The purpose of the Rent Reference Index (IRL) is to provide tenants with a guarantee that rents will rise in relation to trends in purchasing power, and to provide lessors with a guarantee of a high level of maintenance and not dissuade them from investing in rental housing.

Article 9 of Law no. 2008-111 of 8 February 2008 for purchasing power amended the rent reference created by article 35 of the Law 2005-841 of 26 July 2005 relating to the development of personal services and including a variety of measures to promote social cohesion.

The Rent Reference Index replaces the rent reference index that was previously calculated as a reference for rent reviews relating to current leases in private housing stock.

Rent reference index - 2005 law

Computation of rent reference indices