Shorter-term rental requirements

I wouldn't worry if the lease states as you say. It generally relates to minor repairs or damage caused by the tenant. "des réparations locatives définies par décret au Conseil d’Etat, sauf si elles sont occasionnées par vétusté, malfaçon, vice de construction, cas fortuit ou de force majeure" would simply mean anything that is legislated at the time. See attached link for current tenant responsibilities re repairs and maintenance.

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F31697

The really important thing is to ensure that you undertake a full état des lieux with the landlord when you take up the lease, recording everything that could be considered damage, vétusté or anything that requires repair by the landlord (photos are an excellent idea), that is duly signed by both yourself and the landlord. You also need to ensure that a full état des lieux is completed, agreed and signed by yourself and the landlord when you depart. The état des lieux would normally take several hours and should not be rushed.

travel_phil said:

Thanks a lot, EH! But wow, do you really mean several hours for a walk-through? This is a small 1br apartment.

I guess what we are wondering about is what if something breaks that still works when we move in but breaks later (wear and tear)...

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It's NOT a walk-through, it's a detailed inspection and the paperwork has to be properly completed and signed by both parties. You check all the windows and doors, blinds, flooring, furniiture and pay attention to such things as stains, scratches, etc plus signs of wear. Otherwise you can find yourself paying out on all sorts of things when you leave. If some needs fixing, replacing etc by the landlord, that needs to be included (ideally with a timeframe) on the forms and properly signed off. Clearly this has to be done once the property has been vacated by the previous tenant and most commonly is done the day before moving in.

If you are talking about, say, a refrigerator that is functioning when you take the apartment, responsibility would likely depend on aga and the report of the serviceman. In such circumstances, you could for example contact the landlord and let them know, agree re who calls the serviceman (remembering that the appliance could still be under warranty) and take it from there. If it's a result of your negligence, then you could expect to pay.

EverHopeful wrote : The really important thing is to ensure that you undertake a full état des lieux with the landlord when you take up the lease, recording everything that could be considered damage, vétusté or anything that requires repair by the landlord (photos are an excellent idea), that is duly signed by both yourself and the landlord. You also need to ensure that a full état des lieux is completed, agreed and signed by yourself and the landlord when you depart. The état des lieux would normally take several hours and should not be rushed.

To which Travel_Phil replied : But wow, do you really mean several hours for a walk-through? This is a small 1br apartment.

The point EH is making is really valid in that an état des lieux is not a walk-through. It is a minutely detailed sweep of everything, absolutely everything.
My super French neighbours made me aware of how careful you need to be .. for example : some of the floor tiles in our salon had small chips on the edge and I wanted these noted on the list so that I was not accused of having chipped them when we left.
The bathroom basin was slightly cracked so I refused to accept that unless it was replaced. It was, then I agreed to sign that it was fine.
This is why the E des L 'entrant' is v important or you can find you have a big bill from the E des L 'sortant' when you leave.

Sue