Prevent a subscription from renewing for another year
A renewable contract extends without a signature, without an email from you, without anything. You just need to let the deadline pass. Hence the importance of knowing exactly when it falls.
How renewal works
A fixed-term contract that automatically renews at its term will continue your conditions and re-commit you for the same duration, often twelve months, as long as you have not terminated within the specified window.
What the provider must send you
The Chatel Law requires notice before the termination deadline, to allow you to refuse renewal. This notice is missing? You can then terminate without charge, whenever you wish, once the contract has been renewed. Keep this letter, or proof that it never arrived.
Find your due date
It is written in your general conditions and in your subscription area. Note it, with a reminder two or three weeks beforehand, as the notice period eats into some of the time.
Terminate within the window
The notice period defines the time when your request still blocks the renewal. To avoid missing it:
- note the due date upon subscription;
- subtract the notice period to get the deadline;
- set a reminder for this date;
- terminate online, keep the confirmation.
After renewal, all is not lost
A contract that has renewed for another year does not trap you if the Chatel information was missing: termination without charge remains open. Outside of this case, you must wait until the next due date or justify a legitimate reason to exit earlier.
A point on other contracts
Insurance, mutuals, and energy follow a similar logic, sometimes with termination possible at any time after one year of commitment. The principle remains the same: identify the due date, respect the notice period, keep a record.