Long term rental - when are locateurs committed

[Oboulez]

We are trying to rent long term our cottage in south Brittany for the first time. A couple of possible renters, having given an indication of intent, have pulled out. We are advertising with two agencies. Having received such a suggestion of intent, thankfully we have not told the other agency to stop advertising. At what point is the renter actually committed - presumably after they actually sign a contract?? Does anybody have a turn of phrase that we can give to our agents to pass on in the event that they have supposedly found a renter which basically says "okay, you have said that you want to rent the house, however if anybody comes up with the readies before you formally & legally commit it is theirs". Thanks

[NormanH]

They are committed once they have signed the contract, paid the deposit and done the état des lieux, but remember they can give three months notice at any time.

http://droit-finances.commentcamarche.net/contents/immobilier-location/l70-quand-le-locataire-resilie-le-bail.php3

Some may be waiting until after the 1st January to avoid the Taxe d'habitation 2013.

You can find lots of useful information here

http://droit-finances.commentcamarche.net/contents/immobilier-location/

[Oboulez]

You are right about the taxe. Thanks for the useful info. All gratefuly received. We were after something which might concentrate the mind for anybody genuinely interested.

[NormanH]

You can say

Pas  sérieux s'abstenir

But it always sounds rather rude to me.

[ericd]

You can say : Nous nous reserverons le droit de continuer de chercher un bailleur pour notre maison jusqu'a ce qu'un compromis de location soit signe.

[Oboulez]

This is the one ericd. Thanks. Just the phrase we want.