Winter evictions ban from Nov 1

THE ANNUAL ban on winter evictions, the trêve hivernale, comes into force this weekend.

It starts on November 1 and finishes on March 31, during which time tenants cannot be evicted from their premises.

The measure does not apply to squatters - people who have forced their way into a property illegally.

It also does not apply if the building is deemed dangerous (subject to an arrêté de péril) or if suitable new lodgings have been found.

Since 2013 gas and energy companies have also been banned from cutting off supplies to homes for non-payment of bills, although the debts are not written off and power rates can be limited.

Every year in France, between 110,00 and 115,000 eviction proceedings begin when the trêve (truce) ends.

A landlord can begin eviction proceedings during the trève but actual removal cannot take place until the end of March.

This process must pass through your local tribunal d’instance.

In some cases landlords have to seek to enforce this by the police – which may be refused if the prefect believes it will disturb the peace.

In the latter case, after a two-month period, the landlord is entitled to compensation from the state for any losses incurred.

Photo:Flickr/Osvaldo Gago