Every landlord, landlady or landperson has regaled dinner party guests with their horror stories about tenants. And  doubly beware, because in France it's the tenant who rules the roost; the opposite to the power balance in the UK. Here at FR2DAY HQ we asked ourselves, do problem tenants have to be par for the course in the rental business? Or can they be out-witted?

We then spoke at length / had long lunches with our FR2DAY Expert Advisors and decided to draw up an exclusive list of do's and don'ts. This advice applies equally to the seasoned landpeople and also to those about to dip their toes in that choppy rental sea for the very first time. Brrrr...

FR2DAY'S exclusive top ten rental tips :

1) Never give tenants a key.

2) If possible avoid even giving tenants the name of the town where your rental property is located.

3) Sell your property, live in it yourself or just board it up.

4) Okay...if you absolutely still insist on renting out long-term ALWAYS rent your property fully furnished. This gives the tenants less squatting leverage than when they furnish it themselves (with upside down crates and the tasteful like).

5) Do not allow tenants to carry out and / or pay for any major improvements. The quality could be awful and yet you will be obliged to pay for it (in more ways than one).

6) Buy, and use to the letter, two copies of the standard rental ‘Bails' (Leases) from your local ‘Presse' (Newsagent). Always get ‘Meublé‘ (Furnished) versions.

7) Only agree to 1 year's rental at a time. Do not renew if you feel your tenants are getting 'too comfortable'.

8) Rent should be paid 1 month in advance. And never weaken and not take 2 months rent as a deposit.

9) Remember that it's nearly impossible to get problem tenants to leave a property between the months of October to May. It's too cold for them to live on the streets and the government would much prefer they stayed on for free at your place rather than taking responsibility. So if you foresee any difficulties seize the season and take action during the 'uncharitable' summer months.

10) Give at least 1 month's notice and send ‘une lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception' (registered post with receipt). Don't just send your friends round to er...talk to them.

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