District heating, heating oil or bottled gas in France: what are my rights?
Not every home is on the gas grid. District heating, heating oil and LPG have their own rules, and often a different body handles complaints.
📜 The rules in France
Heating without the gas grid
The Médiateur national de l'énergie also handles disputes about bottled or tank LPG, heating oil, wood and district heating (réseaux de chaleur), not only electricity and gas. First complain in writing to the company.
- LPG tank (propane) contracts may last at most 5 years (Code de la consommation L224-19). Price changes must be notified in writing at least one month ahead, and the tank must be removed within 3 months after the contract ends (L224-23). (energie-info.fr)
- If you refuse a price change on an LPG contract, you can end it within 3 months after the new terms apply. Since 2018, offers must follow a standard presentation so you can compare them. (energie-info.fr)
🪜 Step by step
- Know what heats your homeDistrict heating from a network, oil or LPG from a tank, or bottled gas. The rules differ for each.
- Check the rules for FranceSee below who supervises heat and fuel suppliers and what they must tell you about prices.
- Complain in writing firstWrite to the heat or fuel supplier with your bill and what you want changed. Keep a copy.
- Escalate to the right bodyIf that does not help, go to the body named below.
📇 Who to contact
❓ Questions
Can I leave district heating?
That depends on the network and the rules in France. Contracts are often long; check the notice terms.
Are heating oil prices regulated?
Usually not; you compare offers. Where there is an official price or cap, it is shown on this page.
Who checks the safety of LPG tanks and bottles?
The supplier and the installer have safety duties. If you smell gas, leave at once and call the emergency number from outside.
📎 Sources
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