Housing

If you have trouble locating a room in a student residence or hostel, you may want to turn to a real-estate agency or individual property owner. You can rent an apartment for yourself alone or find a room in an apartment or house.

Private apartments and shared rentals

Many students choose to rent an apartment. To find notices of apartments offered by real-estate agencies, check Se Loger. To rent an apartment from an individual property owner (without going through an agency), check the listings on Le Bon Coin, there is also a category for shared rentals (colocation).

Gathering your documentation

The list of documents you’ll need will depend on the type of housing you’ve chosen and the owner’s requirements, but, generally, you should be prepared to provide copies of the following:

  • Your passport,
  • Your student card and proof of enrollment for the current year,
  • A letter from your guarantor and proof of the guarantor’s identity.

Finding a guarantor

A guarantor is someone who provides security on your behalf, that is, someone who agrees to pay your rent in the event you can no longer do so. In France, nearly everyone seeking to rent an apartment, whether French or foreign, is asked to name a guarantor.

Your guarantor must be French. If you don’t have one, other solutions are possible, thanks to the VISALE system, which provides rental guarantees if you are renting an apartment or room in a university residence. We advise you to begin the VISALE process as soon as possible even before arriving in France. You don’t have to know your address in France to obtain a certificate of eligibility for VISALE (known as a “VISALE visa”).

How to read real-estate ads

The number of rooms mentioned in advertisements refers to the amount of “living space” (e.g., bedroom, living room, dining room); it does not include the kitchen, bathroom, or hallways. For example, deux pièces means that the unit has a bedroom and a living room, as well as a kitchen and bathroom.

Here are some of the most common phrases and abbreviations:

  • Studio: a single room with a kitchenette
  • T2 or F2: a deux pièces, i.e., a bedroom and a living room, as well as a kitchen and bathroom
  • T3 or F3: trois pièces—a three-room apartment (usually indicating two bedrooms)
  • Meublé : furnished rentals
  • Non meublé : unfurnished rentals
  • SdB: bathroom with tub
  • Salle d’eau: bathroom with shower
  • Appt.: apartment
  • RdC: ground floor, street level
  • Asc.: elevator
  • TBE: very good condition
  • CC: charges included. “Charges” cover the costs of maintaining the building (exterior, grounds, common areas) and providing common services (e.g., collecting trash).

Signing the lease or rental agreement

Life in your new lodgings begins when you and the property owner sign a lease or rental agreement—a bail or contrat de location—setting forth the conditions under which you have the right to occupy the unit. The following are among the provisions in the rental agreement:

  • The amount of the rent and charges (if charges are assessed).
  • The amount of the security deposit. The security deposit is a sum that your landlord may require you to advance to cover any damage to the property that may occur during your tenancy. The amount is generally equal to a month’s rent (by law, it cannot be higher), except if the apartment is furnished, then the amount is twice the month’s rent. The security deposit will be refunded to you if you leave the unit in the same condition in which you found it when you moved in.
  • The notice period. If you decide to leave your lodging, you must notify your landlord in advance—generally, a month in advance. For example, if you plan to leave on July 1, you must give notice no later than June 1, and you must do it by registered mail with confirmation of receipt.

You should be prepared to pay the first month’s rent and security deposit upon signing the rental agreement.

Agreeing on the condition of the premises

Now that you’ve signed your rental agreement, just one step remains before you get your keys. You and your landlord must inspect the premises. This very important step ensures that you and your landlord are in agreement about the condition of your unit at the time you take possession of it.

Together you will inspect every room and record your observations in a document entitled “État des lieux” (condition of the premises), which you both will sign. The same process will be repeated when you leave the apartment to discover whether any damage occurred during your tenancy.

Property insurance

You are strongly advised to take out property insurance (assurance habitation) on your unit. This will protect you against unexpected events (such as water damage or burglary). You can obtain property insurance from a bank or insurance agency, it will also give you a certificate of liability insurance (needed for school enrollment).

Utilities (gas and electric)

If you rent an apartment on the private real-estate market, you will be responsible for opening an account with providers of electricity and gas. Many energy providers operate in France. Some are traditional utilities (EDF, ENGIE); others have emerged more recently with the opening of the market to competition (Direct Energie, Total Spring, Eni, and Planète Oui, among others). Do not hesitate to compare their offers.

If you rent a room in a university residence, the cost of electricity and gas will probably be included in your rent. In this case, you will not be required to contact providers to obtain service.

Internet: this section will be described under phone providers

Assistance from the CAF

Here’s some good news! You may qualify for a rent subsidy. If you do, the CAF (France’s family assistance fund) will pay you a subsidy under one of two national programs (APL, Aide Personnalisée au Logement). Many international students already benefit from these programs. If you came to France with a visa, you must hold the VLS-TS (long-stay visa and residency permit) in order to qualify for CAF assistance.

Everything can be done online. Don’t hesitate to do an online simulation to learn whether you’re eligible and find out how much assistance you might be able to receive each month.

Moreover, PhD student are eligible to “Prime d’activité” which complete your salary.

For more informations about getting ready to leave in France, check these websites :