Key takeaways

The attestation in 60 seconds

When you need it

  • Before signing the lease : the bailleur won't release keys without it (this happens during the état des lieux).
  • At each lease anniversary : bailleur can request a fresh attestation.
  • For school registration (some communes) and certain administrative procedures.

How to get it fast

  • Online insurers (Luko, Lemonade, Acheel) deliver by email in 30 min.
  • Already insured ? Download from your espace client in 2 clicks.
  • Always keep a PDF copy on your phone : useful for spot checks and renewals.

What is the attestation d'assurance habitation ?

It's a one-page document issued by your home insurer that confirms you're insured. It states :

  • Your name as the policyholder ;
  • The insured property's address ;
  • The contract number and the insurer's name ;
  • The cover dates : typically 1 year from the subscription anniversary ;
  • The guarantees included, especially the risques locatifs (fire, water damage, explosion) required by law for tenants.

It's not the full insurance contract : it's a summary issued to prove cover. The full contract (conditions particulières, conditions générales) stays with you and the insurer.

When do you need the attestation ?

Signing a lease

This is by far the most common use. Article 7 g of the loi du 6 juillet 1989 obliges any tenant of an unfurnished home to subscribe an MRH ; the attestation is the proof. Most bailleurs (and all real-estate agencies) ask for it at the key handover.

Red flag : the bailleur can refuse to release the property without the attestation, even if you've paid the first month's rent and the security deposit. If you turn up at signature without it, you may have to come back another day : costly if you've already organised the move.

At each lease anniversary

The bailleur is entitled to request a fresh attestation each year (article 7 g, paragraph 2). Some send a written request ; others rely on the tenant to send it spontaneously. Set a calendar reminder for your lease anniversary.

Other administrative uses

  • School registration in some communes (especially primary schools in Paris) ;
  • Right-of-residence procedures with the préfecture for visa renewals ;
  • Specific banking or loan applications when the bank wants proof of stable housing ;
  • Co-ownership disputes if the syndic asks every owner to prove civil liability cover.

How to get the attestation step by step

If you're not yet insured, you need to subscribe an MRH first. The attestation is then issued automatically.

1

Choose an insurer

Use our live ranking or call our advisor on +33 9 87 67 37 93. For new arrivals, Luko (FAQ in English), Lemonade (full English app) and Acheel (cheapest digital) are the fastest options.

2

Get a quote and subscribe online

10–15 minutes online for online insurers, longer for traditional. You'll need : ID, proof of address (lease or future-lease confirmation), French RIB or SEPA-mandate from any Eurozone bank.

3

Pay the first instalment

Usually a monthly direct debit. Some traditional insurers ask for the full first year up-front. The contract takes effect on the date you specify (typically the day of the lease signing).

4

Receive the attestation by email

Online insurers : within 30 minutes (Luko : instant, Lemonade : few minutes, Acheel : within an hour). Traditional insurers : 24-48 hours. The attestation arrives as a PDF.

5

Print it (or keep the PDF)

Most bailleurs accept the PDF on your phone, but a printed copy is safer. Keep it with your lease and other admin documents in a single folder.

Already insured ? Log into your espace client on the insurer's website or app. The attestation is usually downloadable as a PDF in 2 clicks. Common paths : "Mes documents" → "Attestation" or "Mon contrat" → "Attestation d'assurance".

What if you can't produce one in time ?

If the lease signing is in a few hours and you don't yet have the attestation, here's the order of operations :

  1. Subscribe online with an instant insurer. Luko, Lemonade, Acheel issue the attestation within 30 minutes of payment confirmation. This is the fastest path.
  2. Call our advisor for help. Free, English-speaking, can subscribe on your behalf with a partner insurer and email you the attestation immediately. Phone : +33 9 87 67 37 93.
  3. Ask your bailleur for a 24h delay. Most accept it if you can show proof of subscription (the email confirmation, even before the attestation arrives). They may charge a daily indemnity.
  4. Plan B : ask the real-estate agency to recommend an insurance broker. Some have partner brokers who can issue the attestation on the spot : usually a more expensive contract, but it solves the immediate problem.
What you cannot do : sign the lease and "deal with the insurance later". The bailleur is entitled to refuse the keys, and if they accept and you have a fire / water-damage incident before subscribing, you're personally liable for the damage to the property and to neighbours. The lease itself can be terminated for breach.

What information must the attestation contain ?

The minimum mandatory fields, as required by article 7 g and standardised across the French insurance industry :

  • Insurer's name and SIRET number ;
  • Policyholder's full name ;
  • Insured property address ;
  • Contract number ;
  • Effective dates (start and end) ;
  • Confirmation that "risques locatifs" are covered ;
  • Date of issue and signature (or electronic seal).

Some insurers add :

  • Optional guarantees (theft, glass breakage, etc.) ;
  • Declared mobile-property value ;
  • Specific clauses (telework, holiday-let, etc.) ;
  • An "official seal" QR code or PDF signature for verification.

If your attestation lacks the address or the dates, the bailleur is right to refuse it : request a corrected version from your insurer.

How much does it cost to get an attestation ?

The attestation itself is always free. It is a one-page document the insurer generates automatically from your existing MRH contract, and they cannot legally charge for it. The same applies for every regenerated copy : at lease anniversary, after a contract change, or just for your records.

What you pay is the underlying MRH contract — the attestation is just proof that contract exists. The premium depends on your exact property profile (surface, postal code, occupation status), so there is no public "attestation price" to publish. To see actual current prices :

  • Live home insurance ranking : our comparator queries the Insurance API and returns the cheapest MRH offers for the most common owner and tenant profiles, with monthly premium and full coverage detail.
  • Personalised quote : a Selectra advisor compares offers in your name and emails you the attestation within 30 minutes of subscription.
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Beware of "express attestation" scam websites that charge €15-€50 to deliver a document your real insurer would email for free. The legal attestation can only come from the company underwriting your contract — anyone else selling it is selling air.

Frequently asked questions

Is the attestation always mandatory ?

For tenants of unfurnished properties : yes, mandatory by law. For furnished rentals : not legally required but the lease usually demands it. For owner-occupiers : not legally required but the syndic may request it once a year.

When will I receive the attestation ?

Online insurers (Luko, Lemonade, Acheel) : within 30 minutes of payment confirmation. Traditional insurers (AXA, MAIF, MMA) : 24 to 48 hours, by email or post.

Is a PDF on my phone sufficient ?

For most bailleurs : yes. Some still want a printed copy ; rare cases ask for a postal original. When in doubt, print it : it costs nothing and avoids a delay at the lease signing.

How long is the attestation valid ?

It states the cover period : usually 1 year. The bailleur can ask for a fresh one at each anniversary. Set a calendar reminder for the lease's annual date.

Can I forge an attestation ?

Producing a false attestation is a criminal offence (article 441-1 of the Code pénal : up to 3 years imprisonment and €45,000 fine). Bailleurs can verify the document directly with the insurer using the contract number on it.

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