulsion, nor for a spouse, partner or partner expelled due to a protection order after violence against a child or spouse. If you have questions or concerns regarding rental eviction procedures, you can contact the eviction prevention telephone platform provided by the benefits and lawyers of the Abbé Pierre foundation.