In a French flatshare (colocation), the lease and one clause decide who pays when a flatmate leaves.

Two setups: a bail unique signed by all flatmates, or individual leases — one contract each, your own room and rent.

On a joint lease, the landlord can add a clause de solidarité: each flatmate and their guarantor then owe the total rent and charges, and if one stops paying the others must cover it. Without it, each owes only their own share.

A leaver on a joint lease with that clause (and their guarantor) stays liable for up to 6 months after the notice ends; with a replacement on the lease during the notice, it stops when the notice ends. Without the clause, they pay until the notice ends.

Insurance is mandatory, at least fire, explosion and water damage, together or separately; show the certificate yearly; otherwise the landlord can move to end the lease or insure it at your cost.

Each flatmate applies individually for housing aid (APL, ALS or ALF) on their rent share.

Tip: write a pacte de colocation before the first fight.

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