Accommodation in France

The French rental market:

To find accommodation in France, keep patience! Because of the current housing crisis, rental prices are often high and competition among prospective tenants sometimes fierce, especially in big cities and especially in Paris. But no panic! There are many housing solutions tailored to your needs and all types of accommodation are available: room-sharing, rooms in private homes, studios, apartments or individual houses.   

Rental agreements in France:  

Because of many laws overprotecting tenants, French landlords require many safeguards before renting a property to an individual. In general, you will be asked to provide salary slips, bank statements, tax forms and, in some cases, your parents or a third person must put up bond for you. 

The most common practice for duration of a lease agreement in France is 3 years, although shorter or longer leases can be signed. The notice of termination of lease is of 3 months for the tenant, reduced to 1 month in case of dismissal or professional transfer. The rent is payable on a monthly basis. A deposit equivalent to two months' rent is required. The deposit must be refunded to the tenant by the end of the lease if no damage has occurred. 

Rents usually do not include water, gas, electricity or telephone. However, heating can be included in the rent. 

In France, an inventory and state of repair is compulsory prior and after your moving. If deductions are applied to your security deposit because of damage, the owner must clearly justify these amounts with invoices or quotes. Your presence is compulsory during the initial inventory. 

In cases of abuse or dispute with the landlord, contact the A.N.I.L. (National Agency for Information about Housing) at http://www.anil.org/. 

How to find accommodation in France?  

In France, you can start searching for accommodation in the press, on the Internet, through real-estate agencies or through words-of-mouths: 

The Press: 

In France, most local newspapers and major national newspapers offer real estate ads. Read ads in Le Figaro, in Le Monde or in local newspapers like La Voix du Nord, Ouest France, La Depeche du Midi or Nice-Matin. Most of these newspapers have online versions.   

 Useful links: 

Le Figaro - real estate 

http://www.lefigaro.fr/immobilier/

Le Monde - Real Estate 

http://www.immostreet.com/lemonde/ 

La Voix du Nord - Real Estate - Northern France 

http://www.lavoiximmo.com/ 

Ouest France - Real Estate - West of France 

http://www.ouestfrance-immo.com/ 

La Depeche du Midi - Property South West of France 

http://annonces.ladepeche.fr/ 

Nice Matin - Real Estate - South of France 

http://immo.nicematin.com/ 

L'Est Republican - real estate - Eastern France 

http://immo.estrepublicain.fr/ 

Paru vendu - real estate - all France 

http://www.paruvendu.fr/ 

Real estate agencies: 

There are real estate agencies in almost all French cities. Most offer listings of properties for sale or for rent. They mediate between landlords and tenants. If you find accommodation through a real estate agency, a finder's fee of one month's rent applies. Most French real estate agencies are now online. 

 Useful links: 

Century 21 - France 

http://en.century21.fr/

Immostreet - France 

http://www.immostreet.co.uk/ 

Laforet Immobilier - France 

http://english.laforet.com/

Guy Hoquet Real Estate - France 

http://www.guy-hoquet.com/

Orpi - properties fore sale

http://www.orpirealestate.com/ 

Room sharing:  

France roommate - room sharing 

http://www.colocationfrance.fr/ 

A partager - flat sharing in Paris and throughout France 

http://www.appartager.com/ 
 

Directly from owners: 

You can rent accommodation in France directly from owners with no real estate agent in between. 

 Useful  Link: 

De particulier à particulier

http://www.pap.fr/immobilier/

Temporary accommodation: 

Before finding a home, you can opt for a temporary accommodation in a youth hostel or in a residential hotel. Prices are competitive with often sliding scale prices depending on the duration of your stay. 

 Useful links: 

Youth Hostels United Federation  

http://www.fuaj.org/ 

Hi Hostels - Hostels in France 

http://www.hihostels.com/

Citadines - residential hotel 

http://www.citadines.com/

Appart'city - residential hotel

http://www.appartcity.com/

 

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