Moving to a new community can make it difficult to continue your sports routine at your usual gym. Fortunately, cancelling your gym membership doesn't have to be a headache. Follow Gentlemen du Déménagement's advice to cancel your gym membership easily and hassle-free!
Moving house: a legitimate reason to cancel your subscription
Although there is no legal definition of "legitimate reason", it is nevertheless accepted that this notion is used when an event deprives the individual of the normal use of a service. Moving house is definitely a legitimate reason. Whatever the status of your gym - independent or part of a network - the terms and conditions of your contract must stipulate the possibility of terminating your contract in the event of relocation. It's a good idea to know that a gym is obliged to provide you with essential information before you sign up, such as cancellation conditions, the price, the duration of the subscription, payment terms, the contact details of the mediator, and so on. Pay close attention!
Steps to cancel your gym membership
Like all cancellations, termination of your gym contract must be made by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. You'll also need to enclose proof that you've moved house, to demonstrate that this is not an improper termination.
Please note that notice periods may vary from one gym to another. In the case of a gym membership paid for in advance, any sums paid must be returned to you on a pro rata basis.
Obstacles to termination: How to overcome them
Even if the vast majority of gyms are rather accommodating, you may still come up against the reluctance of your gym manager. Some managers will not hesitate to exploit every opportunity to refuse termination on the grounds of relocation.
For example, a move that is not the result of redundancy or a transfer, a distance of less than 30 km between your new place of residence and the venue's address, or general terms and conditions that are not very explicit, are all arguments that can be put forward to refuse cancellation.
What can I do if I refuse to cancel my gym membership because I'm moving?
Don't hesitate to study the terms and conditions of your contract in detail to find possible loopholes: a lack of weight machines, a non-existent class, different opening hours, non-accessible changing rooms and any other advertised point that is not respected are, this time, arguments in your favor to cancel your fitness membership.
In the event of a dispute, you can also turn to the Commission des Clauses Abusives (CCA) for advice, based on recommendation no. 87-03. Although these are only recommendations, they have led to a number of cases concerning gyms. For example, the Commission des Clauses Abusives ruled that refusing to terminate a contract on the grounds that a move was not the result of a dismissal or transfer was an unfair contract term, and in Rennes in 2002, this was the subject of a precedent-setting case.
Finally, you should be aware that some insurers offer options linked to your comprehensive home insurance policy, whereby your gym membership will be reimbursed if you move more than 25 km from your old home.
Planning a move? Les Gentlemen du Déménagement are everywhere in France. Send us your request for a quote today .