During a rental move, the question of light bulbs consistently arises at the time of the exit inventory. Should they be left, taken, or does it depend on what was noted at the entry? The answer is less about an explicit legal obligation and more about the legal qualification of the item and what the inventory mentions.
Bulb, socket, fixture: what the law qualifies differently
The confusion often comes from mixing three distinct elements in the “lighting” category. Their legal status is not the same, and it is this distinction that resolves most disputes.
| Element | Legal Qualification | Can be taken by the tenant? |
|---|---|---|
| Bulb | Furniture (consumable) | Yes, unless otherwise stated in the entry inventory |
| Socket | Building (electrical installation) | No, part of the housing |
| Recessed fixture (ceiling light, spotlight) | Building by destination | No, must remain in place |
| Fixture installed by the tenant (lamp, added pendant) | Furniture | Yes, it is their property |
According to the Journal de l’Agence, the bulb is a piece of furniture that can be unscrewed without causing damage, while the socket is part of the electrical installation and follows the building’s regime. This distinction, used in real estate sales, applies by analogy to rentals.
The question of whether light bulbs should be left in a rental thus rests on a simple principle: a consumable belongs to the one who purchased it. Conversely, everything that is fixed to the electrical installation remains in the housing.
Entry inventory and bulbs: the decisive piece in case of dispute
The legal framework does not explicitly mention bulbs. It is the inventory that serves as a reference. If the entry document notes the presence of functional bulbs in each room, the tenant must return the housing in a comparable state.
The entry inventory determines what the tenant must return upon exit. A housing unit received with bulbs in all sockets must logically be returned in the same configuration.
What inventories rarely mention
The practical problem is that most inventories do not detail the number or type of bulbs per room. They note “functional lighting” or “electrical installation in good condition,” without further precision.
- If the entry inventory mentions present and functional bulbs, the outgoing tenant must leave them in working condition
- If no mention appears, the landlord cannot demand their presence upon exit
- If the tenant has replaced standard bulbs with LEDs during the lease, they can take their LEDs and replace them with bulbs equivalent to the originals
In the absence of precision in the inventory, the dispute is difficult to resolve for the landlord. This is why more and more inventory models include a line dedicated to lighting by room.
Tenant’s routine maintenance: where does responsibility end?
Decree 87-712 lists the repairs for which the tenant is responsible. Replacing bulbs during the lease is part of this, just like faucet seals or hood filters. It is routine maintenance.
This maintenance obligation means that the tenant must keep the lighting functional throughout the lease. A burnt-out bulb that is not replaced can be noted during a visit or a housing decency check.
Routine maintenance and return: two distinct obligations
Keeping bulbs in good condition during the lease and leaving them upon exit are two different things. The former is a clear legal obligation. The latter depends solely on the entry inventory.
A tenant who has diligently replaced each burnt-out bulb over three years of leasing is not required to gift their consumables to the landlord. Bulbs remain the property of the one who purchased them.
Withholding from the security deposit for missing bulbs: is it legal?
This is the scenario that generates the most friction. The landlord notes the absence of bulbs upon exit and withholds an amount from the security deposit. This withholding is justifiable only if two conditions are met simultaneously.
- The entry inventory explicitly mentioned the presence of functional bulbs
- The exit inventory notes their absence or malfunction
- The landlord can provide proof of the replacement cost
Without a precise entry inventory, the withholding is contestable. Departmental conciliation commissions regularly handle this type of disagreement, and the absence of mention at entry systematically works in favor of the tenant.
The amount at stake remains modest (a few euros per bulb), but the principle matters. A landlord who withholds an amount without justification risks having to return the deposit plus late penalties if the tenant contests within the deadlines.
Best practices to avoid any disputes upon exit
Prevention comes from rigorous documentation, both from the tenant’s and landlord’s sides. During the entry inventory, it is useful to note the number of bulbs present per room and their type (LED, halogen, compact fluorescent). Photographing the fixtures with the bulbs in place serves as additional proof.
Upon exit, the most pragmatic gesture is to leave a functional bulb in each socket, even if nothing formally requires it. The cost is negligible, and it removes a source of friction during the key handover.
The real issue goes beyond bulbs: a detailed entry inventory protects both parties regarding all consumables in the housing, from seals to switches. Investing five more minutes at entry avoids weeks of registered mail upon exit.