To protect themselves against unpaid rent, landlords in France can rely on three main types of rental guarantees: a personal guarantor, the Visale guarantee provided by Action Logement, and unpaid rent insurance (Garantie Loyers Impayés or GLI). Combining these guarantees is subject to strict legal rules. Visale is a free guarantee designed to replace a traditional guarantor, and landlords generally cannot require both simultaneously. Similarly, landlords who have taken out unpaid rent insurance cannot usually request a personal guarantor, except in certain cases involving students or apprentices. Combining GLI and Visale is also rarely accepted by insurers, as both schemes cover the same risk of unpaid rent. Choosing the most suitable protection depends on the tenant's profile. Visale is particularly useful for students, young professionals and applicants with non-standard employment situations, while GLI, which generally costs between 2% and 4% of annual rent, can provide broader protection, including property damage, legal proceedings and legal assistance. Carefully assessing tenant applications and selecting an appropriate rental guarantee are essential steps in protecting landlords against unpaid rent.
When renting out a property, one of the first concerns for landlords is how to protect themselves against unpaid rent. Between personal guarantors, the Visale guarantee and unpaid rent insurance (GLI), it is not always easy to understand which guarantees can be combined.
Can a landlord request a guarantor from a tenant who is already covered by Visale? Can unpaid rent insurance be combined with a joint and several guarantee? What does French law say about combining rental guarantees?
In this article, we explain the differences between these protection schemes, the rules governing their combination, eligibility requirements and the most suitable solutions depending on the landlord's and tenant's circumstances. For further information, you can also read our guide on preventing unpaid rent in furnished rentals.
Before discussing whether guarantees can be combined, it is essential to understand the different options available to secure a rental property.
A personal guarantor is an individual or legal entity that agrees to pay the rent and charges if the tenant fails to meet their payment obligations.
This is commonly referred to as a guarantor or a joint and several guarantor. The commitment is formalized through a guarantee agreement attached to the rental contract.
A guarantor may be:
This solution is widely used for student rentals or tenants whose income is considered insufficient by the landlord.
Visale is a free rental guarantee provided by Action Logement. It acts as a guarantor for tenants and protects landlords against unpaid rent and certain types of damage to the property.
Visale operates as an institutional guarantor. If the tenant fails to pay rent, Action Logement compensates the landlord and subsequently seeks reimbursement from the tenant.
The Visale scheme is primarily intended for:
The application process is completed entirely online before the rental agreement is signed.
GLI, short for Garantie Loyers Impayés, is an unpaid rent insurance policy taken out by the landlord with an insurance provider.
This insurance can provide coverage for:
Unlike Visale, GLI is a paid insurance policy. Its cost generally ranges from 2% to 4% of the annual rent, including charges.
To qualify for insurance coverage, the tenant's application must meet certain financial and professional criteria:
In the event of unpaid rent, the insurance provider handles the claim according to the terms and conditions of the policy.
If you would like to explore this topic further, read our article explaining why taking out unpaid rent insurance can be beneficial for furnished rental properties.
In most cases, no.
French rental regulations generally prevent landlords from requiring both:
Visale is specifically designed to replace a traditional guarantor.
There are specific exceptions to the rules governing rental guarantees.
For students and apprentices, certain combinations of guarantees may be permitted depending on the applicable legal provisions and the conditions of the Visale scheme.
Landlords should therefore verify the requirements of Action Logement before requesting additional guarantees.
Once again, French law strictly regulates the combination of guarantees.
A landlord who takes out GLI insurance cannot normally request a joint and several guarantor from the tenant.
An exception applies to students and apprentices.
In these circumstances, the landlord may be able to combine:
This solution is often considered in major university cities, where landlords may perceive a higher risk of missed rental payments.
In practice, combining these two guarantees is rarely accepted.
Most insurers do not allow a rental property to benefit simultaneously from:
Why? Because both schemes are designed to cover the same risk of unpaid rent, resulting in overlapping protection.
Before taking out insurance, landlords should carefully review the policy conditions with their insurance provider.
The best solution depends primarily on the tenant's application and the level of protection the landlord requires.
Visale is often an excellent option because it is:
It makes renting accommodation easier for students who do not yet have a stable income.
GLI is generally the preferred solution for landlords.
It provides broader protection, including:
In certain circumstances, such as self-employment, probationary periods or professional relocation, Visale can help secure rental applications that might otherwise be rejected by traditional insurance providers.
Visale offers several benefits:
However, the scheme also has certain limitations:
As a result, not all tenants can benefit from this guarantee.
Several best practices can help landlords minimize the risk of unpaid rent:
Effective rental management can often help prevent difficulties related to rent payments.
If unpaid rent persists, specific steps should be taken promptly to protect the landlord's rental income. We explain the different procedures in our article about what to do when a tenant stops paying rent.
To provide landlords with even greater protection, Lodgis offers its own unpaid rent guarantee, specifically designed to secure furnished rental investments.
Yes. In most situations, Visale acts as a guarantee and replaces the traditional personal guarantor.
Yes. The scheme also provides coverage for certain types of damage caused by tenants, subject to its terms and conditions.
Visale is a free guarantee provided by Action Logement, while GLI is a paid insurance policy taken out with an insurance provider, often offering broader coverage.
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