Hi Phil
If you want to retrieve the rent owed and/or get her to leave you must see a Huissier asap - take all documents/correspondence with you. Did the tenant sign any form of contract? Problem is it will take many months to resolve. However this may just jolt her into action.
There is also an organisation called ADIL/ANIL who help landlords and tenants with any problems they may have and they will help you with advice on what options you have. Website is here:
However, we have had a similar problem where a tenant could no longer afford the rent and after lots of broken promises, we talked to the guy and told him we were going to see a Huissier. He was scared by this and we said if you leave now, you owe us nothing - so he left that week-end. He prefered to go rather than go down the Huissier route. We had a new tenant in within the month…
Sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and get them gone and move on. A Huissier costs money (tax deductible though!) and takes time. We know of people who have paid tenants to leave rather than drag it out.
I would also go to see the CAF to find out what they know - if she receives CAF help then the CAF will pay you direct if you ask for this , but maybe you need to go to see the CAF in her area - the ADIL will help you with advice on this.
If the CAF have paid her and she hasn’t paid you then the CAF will go after her for the money and will stop her payments. It’s better for her to come up with a way to pay you what she owes.
In summary, get advice from ADIL and check out the CAF situation. Then if that doesn’t resolve things, get someone who speaks fluent french to call her and get to the bottom of this. If you get nowhere and she has no intention of paying or leaving, then get a Huissier.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on - we know this stuff is very stressful but you will sort this out!
Cheers
Kate