Formal notice to pay: free template
Unpaid rent? Send your tenant a formal notice to pay by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt. Ready-to-complete template with the useful statements, no sign-up.
The formal notice: first step against unpaid rent
The formal notice to pay is the letter by which the landlord officially demands that the tenant settle the unpaid rent and charges within a deadline it sets. It marks the starting point for late-payment interest and evidences the tenant's default (article 1344 of the French Civil Code).
Sent by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt, it must state the identity of the parties, the lease reference, an itemised statement of the sums due, the payment deadline and a reminder of the termination clause and possible next steps (order to pay, lease termination).
This generator produces a ready-to-send letter reproducing these statements. The information entered is neither stored nor shared. Keep the proof of posting and the acknowledgement of receipt: they will be requested in any proceedings or claim to your GLI insurer.
After the notice: order to pay and GLI
If the tenant does not respond, the next step is the order to pay served by a judicial commissioner (formerly a bailiff), which starts the deadline before the termination clause takes effect and the matter goes to court. The amicable formal notice nevertheless remains essential beforehand.
If you are covered by rent-arrears insurance (GLI), the formal notice is generally required to file the claim. Check the terms of your policy and observe the reporting deadlines to be compensated.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send a formal notice to pay?
Send it to the tenant by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt. State the amount due, an itemised statement, a payment deadline (often 8 to 15 days) and a reminder of the possible next steps (order to pay, termination clause). Keep the proof of posting.
How long should I give the tenant?
The law sets no precise deadline for an amicable formal notice. In practice, a reasonable period of 8 to 15 days is advisable. If there is no settlement after that, you can start the order-to-pay stage through a judicial commissioner.
Is a formal notice mandatory before acting?
It is not always a legal obligation, but it is strongly recommended and often required by rent-arrears insurance policies. It records the tenant's default, starts late-payment interest and precedes the order to pay.
What is the difference between a formal notice and an order to pay?
The formal notice is an amicable letter sent by the landlord. The order to pay is an official act served by a judicial commissioner that triggers the legal deadlines before lease termination and court proceedings. The formal notice comes first.
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