SEARCHING FOR HOUSING ON YOUR OWN

Find housing on your own in Paris, while difficult, is not impossible. Students who wish to find their housing should be aware of the following:

Probably the most forbidding part of looking for apartment rentals in Paris is the financial ‘dossier’ (file) landlords and agents expect you to have. A ‘good dossier’ contains papers signed by a ‘garant’, that is, someone who agrees to be financially responsible for your rent if you don’t pay it. This person, if not French, should, at least, live in France. However, some agencies will accept a student’s parents as garant. You will need a letter from the garant’s bank, as well as other financial statements (i.e., copies of garant’s pay slips, tax returns, bank statements, etc.)

Most lease agreements (bail) for furnished apartments are made for one year, however, the contract can be broken with one month's advanced move-out notice (be sure to read your lease to verify this), given in writing and sent by registered mail.

The standard security deposit (caution) consists of one month’s rent (a recent law changed this from two months, but it is not always observed) which, by law, may be returned up to two months after the student's departure.

When you move in (and out), an inventory meeting (état des lieux) must be scheduled and a form filled out and signed by the student and landlord. The inventory is for your mutual protection and will be used to determine if any damages will be deducted from your security deposit upon departure.

You can also search on the internet as there are many useful ‘how to’ guides with information on renting housing in Paris.

DOCUMENTS TO PROVIDE

When visiting a flat/room that interests you, take the following documents with you, if you have them these documents should be provided for yourself and your flatmate or partner if you are moving in together, and for your guarantor(s).

• a photocopy of your identity papers (identity card, passport),

• three most recent pay slips (if you are employed) or those of your guarantor,

• proof of address for your guarantor (electricity bill, tax return, etc.)

Other documents that may also be requested: your most recent tax notice or that of your guarantor, your student card or a certificate of university attendance, if you are already enrolled (that of the previous year if you do not yet have the new ones),  your residence permit, if you have one,  a photocopy of your guarantor’s identity papers, a certificate from your guarantor, a photocopy of property tax or tax notice if your guarantor owns a property, your R.I.B (relevé d’identité bancaire – bank details), rent receipts from the last flat your rented.

A bank guarantee: If a landlord is not satisfied with the documents provided, they may ask for a French bank guarantee. The tenant places the equivalent rental sum for the duration of the lease agreement, into a blocked (escrow) account. For this service, most French banks charge between 0.5% and 3% of the frozen amount, as well as a flat administrative fee, of between €100 and €200 (these charges are sometimes negotiable). The frozen money is then invested and can earn interest as usual.

Please note that this amount is independent of paying rent each month. 

 USEFUL DOCUMENTS

• Move-In-Out Check List Form (Etat des Lieux) for Apartment.pdf

• Move-In-Out Check List Form (Etat des Lieux) for Independent Rooms.pdf

• Move-In-Out Check List Form (Etat des Lieux) for Studio.pdf

• Move-In-Out Check List Form (Etat des Lieux) for Home Stays.pdf

• Rent receipt template.pdf

• Security deposit receipt template.pdf

• Moving out checklist.pdf

• Moving out letter.pdf

• French housing assistance information (CAF).pdf

Are you renting an apartment in Paris and you are interested in knowing who is responsible for any damage or repair in your accommodation? The following documents explain the financial responsibilities of the tenant and the landlord.

• Bathroom - Maintenance & Repair.pdf

• Entrance - Maintenance & Repairs.pdf

• Kitchen - Maintenance & Repairs.pdf

Are you planning on moving into a new apartment and you want to know if the new accommodation is suitable to be rented? This document explains what is a decent accommodation and the conditions it has to satisfy in order to be rented.

• What is a decent accommodation.pdf