The winter truce, history and implications

The housing ministry is very clear about its position regarding the winter truce: it is one of Abbé Pierre's legacies. Everyone still remembers his sorrowful appeal on 1 February 1954. A true symbol!

November 24, 2016 · Updated March 26, 2020

The housing ministry is very clear about its position regarding the winter truce: it is one of Abbé Pierre’s legacies. Everyone still remembers his sorrowful appeal on 1 February 1954. A true symbol! But what does this truce actually involve and what are the implications for landlords and tenants? That is what we will cover in this article, but first let us begin with a brief history.

History of the winter truce

Following the famous appeal, for which we do not have the original recording, it took almost 3 years before the winter truce law was passed in December 1956. This prohibited any rental eviction between the dates of 1 December and 15 March of the following year.

In 2008, therefore very recently, this rental truce also became an energy truce, notably making it impossible to cut off electricity and heating during the same period.

Finally, the ALUR law of 2014 extended the winter truce; now it ends on 31 March, lasting a total of 5 months.

Implications of the winter truce

For tenants, it is a respite of course; for the landlord, it may be an additional worry, but above all it is a legal obligation. Indeed, they cannot proceed with any eviction before 1 April. They must also obtain a “notice to quit” from a bailiff. The owner cannot under any circumstances resolve the dispute with their tenants on their own initiative. They face up to 3 years in prison as well as a heavy fine if they decide to carry out the act. It is simply a violation of domestic premises!

Over the years, the winter rental truce has retained just as much significance. Indeed, in 2015, more than 67,000 families had received orders to quit their premises. Nearly a quarter of them were evicted by the police last year, a very sad record.