Si le préavis change, l’agence devra reporter l’état des lieux.

If the notice period changes, the agency will have to postpone the inventory inspection.

Breakdown of Si le préavis change, l’agence devra reporter l’état des lieux.

• si: if
• devoir: to have to
• changer: to change
• l'agence: the agency

Questions & Answers about Si le préavis change, l’agence devra reporter l’état des lieux.

Why is si followed by change and not a future form?

In French, after si meaning if, you normally do not use the future tense for a real condition.

So French says:

• Si le préavis change, ...
• literally: If the notice period changes, ...

Then the main clause can use the future:

• ..., l’agence devra ...

This is a very common pattern:

• Si tu viens, je serai content.
  = If you come, I’ll be happy.

So the structure here is:

• si + present tense
• future in the main clause

What does préavis mean here?

Préavis usually means notice or notice period.

In housing or employment contexts, it often refers to the amount of notice that must be given before leaving, ending a contract, moving out, and so on.

So in this sentence, le préavis is probably the required notice period connected to the rental situation.

A learner should be careful not to assume it always means a vague warning. In practical French, it often has a formal or legal sense.

Why is it l’agence instead of la agence?