Psalm 1

BOOK I : Psalms 1-41

¹ Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

What does this Psalm tell you.  Let us break it down with a commentary

P S A L M S

PSALM I.

This is a psalm of instruction concerning good and evil, setting before us life and death, the blessing and the curse, that we may take the right way which leads to happiness and avoid that which will certainly end in our misery and ruin. The different character and condition of godly people and wicked people, those that serve God and those that serve him not, is here plainly stated in a few words; so that every man, if he will be faithful to himself, may here see his own face and then read his own doom. That division of the children of men into saints and sinners, righteous and unrighteous, the children of God and the children of the wicked one, as it is ancient, ever since the struggle began between sin and grace, the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, so it is lasting, and will survive all other divisions and subdivisions of men into high and low, rich and poor, bond and free; for by this men’s everlasting state will be determined, and the distinction will last as long as heaven and hell. This psalm shows us, I. The holiness and happiness of a godly man, ver. 1-3. II. The sinfulness and misery of a wicked man, ver. 4, 5. III. The ground and reason of both, ver. 6. Whoever collected the psalms of David (probably it was Ezra) with good reason put this psalm first, as a preface to the rest, because it is absolutely necessary to the acceptance of our devotions that we be righteous before God (for it is only the prayer of the upright that is his delight), and therefore that we be right in our notions of blessedness and in our choice of the way that leads to it. Those are not fit to put up good prayers who do not walk in good ways.

The Happy Man.

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.   2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.   3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The psalmist begins with the character and condition of a godly man, that those may first take the comfort of that to whom it belongs. Here is,

I. A description of the godly man’s spirit and way, by which we are to try ourselves. The Lord knows those that are his by name, but we must know them by their character; for that is agreeable to a state of probation, that we may study to answer to the character, which is indeed both the command of the law which we are bound in duty to obey and the condition of the promise which we are bound in interest to fulfil. The character of a good man is here given by the rules he chooses to walk by and to take his measures from. What we take at our setting out, and at every turn, for the guide of our conversation, whether the course of this world or the word of God, is of material consequence. An error in the choice of our standard and leader is original and fatal; but, if we be right here, we are in a fair way to do well.

1. A godly man, that he may avoid the evil, utterly renounces the companionship of evil-doers, and will not be led by them (v. 1): He walks not in the council of the ungodly, &c. This part of his character is put first, because those that will keep the commandments of their God must say to evil-doers, Depart from us (Ps. cxix. 115), and departing from evil is that in which wisdom begins. (1.) He sees evil-doers round about him; the world is full of them; they walk on every side. They are here described by three characters, ungodly, sinners, and scornful. See by what steps men arrive at the height of impiety. Nemo repente fit turpissimus—None reach the height of vice at once. They are ungodly first, casting off the fear of God and living in the neglect of their duty to him: but they rest not there. When the services of religion are laid aside, they come to be sinners, that is, they break out into open rebellion against God and engage in the service of sin and Satan. Omissions make way for commissions, and by these the heart is so hardened that at length they come to be scorners, that is, they openly defy all that is sacred, scoff at religion, and make a jest of sin. Thus is the way of iniquity down-hill; the bad grow worse, sinners themselves become tempters to others and advocates for Baal. The word which we translate ungodly signifies such as are unsettled, aim at no certain end and walk by no certain rule, but are at the command of every lust and at the beck of every temptation. The word for sinners signifies such as are determined for the practice of sin and set it up as their trade. The scornful are those that settheir mouths against the heavens. These the good man sees with a sad heart; they are a constant vexation to his righteous soul. But, (2.) He shuns them wherever he sees them. He does not do as they do; and, that he may not, he does not converse familiarly with them. [1.] He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. He is not present at their councils, nor does he advise with them; though they are ever so witty, and subtle, and learned, if they are ungodly, they shall not be the men of his counsel. He does not consent to them, nor say as they say, Luke xxiii. 51. He does not take his measures from their principles, nor act according to the advice which they give and take. The ungodly are forward to give their advice against religion, and it is managed so artfully that we have reason to think ourselves happy if we escape being tainted and ensnared by it. [2.] He stands not in the way of sinners;he avoids doing as they do; their way shall not be his way; he will not come into it, much less will he continue in it, as the sinner does, who sets himself in a way that is not good, Ps. xxxvi. 4. He avoids (as much as may be) being where they are. That he may not imitate them, he will not associate with them, nor choose them for his companions. He does not stand in their way, to be picked up by them (Prov. vii. 8), but keeps as far from them as from a place or person infected with the plague, for fear of the contagion, Prov. iv. 14, 15. He that would be kept from harm must keep out of harm’s way. [3.] He sits not in the seat of the scornful; he does not repose himself with those that sit down secure in their wickedness and please themselves with the searedness of their own consciences. He does not associate with those that sit in close cabal to find out ways and means for the support and advancement of the devil’s kingdom, or that sit in open judgment, magisterially to condemn the generation of the righteous. The seat of the drunkards is the seat of the scornful,Ps. lxix. 12. Happy is the man that never sits in it, Hos. vii. 5.

