Re-Rental Checklist: Diagnostics, Insurance, Furniture and Safety

Re-renting a furnished property involves far more than listing it online and signing a new lease: it requires a structured eight-step preparation process to meet legal obligations and protect the investment. Verifying the validity of the mandatory technical diagnostic file — energy performance certificate, lead, asbestos, electricity, gas, and risk statements — is the first priority, as expired or missing documents can expose the landlord to legal liability. A thorough inspection of the property's general condition, covering paintwork, plumbing, heating, electrical installations and fire safety, should be completed before the property is listed again. All furniture and equipment must comply with the requirements set out in French decree no. 2015-981, and a dated, photographed inventory serves as the essential reference document for the move-out inspection. Mandatory paperwork — lease agreement, technical diagnostics, information notice and co-ownership regulations where applicable — must be ready before the lease is signed. Landlord insurance coverage, including non-occupant owner insurance and an optional unpaid rent guarantee, should be reviewed and updated. The property listing must reflect the current state of the property and include mandatory energy performance information, with the rent set according to local market conditions. Finally, a precise and detailed move-in inventory protects both landlord and tenant from the moment the keys are handed over.

Putting a property back on the rental market is not just about publishing an advert and signing a lease. Before a new tenant moves in, the owner or landlord must check several key points to ensure the property is compliant, legally secure and ready for furnished rental.

Mandatory diagnostics, furniture condition, required equipment, administrative documents, insurance and safety checks are all essential steps. Careful preparation helps avoid disputes, protect your real estate investment and make the rental process smoother.

Discover our complete checklist to prepare your furnished property for re-rental in 2026.

Why use a checklist before re-renting a property?

Between two tenants, the property should be checked thoroughly. This is the ideal time to assess the overall condition of the premises, carry out any necessary work, update mandatory documents and make sure the furniture and equipment are compliant.

A checklist helps you:

• Comply with the landlord’s legal obligations.
• Reduce the risk of disputes during the move-in inventory.
• Make the property more attractive to prospective tenants.
• Limit the risk of unpaid rent with a better-prepared tenant file.
• Preserve the profitability of your rental investment.

Step 1: check mandatory property diagnostics

Before re-renting your furnished property, make sure your technical diagnostic file is valid and up to date. These documents must be provided to the tenant when the lease is signed.

Diagnostics to check

Depending on the type of property and its construction date, you may need to check:

• The EPC, or energy performance diagnosis.
• The lead diagnosis.
• The asbestos diagnosis.
• The statement of risks and pollution.
• The electricity diagnosis.
• The gas diagnosis.

Energy performance has become a key issue for any rental property. An expired or missing diagnosis may expose the landlord to legal risks.

Also check the co-ownership rules

If your property is located in a co-ownership building, make sure that recent works, decisions or regulations do not affect the rental of the property.

Step 2: check the general condition of the property

Before putting the property back on the rental market, carry out a full inspection of the premises.

Key points to check

• Paintwork and wall coverings.
• Floors and walls.
• Windows and joinery.
• Locks and closing systems.
• Heating system.
• Plumbing.
• Electricity.
• Smoke detector.

A clean property in good condition is easier to rent and can help reduce vacancy periods.

Check safety elements

Safety must remain a priority for every landlord:

• Working smoke detector.
• Safe electrical installation.
• Compliant guardrails.
• No humidity or mould issues.
• Efficient locking systems.

Step 3: check the mandatory furniture for furnished rental

French decree no. 2015-981 sets the list of furniture and equipment required for a property to qualify as a furnished rental. To check that your property meets the expected criteria, you can refer to Lodgis’ French guide on mandatory equipment for renting a furnished property.

Mandatory furniture list

The property must include at least:

• Bedding with a duvet or blanket.
• Shutters or curtains in bedrooms.
• A table.
• Seats or chairs.
• Storage shelves.
• Lighting fixtures.
• Cleaning equipment suitable for the property.

Mandatory kitchen equipment

The kitchen must include:

• Cooking plates.
• An oven or microwave oven.
• A refrigerator with a freezer compartment.
• Sufficient tableware.
• Kitchen utensils.

A precise inventory of furniture and equipment helps avoid disputes when the tenant leaves.

Step 4: update the furniture inventory

The furniture inventory is an essential document in furnished rental.

It should include:

• The complete list of furniture.
• The equipment provided.
• Their working condition.
• Any relevant comments.

This inventory will be attached to the rental agreement and used as a reference during the move-out inspection.

Practical tip

Take dated photos of each room, as well as the main furniture and equipment. These photos can usefully complete the inventory.

Step 5: prepare the mandatory documents

Before signing the lease, several documents must be ready.

Documents to give to the tenant

• Rental agreement.
• Technical diagnostics.
• Move-in inventory.
• Furniture inventory.
• Information notice.
• Co-ownership regulations when required.

Also check the information relating to the rent amount, charges, security deposit and lease duration. For more details on this subject, you can read our guide on the rental security deposit.

Specific cases

Depending on the type of rental, specific documents may be required:

• Student lease.
• Shared tenancy.
• Main residence lease.
• Mobility lease.
• Seasonal rental.

Step 6: check insurance

Insurance is often overlooked, even though it helps protect the landlord’s real estate assets.

Landlord insurance

The landlord should check:

• The validity of their non-occupant owner insurance.
• Coverage against damage and claims.
• Civil liability guarantees.

Unpaid rent guarantee

To further secure your rental, you may also take out an unpaid rent guarantee. This type of protection can cover:

• Unpaid rent.
• Legal procedure costs.
• Certain rental damages.

Step 7: prepare the property listing

Once the property is ready, it is time to organise its marketing.

Check your listing

Before publishing:

• Update the photos.
• Check the property description.
• Review the listed equipment.
• Update the rent amount.
• Mention mandatory energy performance information.

Set the right rent

The rent should take into account:

• The location.
• The condition of the property.
• The level of equipment.
• The local rental market.

Step 8: prepare the move-in inventory

The move-in inventory is a key step in furnished rental.

It should accurately mention:

• The condition of each room.
• The condition of the equipment.
• Meter readings.
• Any observations.

A detailed inventory protects both the landlord and the tenant.

In summary

Putting a furnished property back on the rental market requires careful preparation. Checking diagnostics, mandatory furniture, the inventory, documents, insurance and the move-in inspection are all essential steps to secure your rental.

With this checklist, you have a practical guide to prepare your property in the best possible conditions, comply with your landlord obligations and offer your future tenant a compliant, comfortable and ready-to-live-in home.