I am a landlord and my tenants have given notice to vacate. In the exit inventory (état des lieux de sortie), I recorded several damages caused by them. However, they refused to sign the document. What can I do?

By law, the entry and exit inventories must be drawn up jointly and amicably by the parties or by a representative (Article 3-2, paragraph 1 of Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989). If this is not possible, you may request a commissaire de justice (formerly known as a bailiff) to carry out the inventory. Both you and the tenant must be notified at least seven days in advance by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. The cost of this procedure is shared equally between the landlord and the tenant (Article 3-2, paragraph 2 of the same law).