I was living in a common-law relationship in an apartment rented solely in my partner’s name. Unfortunately, she has just passed away. Can I have the lease transferred to my name?

Yes, subject to conditions. Article 14 of Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 provides that, in the event of the tenant’s death, the lease is transferred in particular “to the de facto partner who had been living with [the tenant] for at least one year at the date of death.” A de facto union is a continuous, stable relationship that is publicly acknowledged.