The check is a means of payment still very widespread in France, it allows you to pay certain expenses of daily life or even bills. However, it is not without risks and for security reasons, the period of validity of a check is limited in time. But how long is a check valid? The validity period of a check is 1 year. Thus, beyond one year, the validity of a bank check in France will end and it is then no longer possible to cash it in your account. However, to be completely exhaustive, it should be specified that a period of presentation of the check is added to that of validity. This is the time allowed for the cashing of the check and it varies according to the place of issue from 8 to 70 days. The monetary and financial code recalls this overall delay as follows:
- If the check is issued in France, the validity of the bank check is 1 year and 8 days;
- If the check is issued in the DOM-TOM and payable in France, the period of validity of a bank check is 1 year and 30 days;
- If the check is issued in a European country, the check will be valid for 1 year and 20 days;
- If the check is issued in a country outside Europe, the validity of a check is 1 year and 70 days.
What is the starting point of the validity period of an uncashed cheque? The period of one year runs from the date of issue indicated on the check by the debtor. If you have received a check to be cashed, you must scrupulously refer to the issue date indicated on your check to calculate the time you have left to cash it.
The disadvantage of checks is that many of them are refused in shops or a maximum amount may be imposed. This is why the credit card remains the essential means of payment. Now with contactless payment, you can make your everyday purchases in seconds! Be aware that online banks offer very attractive offers such as free bank cards! If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to use our comparator dedicated to 11 online banks.
Expired check what to do?
When you receive a check, it’s a good idea to cash it quickly. Indeed, the period of validity of an uncashed check is one year. It seems like a lot, but it can happen that for certain reasons, you do not go to the bank to deposit it: forgetfulness, request from the debtor for a delay before cashing, loss of the check, etc.
What to do when you realize that the validity date of the check has passed? It’s a safe bet that the bank will refuse your check because the deadline is prescribed. If you still try to deposit it, be aware that the bank is entitled to apply fees for rejection of collection due to the non-validity of a bank check. Just as correcting the issue date yourself in order to change the validity of a check is a very bad idea! The best solution is therefore to ask the issuer of the check to send you a new one. Indeed, the delay attributed to the payment of a debt is not linked to the lifespan of a cheque. If this person has contracted a promise to pay, he remains bound by it regardless of the period of validity of a cheque. If your debtor refuses to honor his debt by sending you a new check, you will then have to contact a bailiff.
Be aware that asking your debtor to backdate his check in order to delay the validity period of a bank check is an offense. You are liable to a fine of up to 6% of the amount of the check.
If you are the issuer of an expired check, this obligation also applies to you: your creditor is fully entitled to ask you to issue a new check. He will then have a period of one year to cash your new check, be sure to fund your account accordingly so as not to be in default of payment.
What is the validity of a Catholic check?
Catholic checks allow individuals to make purchases in certain partner brands. These vouchers are generally offered by works councils, local authorities, and associations to their staff.
The amount of a Cadhoc check is €15 and a Cadhoc checkbook contains between 2 and 32 depending on the order. The period of validity of a check is one year, both for the paper medium and for the Catholic card. You have an expired Cadhoc check, what should you do? Unfortunately, once the validity time of a Cadhoc check has passed, there is nothing more to do, it becomes unusable.
In order not to lose the benefit of your Cadhoc vouchers, it is advisable to use them before their expiry date or to proceed to exchange with your company if possible.
Validity of deposit check: what you need to know
The delivery of a deposit check to the owner is one of the essential formalities for the rental of a property. A deposit check is intended to cover the owner in the event of damage to the rental accommodation. The amount of the deposit check cannot exceed 2 months’ rent excluding charges for furnished accommodation and 1 month’s rent for empty accommodation. The period of validity of a deposit check is identical to that of a classic check, ie 1 year. The owner can cash it as soon as the lease contract is signed but must return your deposit to you within one month after the exit inventory if no damage is observed. In case of delay in the return of your deposit, you are entitled to request the payment of penalties.
Subject to the necessary proof, what can the owner deduct from your deposit?
- The number of late rents or charges;
- The number of repairs carried out by the owner during the rental;
- The number of repairs following the damage noted during the exit inventory.
The security deposit check is not mandatory, so if your landlord requires it, make sure it is mentioned in your rental contract. This will allow you to have proof of the payment of your deposit by check and of its validity. Thus, in the case of a seasonal rental, it is rare for the owner to cash the deposit check. This is then returned upon departure.