2. A godly man, that he may do that which is good and cleave to it, submits to the guidance of the word of God and makes that familiar to him, v. 2. This is that which keeps him out of the way of the ungodly and fortifies him against their temptations. By the words of thy lips I have kept me from the path of the deceiver, Ps. xvii. 4. We need not court the fellowship of sinners, either for pleasure or for improvement, while we have fellowship with the word of God and with God himself in and by his word. When thou awakest it shall talk with thee, Prov. vi. 22. We may judge of our spiritual state by asking, “What is the law of God to us? What account do we make of it? What place has it in us?” See here, (1.) The entire affection which a good man has for the law of God: His delight is in it. He delights in it, though it be a law, a yoke, because it is the law of God, which is holy, just, and good, which he freely consents to, and so delights in, after the inner man,Rom. vii. 16, 22. All who are well pleased that there is a God must be well pleased that there is a Bible, a revelation of God, of his will, and of the only way to happiness in him. (2.) The intimate acquaintance which a good man keeps up with the word of God: In that law doth he meditate day and night; and by this it appears that his delight is in it, for what we love we love to think of, Ps. cxix. 97. To meditate in God’s word is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with a close application of mind, a fixedness of thought, till we be suitably affected with those things and experience the savour and power of them in our hearts. This we must do day and night; we must have a constant habitual regard to the word of God as the rule of our actions and the spring of our comforts, and we must have it in our thoughts, accordingly, upon every occasion that occurs, whether night or day. No time is amiss for meditating on the word of God, nor is any time unseasonable for those visits. We must not only set ourselves to meditate on God’s word morning and evening, at the entrance of the day and of the night, but these thought should be interwoven with the business and converse of every day and with the repose and slumbers of every night. When I awake I am still with thee.

