There is a total of 5 narrow vertical windows in our new furnished rental apt in Bordeaux, two in the bathroom and three in a bedroom. The bedroom also has a long narrow horizontal window that tilts on bottom hinges to open a couple of inches maximum at the top. The only other windows are manual Velux. The Velux have to be closed every time we go out or when it rains. Besides this being labor intensive, and only husband is tall enough to reach to open or close them, there is no air circulation when the Velux are closed. There is no air circulation at any time in the bedroom or bathroom with the sealed vertical windows.
The landlord said that the windows cannot be opened because of the neighbor. He claims that there was a court hearing based on a Napoleonic law and he lost.
Two days ago when in our downstairs neighbor’s apt for the first time, I learned that their windows, much wider and taller than ours, and on the same wall, open freely and all the way.
The ADIL rep told us that the windows must open. Can anyone help out to clarify this situation ?
Clarify what exactly?
You have some windows that do not open, you have some windows that you are not allowed to open and other windows too high to open…,
All I can clarify is that Velux make poles with a hook to open the ones too high for you…
Given you mention a Velux skylight, I’m supposing your rental flat is an attic conversion? Your downstairs neighbour will be occupying the original residence with old windows, or at least older window spaces.
Where the Naoleonic regs kick in is when renovation plans are submitted with windows that have not existed before, or changes in size and placement. New windows overlooking someone else’s property may be objected to. Older windows that may predate the neighbours are left in peace.
Perhaps you could be kinder in your response. There is no air circulation in the two spaces that have the vertical sealed shut windows. My question would be regarding a law that governs air circulation.
Right, a retiree swinging around a 2.5M pole to open the six Velux numerous times a day.
Are you staying there long? Sounds rather disagreeable especially with the temperatures we’ve been having. If windows aren’t made to open though I don’t know what anyone can do about it.
Thank you so much. I had a feeling that this was related to the 30 year time period. Or 70 years.
The neighbors have a huge plate glass window that covers the entire wall with their bed right on the other side.
My question is - Is a small bedroom permitted to have no air flow due to the single narrow window opens only a crack and the other windows not at all? The towels in the bathroom smell because the windows do not open and the humidity thing on the wall serves little purpose. Is there anything to do to fix the situation in this apartment?
We got fed up with poles, and have solar powered electrical opening on our veluxes. If the ventilation in the apartment is substandard perhaps you can ask for that to be fitted? Expensive tho’.
I’m wondering why you rented this place, didn’t you test the windows? I’m asking because renting it might constitute agreement to non functioning windows, especially as other windows however impractical, do open. Here’s a Reddit thread which may give more information.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Tenant/comments/1865q5z/landlord_telling_me_im_not_allowed_to_open/?tl=fr
Just so you know, that Redditor is American and based in Boston… Reddit tries to be helpful and translates the original post into French which can give the impression it’s about someone in France. I guess that’s what the “?tl=fr” argument in the URL is for.
Ah - you did not ask for clarity on the habitation aspect!
You are into specialist stuff here, what a landlord is or is not permitted to do.
I doubt anyone here would know this detail, so you might be wise buying an hour or so of a lawyer knowledgeable in this field.
They actually have hinges. Sealed shut though.
Ask ANIL. They should be able to tell you with authority.
I commiserate with the OP!
Are the windows that don’t open frosted?
The law permits the installation of opaque fixed glazing inserts into a wall (or roof) that are translucent but not transparent, so they give light inside, but not visibility to the outside.
This dispensation is referred to as les jours de souffrance or les jours de tolérance and is widely used in servitude de vue cases. This may explain the compromise made for the neighbour’s dispute.
Regarding rooms with no opening windows, here is what AI says:
In France, rental properties are generally required to have at least one operable window per room. This is a part of ensuring basic habitability and safety standards for renters. If a rental property’s windows are not opening, it could be a breach of the landlord’s obligations.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Minimum Standard:
French law mandates that rental properties provide adequate ventilation and natural light, typically achieved through operable windows.
Landlord’s Responsibility:
Landlords are generally responsible for ensuring the property is in good repair and meets basic living standards. This includes making sure windows function properly.
Addressing the Issue:
If windows are not opening, a tenant should first contact the landlord to inform them of the problem.
Legal Recourse:
If the landlord fails to address the issue, the tenant may have legal recourse, such as contacting a housing authority or tenant rights organization.
Specific Regulations:
It’s worth noting that there might be specific local regulations or requirements regarding windows in certain areas or types of buildings.
In essence, the lack of operable windows in a French rental property is a potential issue that should be addressed with the landlord, and if necessary, further action may be taken to ensure the tenant’s rights are protected.
Although having already signed a lease may bring your problem into the area of contract law, it may still be worth first contacting both the retail agency and the landlord to see if anything further can be done to make your rental soace more humane.
Another thought….
This rental apartment may not comply with French fire safety regulations (Règlement de sécurité contre l’incendie relatif aux établissements recevant du public (ERP).
This does vary slightly from one Department to another but generally there always needs to be an accessible escape way in the event of fire making internal descent impossible.
How annoying, I didn’t read the thread it popped up when I did a search in French obv. Pfffffffff
My advice is simple, leave and find somewhere else, you said you are retired, life is too short and too precious to spend your time trying to move what appears to be a mountain.
This is the catch-all that the landlord will claim he is in I guess, with his/her answer that the Veluxes - despite their inconvenience - is how s/he complies with any regulation.
As a matter of intermest, who/what is ANIL??
Oh boy, easier said than done. We were so glad to have a place to call home.
Thank you for this idea. There is no way we could get out through any of these windows even if they did open. The vertical ones are too narrow - the frames are 10.5” leaving I would guess less than 7.5” opening. There is a big terrace on the roof. I wouldn’t want to be stuck up there in the event of a fire. I don’t know if that counts as an escape hatch. What do you suppose?
We went to ADIL last week. We were told that the windows must open or that they must be moved Sounded kind of fishy to me, as in not reliable information.
@Susannah I don’t know what ANIL is.