A seasonal rental requires a written seasonal rental agreement, signed in two copies. It sets the term, the price, the condition of the property and the cancellation terms. Some clauses are mandatory, others strongly recommended.
Is a seasonal rental agreement mandatory?
Yes. Booking a furnished tourist accommodation must be covered by a written agreement. This is set out in article L324-2 du code du tourisme. The agreement is signed in two copies. You keep one, the guest keeps the other.
Without an agreement, you are vulnerable in the event of a dispute. The document serves as proof of the price, the term and the condition of the property.
The mandatory clauses of the agreement
The agreement must contain a core set of precise information. Here are the clauses not to forget.
- Identities and contact details of the host and the guest.
- Address of the accommodation and description of the premises, with the inventory of furniture.
- Term and dates of arrival and departure.
- Price and payment terms, including the deposit or down payment and the balance.
- Charges not included, the security deposit and the estimated tourist tax.
- Cancellation terms, maximum number of occupants and whether pets are allowed.
You may also require the guest to provide proof of insurance. To choose the right cover, see our article on seasonal rental insurance.
The descriptive statement and inventory of fixtures to attach
Before signing, provide a descriptive statement to any guest who requests it. This document describes the address, the rooms, the furniture and the equipment. Attach a precise inventory to it.
On arrival and departure, a joint inventory of fixtures protects both parties. Without a checkout inventory, the guest may be held liable for damage occurring after their departure.
To carry it out properly, see our guide on the inventory of fixtures in seasonal rentals.
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Deposit or down payment: the clause that changes everything
The nature of the advance paid changes your rights in the event of cancellation. Choose it knowingly.
| Situation | Deposit (arrhes) | Down payment (acompte) |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | Not final | Final for both parties |
| The guest cancels | They lose the deposit | They may have to pay the full amount |
| You cancel | You return double | You refund and compensate |
| Agreement is silent | It is a deposit (arrhes) by default | Must be expressly stipulated |
In the event of force majeure, these rules do not apply. The guest then recovers the amounts paid.
Drafting and tracking these clauses takes time. It is also a service a concierge handles on your behalf.
The security deposit in the agreement
The security deposit is not mandatory, but strongly recommended. Its amount is not regulated. It should not exceed the price of the stay. State in the agreement the amount, the method and the timeframe for its return. You are entitled to cash the deposit cheque.
To learn everything about how it works, read our article on the Airbnb security deposit.
Paper agreement or electronic signature?
The electronic signature has the same legal value as a handwritten signature. Article 1367 du code civil recognises it, under conditions. Its reliability is presumed when three conditions are met:
- The identity of the signatory is guaranteed.
- The link between the signature and the document is established.
- The integrity of the document is guaranteed.
A reliable online signature tool meets these conditions. You sign remotely, without printing, with the same legal force.
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Seasonal agreement or mobility lease: do not confuse them
These are two different contracts. The seasonal agreement covers a short tourist stay. The mobility lease (bail mobilité) houses a tenant on the move who makes it their temporary residence.
| Criterion | Seasonal rental agreement | Bail mobilité |
|---|---|---|
| Term | 90 days maximum per guest | 1 to 10 months |
| Use | Holidays, tourism | Temporary residence of the tenant |
| Security deposit | Allowed | Prohibited |
This lease follows precise rules. Discover them in our guide on the mobility lease.
Seasonal rental agreement template to download
To start from a solid base, use a ready-to-fill template. It includes all the mandatory clauses:
- Identities of the parties and address of the accommodation.
- Term, dates, price and payment terms.
- Deposit or down payment, security deposit and tourist tax.
- Cancellation terms and required insurance.
Download it in one click, then complete it with your information.
Download the agreement template (PDF)
Also remember to attach a clear Airbnb house rules document as an annex to the agreement.
Always set out your cancellation terms in the agreement, in black and white. If they are left unstated, the legal rules apply, not yours. A clear clause avoids half of all booking disputes.
Key takeaways
A good seasonal rental agreement protects your income and your peace of mind. It sets the price, the term, the condition of the property and the cancellation terms. The mandatory clauses are non-negotiable. The rest is tailored to your property.
Do you want to delegate the listing and management of your property on the CĂ´te d'Azur? Contact the Airbnb concierge service in Nice, with no commitment.
Frequently asked questions
- 1.Location de vacances entre particuliers (meublé de tourisme) — Service-Public, October 2024. service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2045
- 2.Location saisonnière : les règles à connaître — DGCCRF / economie.gouv.fr, 2026. economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/les-fiches-pratiques/location-saisonniere-les-regles-connaitre
- 3.Code du tourisme, articles L324-1 à L324-2-1 — Légifrance. legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/id/LEGISCTA000006158462/
- 4.Code civil, article 1367 (electronic signature) — Légifrance. legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000032042456
- 5.Les meublés de tourisme — entreprises.gouv.fr, 2026. entreprises.gouv.fr/espace-entreprises/s-informer-sur-la-reglementation/les-meubles-de-tourisme
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