II. An assurance given of the godly man’s happiness, with which we should encourage ourselves to answer the character of such. 1. In general, he is blessed,Ps. v. 1. God blesses him, and that blessing will make him happy. Blessednesses are to him, blessings of all kinds, of the upper and nether springs, enough to make him completely happy; none of the ingredients of happiness shall be wanting to him. When the psalmist undertakes to describe a blessed man, he describes a good man; for, after all, those only are happy, truly happy, that are holy, truly holy; and we are more concerned to know the way to blessedness than to know wherein that blessedness will consist. Nay, goodness and holiness are not only the way to happiness (Rev. xxii. 14) but happiness itself; supposing there were not another life after this, yet that man is a happy man that keeps in the way of his duty. 2. His blessedness is here illustrated by a similitude (v. 3): He shall be like a tree, fruitful and flourishing. This is the effect, (1.) Of his pious practice; he meditates in the law of God, turns that in succum et sanguinem—into juice and blood, and that makes him like a tree. The more we converse with the word of God the better furnished we are for every good word and work. Or, (2.) Of the promised blessing; he is blessed of the Lord, and therefore he shall be like a tree. The divine blessing produces real effects. It is the happiness of a godly man, [1.] That he is planted by the grace of God. These trees were by nature wild olives, and will continue so till they are grafted anew, and so planted by a power from above. Never any good tree grew of itself; it is the planting of the Lord, and therefore he must in it be glorified. Isa. lxi. 3, The trees of the Lord are full of sap. [2.] That he is placed by the means of grace, here called the rivers of water, those rivers which make glad the city of our God (Ps. xlvi. 4); from these a good man receives supplies of strength and vigour, but in secret undiscerned ways. [3.] That his practices shall be fruit, abounding to a good account, Phil. iv. 17. To those whom God first blessed he said, Be fruitful (Gen. i. 22), and still the comfort and honour of fruitfulness are a recompense for the labour of it. It is expected from those who enjoy the mercies of grace that, both in the temper of their minds and in the tenour of their lives, they comply with the intentions of that grace, and then they bring forth fruit. And, be it observed to the praise of the great dresser of the vineyard, they bring forth their fruit (that which is required of them) in due season, when it is most beautiful and most useful, improving every opportunity of doing good and doing it in its proper time. [4.] That his profession shall be preserved from blemish and decay: His leaf also shall not wither. As to those who bring forth only the leaves of profession, without any good fruit, even their leaf will wither and they shall be as much ashamed of their profession as ever they were proud of it; but, if the word of God rule in the heart, that will keep the profession green, both to our comfort and to our credit; the laurels thus won shall never wither. [5.] That prosperity shall attend him wherever he goes, soul-prosperity. Whatever he does, in conformity to the law, it shall prosper and succeed to his mind, or above his hope.

In singing these verses, being duly affected with the malignant and dangerous nature of sin, the transcendent excellencies of the divine law, and the power and efficacy of God’s grace, from which our fruit is found, we must teach and admonish ourselves, and one another, to watch against sin and all approaches towards it, to converse much with the word of God, and abound in the fruit of righteousness; and, in praying over them, we must seek to God for his grace both to fortify us against every evil word and work and to furnish us for every good word and work.

Description and Doom of the Ungodly.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.   5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.   6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Here is, I. The description of the ungodly given, v. 4. 1. In general, they are the reverse of the righteous, both in character and condition: They are not so. The LXX. emphatically repeats this: Not so the ungodly; they are not so; they are led by the counsel of the wicked, in the way of sinners, to the seat of the scornful; they have no delight in the law of God, nor ever think of it; they bring forth no fruit but grapes of Sodom; they cumber the ground. 2. In particular, whereas the righteous are like valuable, useful, fruitful trees, they are like the chaff which the wind drives away, the very lightest of the chaff, the dust which the owner of the floor desires to have driven away, as not capable of being put to any use. Would you value them? Would you weigh them? They are like chaff, of no worth at all in God’s account, how highly soever they may value themselves. Would you know the temper of their minds? They are light and vain; they have no substance in them, no solidity; they are easily driven to and fro by every wind and temptation, and have no stedfastness. Would you know their end? The wrath of God will drive them away in their wickedness, as the wind does the chaff, which is never gathered nor looked after more. The chaff may be, for a while, among the wheat; but he is comingwhose fan is in his hand and who will thoroughly purge his floor. Those that by their own sin and folly make themselves as chaff will be found so before the whirlwind and fire of divine wrath (Ps. xxxv. 5), so unable to stand before it or to escape it, Isa. xvii. 13.

