Finding a Rental Apartment in Paris, France
A Step by Step Guide to Renting a Parisian Place
Oct 2, 2009
The French make living in Paris look easy – sitting on sidewalks, sipping red wine and gently puffing away on cigars. As anyone who has ever lived in Paris will confirm, finding somewhere to retire to after one-too-many red wines is one of the hardest parts. Apartment rental in Paris is very expensive, incredibly competitive and can be soul-destroying. But by putting in a little work before arrival, and knowing some basics beforehand, things don't have to be so difficult.
Preparing For Renting Before You Arrive
The most important thing is for a person to know what they're looking for. There are hundreds of new lodgings that become available every day in Paris, and it can be difficult to identify a dream apartment when faced with the listings. So, it's important to think hard about what's needed (remember space is at a premium), read up on the areas of the city and have an idea of the price range. It's also useful to translate these into French as Paris Immobiliers (estate agents) rarely speak English.
Searching For An Apartment Once In Paris
Armed with a dream flat on paper, it's time to turn it into reality. Ensure there's enough time for the search, especially if arriving for work; running from agency office to viewing can become a full time job. If staying in temporary accommodation, make sure it has an internet connection as hundreds of properties are posted every day online. Sites such as Particulier a Particulier and Seloger are vital, as many agencies will post on here but not on their own websites. Craigslist is also a popular resource. Particulier a Particulier is mainly in English, Seloger is in French; hence the importance of brushing up on real estate French. When using the internet, try to be methodical jotting down the details of people that have been called or emailed to avoid ringing them twice if they appear on multiple websites.
When staring at the screen has become soul-destroying, it's time to hit the streets. Wander around target areas, stopping in all of the Immobiliers, making introductions, and briefing them. Pick up a card, so it's possible to call and check in for new properties a week or so later. If there's no time to wander, try consulting websites or calling - most should be listed in the Paris phone book. Look out for copies of Fusac (France USA Contacts), a biweekly magazine that has listings for apartment rentals in English. It can be worth paying a visit to the American Church in Paris (on the Quai D'Orsay, close to Les Invalides) which publishes daily classifieds - but get there as early as you can as they go quickly!
Dealing with Immobiliers
This is where, if it hasn't already, it gets frustrating. If it's possible to find an apartment privately, try to - Paris Immobiliers charge a lot and can be frustrating to work with. Most have so many potential tenants that they can afford to alienate some, so don't be disheartened if they don't return calls or cancel viewings at the last minute. In central Paris, the most popular properties and agency fees are published in the front window so one can immediately see what they'll charge when buying from them. Normally, this is generally in the region of 1-2 months rent for agency fees, as well as (normally) 2 months rent as a deposit.
Remember that the city is full of bargain hunters and it's not uncommon for over ten people to show up to see one rental property. To move things along quickly, a French bank account, your residency papers (not for EU citizens), and sometimes a guarantor, particularly for private or student leases will be necessary. The guarantor basically agrees to pay the rent should the tenant default, although it may be possible to persuade the landlord that one isn't necessary, especially if there is nobody available based in France.
Renting in Paris – it's Worth it!
With sufficient preparation, a good idea of what is wanted and sufficient time and patience, it is possible to find reasonably priced accommodation, even bargains, in France's capital. But Paris is one of the hardest cities in the world to find an apartment rental. It's a phenomenally popular city and millions of people want to leave there, so it's tough for a reason. When finally settled in, sipping a glass of wine or a cappuccino in a new place, makes all it feel worthwhile.
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