It is the most solvent and most regular segment of the Paris rental market — and the least known to private owners: letting to companies that house their staff. Legal framework, profiles, rents, durations — here is how to approach the corporate lease.
Why this segment exists
Paris is home to head offices, international institutions, consulting firms, industrial groups and a constant flow of professional mobility. These companies need to house staff on assignment, on transfer, on expatriation or in training, for periods ranging from a few months to several years. Hotels are prohibitively expensive over time, and a main-residence lease is ill-suited to occupants who come and go.
The legal framework
The law of 6 July 1989 protects the individual tenant who rents as a main residence. When the tenant is a legal entity — company, SCI, association, institution — the contract falls under general Civil Code law, articles 1709 to 1778. Two arrangements coexist:
| Arrangement | Tenant on the lease | Regime |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate lease | The company | Civil Code — term, rent and termination negotiated |
| Staff accommodation | The company, housing an employee | Civil Code, even if the employee lives there as their main home |
| Lease signed directly by the employee | The employee | 1989 law if it is a main residence |
Staff accommodation is the most legally robust arrangement: the company is the party bound by the lease, and providing the home to the employee is part of the employment relationship, not a residential lease.
The benefits for the owner
- Greater solvency: the party paying the rent is a company, not an individual. The risk of unpaid rent is assessed on its company accounts.
- Longer terms and frequent renewals, with less vacancy.
- A professional point of contact: HR, mobility or facilities departments, used to processes and deadlines.
- Careful upkeep: the occupants are executives on assignment, not tourists.
- A negotiated rent under the Civil Code, outside rent control, as long as the arrangement is valid.
What these companies expect
- A fully furnished home, ready to live in: quality bedding, a properly equipped kitchen, linen provided.
- A workspace and fast Wi-Fi — now a deal-breaker.
- Professional invoicing: proper invoices, VAT where applicable, payment by bank transfer.
- Responsiveness: a breakdown must be dealt with within 24 to 48 hours.
- A clear lease, reviewed by their legal department, with no one-sided clauses.
Points to watch
- Check the company: Kbis extract, financial health, identity of the signatory and their authority to sign.
- Name the occupant in the lease and govern any change of occupant with a dedicated clause.
- Prohibit paid subletting , unless agreed in writing.
- Plan the end: notice, check-out inventory, return of the security deposit, what happens to the furniture.
- Beware of leases signed directly by the employee: if the employee signs in their own name and makes it their main residence, you fall back under the 1989 law, rent control included.
How to access this market
Companies rarely use consumer platforms. They work with relocation agencies, international mobility departments or property managers with a portfolio large enough to guarantee availability. It is hard for an individual owner to access: this market runs on networks, approved-supplier listings and consistent service.
⚠️ An arrangement to have validated
The corporate lease and staff accommodation are general-law contracts, and their drafting has legal consequences. This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice: have your templates drawn up by a property lawyer.
Full Concierge places your property in the corporate segment
We work with relocation agencies and mobility departments for a portfolio of more than 150 apartments in Paris and the inner suburbs. Free estimate within 24 hours.