II. The doom of the ungodly read, v. 5. 1. They will be cast, upon their trial, as traitors convicted: They shall not stand in the judgment, that is, they shall be found guilty, shall hang down the head with shame and confusion, and all their pleas and excuses will be overruled as frivolous. There is a judgment to come, in which every man’s present character and work, though ever so artfully concealed and disguised, shall be truly and perfectly discovered, and appear in their own colours, and accordingly every man’s future state will be, by an irreversible sentence, determined for eternity. The ungodly must appear in that judgment, to receive according to the things done in the body. They may hope to come off, nay, to come off with honour, but their hope will deceive them: They shall not stand in the judgment, so plain will the evidence be against them and so just and impartial will the judgment be upon it. 2. They will be for ever shut out from the society of the blessed. They shall not stand in the congregation of the righteous, that is, in the judgment (so some), that court wherein the saints, as assessors with Christ, shall judge the world, those holy myriads with which he shall come to executejudgment upon all, Jude 14; 1 Cor. vi. 2. Or in heaven. There will be seen, shortly, a general assembly of the church of the first-born, a congregation of the righteous, of all the saints, and none but saints, and saints made perfect, such a congregation of them as never was in this world, 2 Thess. ii. 1. The wicked shall not have a place in that congregation. Into the new Jerusalem none unclean nor unsanctified shall enter; they shall see the righteous enter into the kingdom, and themselves, to their everlasting vexation, thrust out, Luke xiii. 27. The wicked and profane, in this world, ridiculed the righteous and their congregation, despised them, and cared not for their company; justly therefore will they be for ever separated from them. Hypocrites in this world, under the disguise of a plausible profession, may thrust themselves into the congregation of the righteous and remain undisturbed and undiscovered there; but Christ cannot be imposed upon, though his ministers may; the day is coming when he will separate between the sheep and the goats, the tares and the wheat; see Matt. xiii. 41, 49. That great day(so the Chaldee here calls it) will be a day of discovery, a day of distinction, and a day of final division. Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, which here it is sometimes hard to do, Mal. iii. 18.

III. The reason rendered of this different state of the godly and wicked, v. 6. 1. God must have all the glory of the prosperity and happiness of the righteous. They are blessed because the Lord knows their way; he chose them into it, inclined them to choose it, leads and guides them in it, and orders all their steps. 2. Sinners must bear all the blame of their own destruction. Therefore the ungodly perish, because the very way in which they have chosen and resolved to walk leads directly to destruction; it naturally tends towards ruin and therefore must necessarily end in it. Or we may take it thus, The Lord approves and is well pleased with the way of the righteous, and therefore, under the influence of his gracious smiles, it shall prosper and end well; but he is angry at the way of the wicked, all they do is offensive to him, and therefore it shall perish, and they in it. It is certain that every man’s judgment proceeds from the Lord, and it is well or ill with us, and is likely to be so to all eternity, accordingly as we are or are not accepted of God. Let this support the drooping spirits of the righteous, that the Lord knows their way, knows their hearts (Jer. xii. 3), knows their secret devotions (Matt. vi. 6), knows their character, how much soever it is blackened and blemished by the reproaches of men, and will shortly make them and their way manifest before the world, to their immortal joy and honour. Let this cast a damp upon the security and jollity of sinners, that their way, though pleasant now, will perish at last.

In singing these verses, and praying over them, let us possess ourselves with a holy dread of the wicked man’s portion, and deprecate it with a firm and lively expectation of the judgment to come, and stir up ourselves to prepare for it, and with a holy care to approve ourselves to God in every thing, entreating his favour with our whole hearts.

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc3.xix.ii.html

 ”¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Visit Private Prayer List

Luckily, with the debut of watches replica in the market, most average Joe can satisfy their dreams and opt for one timepiece. These duplicated watches are definitely good alternatives for the genuine extravagant ones since they mirror the real counterparts to perfection. They offer the average Joe the chance to experience the luxury on par with beauty of the genuine ones.

Prior to the purchasing, you should make sure that you have found a trust worthy dealer. With the booming of watches in the market, some crafty watch dealers offer inferior quality ones to the customers to earn a quick profit. You should be rest assured that you are not spammed by such watch dealers.

