Professional lease (bail professionnel)

The bail professionnel is reserved for premises used exclusively for a non-commercial professional activity. It is mainly used by regulated liberal professions (doctors, lawyers, architects...) or unregulated ones (consultants, trainers...). Any commercial, artisanal or industrial activity generally falls under the statute of commercial leases.

The minimum term is six years. At its expiry, the lease is tacitly renewed for an identical term, unless notice is given by one of the parties at least six months before the end date. Unlike the commercial lease, the tenant does not benefit from a statutory right to renewal or from an eviction indemnity.

Yes. The tenant may terminate the lease at any time, provided a six-month notice is given, notified by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or by bailiff's act. The landlord, however, may only give notice at the expiry of the lease.

In principle, the rental of professional premises is exempt from VAT. However, the landlord may opt to make the rent subject to VAT, which allows them to deduct VAT on works. This option must be exercised with the tax office and expressly mentioned in the lease.