Rent reference index (IRL): definition, calculation and value

The rent reference index (IRL) serves as a basis to reassess the rent for rentals each year. It applies to both empty and furnished rentals. This index, published every quarter by INSEE, aims to protect tenants from excessive rent increases. Definition, value, calculation … Focus on IRL in 2025.

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What does IRL mean?

The IRL is the reference index of rents, an index published each quarter by INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) which serves as a reference for the revision of rents in the rental contracts of uncommon accommodation .

What is the reference index for INSEE rents?

IRL: definition

The IRL is therefore an index that allows you to reassess the cost of rent from an empty or furnished accommodation with a housing lease. This index seems every quarter. It is published by INSEE. It corresponds to the average of the evolution of consumer prices (excluding tobacco and rents) over the last twelve months.

An index that supervises the increase in rents

The rent reference index frames the increase in rents. Thus, he protects tenants from an unreasonable rent increase. The amount of the rent evolves at the same time as their purchasing power. At the same time, the owners have the guarantee of being able to increase the rent according to the index.

Housing and rentals concerned by IRL

The IRL serves as a compulsory basis for housing leases subject to law n ° 89-462 of July 6, 1989. The parties to a lease contract other can decide to use this index as a reference value (if no other index is not imposed by law, depending on the lease concluded).

Since their duration is less than one year, the furnished rentals that fall within the framework of a student lease or a mobility lease are not governed by the IRL. As for commercial leases, they are indexed to the quarterly commercial rent index.

When does the owner have the right to increase the rent?

Annual housing review request

As part of the rentals granted as a main residence, the increase in rent can be made once a year (article 17-1 of law n ° 89-462 of July 6, 1989) and at the request of the lessor (owner) . The mention of the application of the IRL and the current index at the time of signing the lease must appear in the contract.

A revision neither automatic nor retroactive

The annual review request is not automatically made. It only intervenes at the request of the lessor within one year from the date provided for by 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, in a retroactive manner.

A duty to inform the lessor

The owner is required to inform the tenant of the increase in rent by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt or by act of bailiff. The increase comes into force as soon as the request is revised.

IRL fixes the rent increase in rent

The revision by the reference index of rents is not an obligation for the lessor, who can give it up (especially in the event of a negative index). On the other hand, it sets the maximum applicable increase ceiling during rental and the renewal of the lease (except in exceptional cases, such as that of the manifestly undervalued rent).

How to calculate the increase in rent according to the IRL?

Check the date provided by the rental contract

It is necessary to check the date provided by the lease contract for the revision of the index. Usually, this intervenes on the anniversary date of signing the contract (in the absence of precision by the contract).

The contract also mentions the reference index of the rents which will be applicable (failing this, we refer to that in force at the time of signing the contract).

Consult the reference index for the quarter of the current year

Second, you must obtain the reference index for the quarter and the current year: they can be viewed directly on the INSEE or Anil website (National Agency for Information of Tenants).

Calculation formula

Once these elements have been obtained, the amount of the increase in rent is obtained by the following calculation formula: rent excluding charges × (IRL applicable to the date of revision/IRL applicable in the same quarter of the previous year or IRL NL -1) = new revised rent.

Anil simulator to calculate the revision of its rent

The anil makes available to tenants and owners an online simulator to calculate the estimated amount of the rent revision. Just indicate the reference quarter of the rent reference index provided for in the lease and the current amount of rent excluding charges.

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What is IRL at the moment (February 2025)?

An index calculated each quarter by INSEE

Each quarter, INSEE publishes the last value of the rent reference index (IRL). This coefficient fixes the maximum annual increases in rents that landlord owners may require, when the lease contains an annual revision clause.

If the lease does not specify the index to be taken into account, it is the last published on the date of signature of the contract which applies.

Table of the evolution of the IRL from 2020 to 2025

The latest rent reference index (IRL) was published by INSEE on January 16, 2025. It is the IRL of the fourth quarter 2024. In mainland France, it was 144.64. It is up (+ 1.82 %) compared to the IRL of the fourth quarter 2023.

Next publication of the IRL: T1 2025

The rent reference index (IRL) is published quarterly by INSEE. For the first quarter of 2025, the IRL should be published around April 15, 2025.

What are the specifics 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 particularities and social.

IRL in Corsica

The IRL in Corsica follows the same calculation rules as that of the metropolis. However, rent adjustments can be influenced by local criteria, such as:

• Rent often higher in certain tourist areas or due to the specificity of the local real estate market, which can make the revision of rents a little more sensitive to economic fluctuations;
• Specific devices, which may exist in certain municipalities to limit the increase in rents.

IRL in the overseas departments and regions (DOM-ROM)

Although IRL is calculated on the basis of the same principle, each DOM-ROM has its own rent revision index, which takes into account the economic particularities of each region. In addition, due to higher life costs, the index can record a different development compared to the metropolis.

For example, in certain overseas departments, the revision can be adjusted to better reflect local economic conditions, such as the increase in prices of basic necessities.

Particularities of rents overseas

Certain overseas territories may benefit from specific regulations to limit rent increases, in order to avoid excessive inflation situations on the rental market. In Guadeloupe, Reunion and Guyana, systems have been put in place to supervise the rents, higher due to the restricted real estate market or the scarcity of goods.