With exquisite design, incomparable quality and wonderful function, these watches are always in the dream lists of most Joe. However, their astronomical price tags are still one of the prohibitive factors that most people cannot afford one. Hence, they stay still in the dream lists of common Joe’s.

In addition, enough research should be done on the fashion trend in the business of to ensure that you get the latest replica Rolex watches. As a matter of fact, the replica model would soon appear in the market following the debut of genuine counterpart. With a trendy and fashionable watch on your wrist, you will definitely be the focus of the public.

By verifying listers, Expatfrance makes every effort to maintain quality listings, however, you must still be aware of the tricks some will try to get away with.

Unfortuntley there are many people out there looking to SCAM potential tenants. It is easy to get excited when you receive an unexpected email or a “positive” response to your intitial enquiry.

Typically, when a lister provides a telephone number ( 06 or 01) you can be safe in the knowledge that they are legitimate (especially if you test the number). However, whenever you are only given an email address as a contact point, be cautious. We’ve copied below, one example of many scam emails circulating at the moment, (incidently, the following scamlord made a simple mistake, signing off as Ms, when she claims to be married).

Hello,
  
I received  your response concerning the AD I posted on Craig list. The  apartment is still available but presently I’m not around.. I did bid for  a portion of petroleuml and sometimes ago in england and  fortunately I won the bidding so I have to move quickly down to  london to have my company set up because I will still have to rebid  for it in the next 10 years..
 
 I came over here with my Husband, we both own the apartment when we got  married. As soon as we settled down here I had a thought of selling  the apartment so I had to look for an agent, after getting one, we got a  deal but later my husband advised against that. He said we may not be  able to win the bidding next time, in other to keep our head when we  return that we have to keep the apartment. I reasoned with him and  accepted his advise. So I contacted the agent back and requested for my keys and documents.
 
 Later we decided to have the apartment rent out, we would have given the  same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent  would want to handle it professionally and the occupant may not be  able to reason along with him later. If you notice, you will discover  that the price we are offering is far below standard price, this is enough for you to know that we are not after the rental fee but the  absolute care for the property. I know there is no way I can be sure  that you are the right person to live in the apartment because we won’t be able to see physical before sending you the keys and the documents to  occupy the space.
 
 But I just had a feeling that anyone who knows what it takes to put  the kind of structure down should know that maintaining a building is  mandatory, so if you belief you can take good care of the apartment and  handle it like yours then I will be more than happy to let you rent the apartment.
 
 Please if you are ready now to occupy the apartment kindly provide the
 information below for record purpose
 PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
 
 Full Name__________________________ ________________________ Home Phone
 ( ) ________________________
 Date of Birth_________________________
 
________
 Other Phone ( ) ___________________
 Current Address_______________________________Apt#________
 City__________________ State______ Zip________
 Reasons for Leaving____________________________Rent $__________Phone (
 ) ____________________________
 Are you married____________________________
 How many people will be living in the apartment____________________________
 How many people will be living in the apartment____________________________
 Do you have a pet____________________________
 Do you have a car____________________________
 Occupation____________________________
 Move In Date____________________________
  Amount :euro 550
  Best Regards
Ms. Melissa Johnson 

