Renting an Apartment in Abidjan: Rules, Deposit and Notice in Côte d'Ivoire

What the Code of Construction and Housing says

In Côte d'Ivoire, renting an apartment in Abidjan falls under the Code of Construction and Housing, established by Law No. 2019-576 of 26 June 2019. This nationwide statute repeals the former Law No. 77-995 of 18 December 1977 and sets binding rules for the landlord-tenant relationship. The lease must be written, advance payments and security deposits are capped, notice is set at three months, and the rent is frozen for three years. Exceeding the legal caps on advance and deposit is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of XOF 200,000.

Written lease and payment caps

The Code states that a residential lease must be written. It may be for a fixed or an indefinite term and must be registered with the tax administration. The landlord must hand the tenant a copy of the registration deed within thirty days of completion. A verbal agreement is not sufficient. Tax registration provides mutual protection: it allows the tenant to prove residence and the landlord to secure rental income. Keep the copy handed to you carefully, as it will be required for any administrative procedure or in the event of a dispute. Without a written contract, the tenant has no proof of the agreed rent, duration, or mutual obligations.

The law strictly limits the sums that can be demanded on entry. The landlord may not require more than two months' rent in advance. The security deposit, commonly called caution, may not exceed two months' rent. It bears no interest. It must be refunded within one month of the return of the keys, minus any justified amounts owed by the tenant, such as unpaid rent or damage. Demanding more is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of XOF 200,000.

When a security deposit is stipulated, a written, contradictory inventory of fixtures is mandatory on entry and on exit. An intermediate inventory may also be carried out during the lease to check that the tenant is keeping the premises in good condition. The tenant may usefully supplement this document with dated photographs of the premises, in order to secure the full refund of the deposit when the keys are returned.

Notice, termination and rent stability

A tenant may terminate the lease by giving three months' written notice to the landlord for legitimate reasons. The landlord may give notice with the same three-month period if he proves he intends to retake the apartment for his own use or for the use of an ascendant, descendant, or relative up to the third degree. The termination letter must be in writing, state the grounds, and be served by a commissioner for justice, by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt, by hand delivery against receipt, or by email if the parties have so agreed. The tenant or landlord must ensure that the acknowledgment of receipt or hand-delivery receipt is kept in order to date the start of the period with certainty and avoid any dispute over the effective date of vacation or repossession.

Any rent increase within three years of the start or renewal of the lease is deemed not to have occurred. The rent is therefore stable for that period, unless the contract originally included an indexation clause. After that period, any revision must follow the contractual terms. Eviction is only possible under an enforceable court decision served by a bailiff. Major repairs, including those to the roof, load-bearing walls, main piping, and embedded electrical installations, are the landlord's responsibility. The tenant covers routine maintenance.

Checks before signing in Abidjan

Before paying anything, ask to see the land title or the Arrêté de Concession Définitive (ACD). Check that the signatory's identity matches the document. If the owner is represented by a third party, demand an authenticated or notarized power of attorney. Insist on a written lease and its tax registration. Keep all payment receipts.

Take the time to read the entire contract before signing, including the annexed clauses relating to service charges, routine maintenance and any indexation. If a clause seems ambiguous, request a written explanation or an initialed amendment in the deed, so that the document accurately reflects the agreed terms.

If you use a real estate agency, ask for a receipt for every payment. Agency fees are negotiable: request a written quote before committing. In a condominium, ask whether collective charges apply and check that they are listed in the contract.

Visit the apartment with the landlord or agent and check that water, electricity, sanitation, and locks work. Beware of middlemen who charge for viewings or ask for cash payments without a receipt. The presence of the landlord or agent during the visit also makes it possible to obtain immediate clarification on the condominium rules, the management of common areas and the frequency of maintenance of collective equipment.

Frequently asked questions

• Can a landlord ask for more than two months' advance or deposit? No. The Code caps each at two months' rent. Any excess is a criminal offense punishable by a XOF 200,000 fine.
• Can the landlord raise the rent every year? No. Any increase within three years is void. Only an indexation clause in the original contract can override this.
• Is a verbal lease valid in Côte d'Ivoire? No. A residential lease must be written and registered. Without it, the tenant has no evidence of the agreed terms.
• How long does the landlord have to return the deposit? One month from the date the keys are returned, minus justified deductions for damage or arrears.
• Can a landlord evict without a court order? No. Eviction requires an enforceable court decision and service by a bailiff. Forced eviction is unlawful.
• Is an inventory of fixtures mandatory? Yes, whenever a security deposit is provided for in the contract. It must be written, contradictory, and carried out on entry and exit.

For any specific situation or dispute, it is advisable to seek the advice of a notary or a lawyer registered with the Côte d'Ivoire bar in order to adapt these principles to your case. These answers are based on articles 414 to 455 of the Code of Construction and Housing, on the servicepublic.gouv.ci portal and on assnat.ci.

Sources

• servicepublic.gouv.ci : landlord and tenant obligations, XOF 200,000 fine, lease registration formalities in Côte d'Ivoire, accessed 2026-10-04.
• assnat.ci : adoption of the housing lease bill, repeal of the 1977 law, two-month cap on advance and deposit, accessed 2026-10-04.
• copro.africa, Article 414 : written lease, fixed or indefinite term, tax registration, transcription of the Code of Construction and Housing, accessed 2026-10-04.
• copro.africa, Article 415 : two-month advance cap, tax offense, accessed 2026-10-04.
• copro.africa, Article 416 : security deposit capped at two months, inventory of fixtures, one-month refund deadline, accessed 2026-10-04.
• copro.africa, Article 442 : three-month notice and termination, grounds and forms of notification, accessed 2026-10-04.
• copro.africa, Article 455 : rent freeze for three years, accessed 2026-10-04.
• Official PDF, Law No. 2019-576 : definitions and scope of the Code of Construction and Housing, accessed 2026-10-04.