Keys and locks are a surprisingly common source of friction between tenants and landlords in France, usually because nobody discussed them until something went wrong. Knowing the basic principles before you move in — or before you reach for a locksmith — saves money and awkward conversations. As always, your signed lease (bail) and French rental law together have the final word; treat this as orientation, not legal advice.
The landlord must provide a home you can actually secure
A French landlord is obliged to hand over a dwelling that is decent and habitable, and a working lock on the entrance door is part of that. If a lock is worn out or fails through normal ageing rather than misuse, repairing or replacing it generally falls to the landlord, as it concerns the fabric of the property. If you move in and the lock is faulty from day one, that is a landlord matter — raise it in writing straight away.
Everyday problems you caused tend to be yours
The flip side is that damage or lockouts arising from your own use usually sit with you as the tenant. Lock yourself out with the keys inside, snap a key through rough handling, or lose your only set, and the cost of getting back in and cutting new keys is normally the tenant’s to bear. This is exactly the situation where the overcharge scam bites, so it is worth reading our guide on avoiding it before you call anyone in a hurry.
Can you change the locks yourself?
Tenants often want to change the locks on moving in — a reasonable instinct, since you cannot know how many keys the previous occupants, cleaners or agencies still hold. You are generally entitled to do so for your own security during the tenancy, but two conditions matter. First, it is courteous and often expected to inform the landlord. Second, and importantly, when you leave you must be able to return the property in its original state — which usually means keeping the original lock and keys and being ready to refit or hand them back at the end. Changing a lock and discarding the original can cause problems when you move out.
Can the landlord hold a key?
This one surprises newcomers. Even though the landlord owns the property, they do not have the right to enter your rented home as they please or to let themselves in with a retained key without your agreement. Your right to peaceful enjoyment of the home is protected. A landlord keeping a spare "just in case" is common, but using it to enter without your consent is not acceptable. If that is a concern, it is one of the legitimate reasons a tenant changes a lock.
When keys are lost or stolen
If your keys are stolen — especially with anything identifying your address — treat it as a security matter. Report the theft to the police, tell your landlord, and consider changing the lock so the missing keys are useless. Your home insurance may contribute in a theft scenario, which our insurance guide explains; a simple loss with no theft is less likely to be covered, and more likely to be your cost. Either way, document what you spend.
At the end of the tenancy
Return every key you were given — full sets, for every lock, plus any building or mailbox keys. Missing keys can legitimately be deducted from your deposit (dépôt de garantie), and if you changed a lock during the tenancy, be prepared to restore the original or agree the change with the landlord in writing. The inventory (état des lieux) at the start and end is where key handovers should be recorded — check that it is.
Practical checklist
- Count and note every key at move-in, and record it on the état des lieux.
- Report any faulty lock to the landlord in writing immediately.
- Tell your landlord before changing a lock, and keep the original hardware.
- Report stolen keys to the police and keep the invoice for any lock change.
- Return all keys at the end to protect your deposit.
Handle keys as the small legal matter they actually are — documented, communicated, and returned — and most landlord disputes over locks simply never arise.