• Unsurprisingly, this scamlord will not be in Paris at the time you need to meet them. We have seen many variations of this, the further relocation scenarios being China and USA (one, we informed a scamlord that we are going to China on holiday and suggested meeting, we didn’t hear back). London, however, in reality is not too far, and most would travel the one hour journey on the Euro star to meet a potential tenant. You’d be surprised how many scamlords in London are too busy to even meet you for 3O minutes in their city (London)……………….. Reason: SCAM!
• Next, as always, you’re given a brief insight into who the scamlord is; their history, domestic situation etc, all intended to come across as a normal, honest person, in a sense, selling you the idea that all is legitimate. Reason: SCAM! Consider any legitimate landlord you’ve phoned in Paris, did they ever try to sell themselves or their apartment? Unlikely, we all know there is an undersupply of properties out there, so there really is no need.
• You are then be presented with a benefit, in this particular email they are claiming that the price of rent is cheaper (because no agent is involved). A 550 Euros per month, they are right, although they haven’t stated the size of the property (they usually do) the price is very attractive. Reason: SCAM!
• In a city known for the hoops Fsome landlords make tenants jump through, i.e, deposits, salary slips, guarantees etc, this scamlord doesn’t request any such ‘dossier’ , quite simply, all they ask for is; “that you can take good care of the apartment and  handle it like yours”. Reason: SCAM!
• The popular approach at the moment is for the keys of the apartment to be sent to you once you’ve transferred a deposit, whether it be Western Union or any other form of “secure payment”, needless to say; don’t entertain this thought. SCAM!

HOW TO VERIFY THE EMAILER

 Unlike our advice on http://expatfrance.wordpress.com/unique-rental-search-advice/ there is no need to lookup addresses on serach engines or social networking sites. The legitimacy of an emailer can be verified very quickly.

 You can check the IP address of the sender, usually the scamlord will claim to be in a particular country, remember,this email simply said they are moving to London, so we can presume they are either in France or England at this moment in time. However their IP address shows a different story… 

 et voila! we know it can be very difficult finding a rental in Paris, we too have been through the same thing as with are expats in france too, which is why we have set up this site for you all………. just remember, some things are too good to be true!

Guns are a very effective means of self defense, if you know how to use them. Of course there is the training and licensing to consider. If you don’t own a gun, purchasing one comes with its own challenges, as it should.  Shotguns would be primarily a home/self defense situation. If someone breaks into your home and threatens you and your family you are probably justified in its use. It will be messy and anyone behind or beside your target may also be harmed. No one should carry a handgun unless they possess the skill to use one and know that they have the nerve to use one when called upon to shoot, if not, Put the gun down!

Pepper or mace spray can be effective self defense weapon. You’ll need to know which direction to aim it. If the attacker is under the influence of alcohol or drugs it may not have the total desired affect. Be aware that there are places that these sprays are illegal.

Tasers have gained a lot of publicity lately. The problem with them is that you have to be in close proximity to use them. The full effect can take just a few seconds, but it could be enough time for a large attacker to take it from you and use it on you.

A kubotan is a handy innocent looking self defense weapon. It’s about six inches long, about ½ inch thick cylindrical that can by hooked to a key ring and help in your palm. It’s good for jabbing or scraping or leveraging bar holds for those trained in its use.

These weapons need to be at the ready when you need to use them. It may seem paranoid to always have it in your hand when walking, but they do you no good in the black hole of your purse or in your other jacket pocket.

Of course parts of your body can make excellent weapons, as well. Finger jabs, palm and elbow strikes, punches, knife hand strikes, knees and kicking can deter an attack. At the every least read up on how to execute these moves or better yet, take a self defense course or study a Martial Art for proper techniques.

Look around you and you’ll probably find some improvised self defense weapons. You don’t have to be MacGyver to find something to use for a weapon. If you’re in an office you could use a pencil/pen to jab with, a stapler to hit with, hot coffee to scald with. If you’re in a bathroom, you’ve got hair spray or spray cologne or cleaners to assault the eyes, scissors, razors or towel bars. In the kitchen you can use any flatware- knives most effectively, pots and pans to hit with, cans to throw, etc. 

Out in the garage there’s an entire smorgasbord of weapons: long handled rakes, shovels and hoes, tools like screwdrivers and hammers. Even out in the yard you’ve got lawn decorations, plant pots and let’s not forget the handful of dirt/sand/powder to throw in the eyes.

Improvised self defense weapons are everywhere, you just have to stay calm and use your imagination.

Visit SelfDefense-4-Women.com for more information.

