Is the VISALE guarantee paid for?

No. VISALE is an entirely free scheme from Action Logement (the French joint employer-funded housing body), for neither the tenant nor the landlord. It acts as guarantor and reimburses unpaid rent within the set limits.

Does VISALE replace a guarantor?

Yes: for an eligible tenant, VISALE stands in for a personal guarantor. The landlord is compensated for unpaid rent and charges up to the scheme’s ceiling and number of monthly payments.

Can a landlord refuse VISALE?

A landlord is not obliged to accept VISALE, but refusing it without reason turns away a candidate backed by a solvent guarantee. The guarantee contract must be created on the landlord’s side for the cover to apply.

Can VISALE be combined with rent-default insurance?

As a rule no: the landlord chooses between VISALE, a GLI (rent-default insurance) or a personal guarantor. Combining VISALE and GLI on the same lease is generally not accepted by insurers.

The VISALE guarantee: free rent protection to secure your income

Updated on July 16, 2026 · 6 min read

VISALE is a free guarantee offered by Action Logement (the French joint employer-funded housing body): it stands as guarantor for an eligible tenant and reimburses the landlord for unpaid rent and charges, within the limits of the scheme. For the landlord it is protection with no premium to pay, an alternative to a personal guarantor and to rent-default insurance. You still need to check the tenant's eligibility and follow the approval procedure.

What VISALE is

VISALE (Visa pour le Logement et l’Emploi, a housing and employment visa) is a free joint guarantee funded by Action Logement (the French joint employer-funded housing body). The eligible tenant obtains a visa before signing the lease; once the guarantee contract is validated, the landlord is covered against unpaid rent. No contribution is required, from either the tenant or the landlord.

Which tenants are eligible

VISALE primarily targets profiles that struggle to secure a conventional guarantor:

people under 31, whatever their situation;
employees over 30 at the start of a contract or in a precarious situation (fixed-term contract, probation period, job relocation);
households supported under a bail mobilité (mobility lease);
subject to income conditions, with the rent not exceeding a ceiling set by the scheme.

What VISALE covers for the landlord

VISALE guarantees unpaid rent and charges for the duration of the lease, up to a maximum number of monthly payments and a rent ceiling. For a main residence, certain rental damage may also be covered. The landlord is compensated by Action Logement (the French joint employer-funded housing body), which then seeks repayment from the tenant.

The process: visa then guarantee contract

The tenant applies for their VISALE visa online before signing. The landlord then creates an account, enters the lease and obtains the guarantee contract: it is this document, validated before or at the latest shortly after signing, that activates the guarantee. Without a registered guarantee contract, the cover is not secured.

VISALE, a personal guarantor or GLI?

VISALE is free and replaces a personal guarantor, but imposes ceilings and requires tenant eligibility. Rent-default insurance (GLI, garantie loyers impayés) is paid for (with a deductible premium) and often broader, but requires a solvent tenant. A personal guarantor remains possible, with no scheme ceiling, but depends on the guarantor’s solvency. As a rule the three cannot be combined freely.

Frequently asked questions

Is the VISALE guarantee paid for?: No. VISALE is an entirely free scheme from Action Logement (the French joint employer-funded housing body), for neither the tenant nor the landlord. It acts as guarantor and reimburses unpaid rent within the set limits.
Does VISALE replace a guarantor?: Yes: for an eligible tenant, VISALE stands in for a personal guarantor. The landlord is compensated for unpaid rent and charges up to the scheme’s ceiling and number of monthly payments.
Can a landlord refuse VISALE?: A landlord is not obliged to accept VISALE, but refusing it without reason turns away a candidate backed by a solvent guarantee. The guarantee contract must be created on the landlord’s side for the cover to apply.
Can VISALE be combined with rent-default insurance?: As a rule no: the landlord chooses between VISALE, a GLI (rent-default insurance) or a personal guarantor. Combining VISALE and GLI on the same lease is generally not accepted by insurers.