A French homeowner named Mehdi has been left waiting for a year after paying a deposit to install shutters and mosquito nets in his property.
The customer paid an upfront deposit of 3,300 euros for the installation work, which was originally scheduled to begin in September 2025. However, after receiving the payment, the tradesperson went quiet and provided no further updates regarding when the project would start.
The case was highlighted by French television channel TF1 during its consumer rights reporting, which outlined the legal steps available to homeowners facing unresponsive contractors. Under French consumer guidelines, tradespeople are legally obligated to specify a date or clear timeframe for starting agreed work.
Legal options for delayed renovation work
According to the guidance provided in the report, customers caught in similar situations have three distinct legal pathways available to them. First, the homeowner can choose to accept the delay and wait for the contractor to provide a revised start date.
Alternatively, the client has the right to demand financial compensation from the contractor to cover the inconvenience and financial harm caused by the delay.
If the homeowner prefers to terminate the agreement and recover their money, they can send the contractor a formal legal notice, known as a mise en demeure. Sent by registered letter, this formal document officially orders the tradesperson to fulfill their obligation or issue a full refund of the deposit.
Consumer rights advice on French television
The reporting was produced by the video editorial team at TF1info as part of the regular consumer segment Le 13H à vos côtés. Broadcast during TF1's main 1:00 PM news bulletin, the feature regularly addresses everyday legal and financial dilemmas faced by viewers across France.
The program frequently examines consumer protection issues, ranging from recovering deposits after contract cancellations to resolving vehicle defects, flight booking errors, and disputed invoices.
