Some landlords impose the disconnection of electricity before the inventory, even though no rule actually requires it. Subscription contracts often cover the period until the tenant’s actual departure, but real estate agencies sometimes handle conflicting instructions, leading to real confusion.
The reading of the electricity meter, carried out during the inventory, remains the only reliable basis for billing. A disconnection too early complicates this reading, muddles the consumption trail, and opens the door to disputes over responsibilities. Procedures with the energy supplier are not uniform: it all depends on the type of housing, the specifics of the contract, and even how the key handover takes place.
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The inventory and electricity: why this moment is crucial during a tenant change
A tenant change is not just a simple exchange of keys. The inventory, framed by the ALUR law, serves as the pivot between tenant and landlord. This document, created jointly, must follow an identical model at both entry and exit, include the signatures of both parties, and, a key element, the electricity meter reading precisely noted. Signed photos provide additional reassuring proof. The inventory is the shield against any subsequent disputes.
The meter reading is done at each transition: departure as well as arrival. As long as the lease is not over, the tenant pays for their consumption. On their side, the landlord is obliged to ensure a supply of electricity until the effective return of the property. With a Linky meter, the reading can be transmitted remotely. For a traditional meter, nothing replaces the on-site reading, done manually.
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So, disconnecting electricity before the inventory or not? The answer requires a minimum of clarity: disconnecting too early distorts the reading, complicates billing, and risks part of the security deposit being contested. Having the PDL delivery number or an old reading facilitates the transition between occupants. Without power, how can you check the outlets, lighting, or establish a complete energy performance diagnosis? Some landlords prefer to keep the electricity on to carry out some work or renovations between two rentals.
Here are the basic rules to keep in mind to avoid any missteps:
- The inventory must always include a meter reading, dated and signed by both parties.
- The electricity disconnection must never occur before this document is established.
- In case of disagreement, it is still possible to request a bailiff to confirm the state of the property and the meter in an indisputable manner.
To disconnect or keep the electricity active before the inventory? What the regulations say
A property must remain powered until the official departure of the tenant. A landlord cannot therefore disconnect the electricity before handing over the keys, except in the case of an ongoing procedure for unpaid rent. The tenant, for their part, pays the bill until the end of their lease, the date specified in the contract. The termination of the electricity contract is the tenant’s responsibility, to be done just before departure, once the meter reading has been taken during the exit inventory.
Cutting off power too early means losing an indisputable reading. It then becomes impossible to check the condition of the installations, outlets, lighting, or heating. The electricity meter reading, whether traditional or Linky, must appear on the report, in front of both landlord and tenant, in accordance with the ALUR law. If the power has been cut off before the arrival of the new tenant, they will have to bear the costs of reconnection, a cost that then falls on them.
To avoid any bitterness, keep these key points in mind:
- The tenant must inform their energy supplier of their departure and request termination on the exact date of exit.
- The landlord guarantees access to electricity until the end of the lease, without premature disconnection.
- The dated and signed meter reading constitutes formal proof of consumption and protects against potential conflicts.
The law is clear: any premature interruption of the electricity supply disrupts the handover and can lead to perfectly avoidable disputes.
Anticipating the steps: practical advice to avoid unpleasant surprises during the handover
Preparing each step of the tenant change ensures a smooth transition, without last-minute stress. The departing tenant has every interest in notifying their electricity supplier of their departure at least fifteen days in advance. This anticipation guarantees them the ability to set the termination date at the precise moment they hand over the keys. The electricity meter reading, whether manual or remote (Linky), must be done on the day of the inventory, in front of both parties, so that the consumption is indisputable.
The incoming tenant must, in turn, subscribe to an electricity supply contract in a timely manner as soon as their entry into the premises is confirmed. This helps avoid any disconnection and limits the often high costs of emergency reconnection in case of forgetfulness. The landlord can facilitate the process by providing the Point of Delivery (PDL) number or the name of the previous occupant.
Before the inventory, simply turn off all electrical devices, without cutting off the main power. The reading, supported by dated and signed photos, secures the file. The inventory model must remain the same at entry and exit, in accordance with the ALUR law. In case of disagreement, it is possible to call on a bailiff to ensure the procedure.
The energy performance diagnosis (DPE) cannot be carried out without power. Landlords, if any work is scheduled between two rentals, cover the consumption during this period. Careful management of the handover protects all parties, limits disputes, and ensures a peaceful rental.
Between meticulous reading and anticipation of steps, the key to a successful tenant change lies more in rigor than in hasty disconnection. In this relay game, the slightest mistake comes at a cost: it is therefore better to keep the light on until the end.