 BEFORE YOU SIGN

Before a rental agreement is signed, a technical document detailing the property must be provided by the landlord, this should include property measurements and characteristics, such as; the number of bedrooms, inclusion of cellar, kitchen etc. Any applicable monthly charges must also be clearly stated, such charges could include, heated or consierge services. As a tenant you have the right, according to French Law, to request the removal of certain clauses within the contract. This is common whereby the landlord attempts the inclusion of open-house visits beyond an exceptable timescale (ie more than three hours per visit ) if an apartment is listed for sale. A landlord may not demand bank transfers or a signed wage order from his/her tenant.

Rental Agreement (contrat de location)

Your rental agreement/contract is governed by French Law, the contract addresses the terms and conditions the the rental agreement and conditions. The rental agreement acknowledges clearly the landlords key details; Name, Address etc., and the rental property’s characteristics, such as; noise level classification, communal area classification, rental price and agreed date of monthly payments. Please ensure the total amount of security deposit is also included within the rental agreement.

Termination clauses will be detailed, typically focusing on failure of prompt rental payment, failure of payment towards charges and failure to take out home insurance.

An inventory list is provided, detailing the fittings and fixtures along with the condition of each, and the property at the time of signing the contact. The inventory list compliments the rental agreement.

  Deposit (caution, depot de garantie)

 A deposit is taken with a refundable condition, the amount varies, but usually takes the form of, the value of 1 or 2 months rent. The deposit is paid on signing the contract, expect to pay the first month’s rent at the same time. It is not unusual to pay 2 to 3 months rent in total on signing the contract. Once the tenancy agreement comes to an end, the landlord will asses the property, fixtures and fittings, deduct the cost of repairs, replacements or restoration. The Landlord has up to two months to refund the deposit, minus deductions, Note. It is illegal, according to French law to hold back your monthly rent in lieu of the deposit. If you feel the landlord has deducted or accounted for extra deductions, refer to the inventory list that was signed and accompanied with the rental contract.

  Insurance

If household insurance is not included in your rental agreement, you are obliged, by law, to obtain a household insurance certificate. Proof of insurance may be demanded upon contract renewal, furthermore the landlord has the right to implement a clause within the contact, to terminate the contract on the event that the tenant fails to acquire such insurance. Household insurance can cover a percentage of capital and valuables, civil liberties, natural disaster, broken windows, theft and vandalism and legal costs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 Both parties are expected to reach an agreement on suitable condition of the apartment. A legal document, entitled, état des lieux entrant should be signed, detailing the condition of the apartment. This document along with the état des lieux sortant to assess will be used to determine necessary deductions at the end of the tenancy agreement. 

 When signing the état des lieux entrant , the tenant may request a dated receipt, specifying the rental amount along with charges.

    Fees

When in a shared building, and not covered by the landlord, the tenant is responsible to pay the monthly charges, such as, maintenance, lighting; water, sanitation and heating. Note. 5.5% TVA is levied from furnished rental apartments.

  Tax

Council tax, habitation tax is paid on an annual basis (unless covered by the landlord), the collection date of this tax is the 1^st of January, the amount payable varies according to type and locality of the property in discussion.

 OBLIGATIONS – Landlord

• To rent adequate housing conditions

OBLIGATIONS – Tenant

• Pay agreed rental amount in full and on agreed date as stipulated in rental agreement
• Proper utilisation of the property
• Cover necessary taxes and charges
• Be responsible for the condition of the property

RENTAL TERMINATION FROM TENANT

typically, a tenant wishing to end their contract prior to the date recorded in the rental agreement, they must give three months notice to the landlord. This must be presented in the form of registered letter, and in-turn, accompanied with a letter of acknowledgement.

RENTAL TERMINATION FROM LANDLORD

unless a tenant fails to pay the due rent, a landlord may not evict a tenant. If the landlord chooses to evict on this ground, again, a registered letter must be sent. The minimum notice a landlord is able to give a tenant is 6 months (before the end of contract). Exceptions apply for landlord’s over 60.