Putting together a rental application
Finding a potential place to live is just the first step. Next, the lessor will ask you to submit a rental application that they will evaluate and verify. Your application plays a decisive role in determining whether the lessor will rent to you. It is made up of several supporting documents. Before you can move in, you must also pay a security deposit. Finally, to ensure that your rent is always paid, the lessor may ask you to find a guarantor.
Required documents
Below is the core set of documents that will be requested as part of the rental application:
- A valid form of ID (an ID card, passport, and/or residence permit)
- Evidence of your financial resources, such as an employment contract, your last three pay slips, or proof of a stipend
- Proof of home insurance
- Your bank account information, in the form of a relevé d’identité bancaire/relevé d’identité postal (RIB or RIP)
You can beef up your file by adding the following optional documents:
- Your student ID
- A photocopy of your guarantor’s ID
- Your residence permit
- A formal letter from your employer or host organisation attesting to the nature of your stay
Useful links
Security deposit
Generally, on the day you sign the rental agreement, you hand over a security deposit to the lessor. It can theoretically be used to cover any unpaid rent, utilities, repairs, and/or other related expenses. The deposit is equal to one month’s rent (excluding utilities) for unfurnished rentals and two months’ rent (excluding utilities) for furnished rentals.
The entire security deposit will be returned to you within a month after you move out if there has been no damage to the property.
In the case of financial hardship, you can apply for funds to help cover the security deposit via a programme called Avance Loca-Pass. Your application must be submitted within 2 months of your move-in date. This programme is only open to those living in private housing, and there is no cost to apply. If approved, you will be granted an interest-free loan. You also have to meet one of the following conditions: you must be a student; you must be employed in the private sector (outside of the agricultural industry); or you must be a young person (under 30) who is unemployed or enrolled in a professional training programme.
Useful links
Guarantorship
In most cases, in addition to receiving a security deposit, the lessor will request that you find someone to act as a guarantor, which means that they will pay the rent and utilities if you cannot. A guarantor can be a person, organisation, or a company.
There are two forms of guarantorship:
- The simple guarantee (la caution simple)—the lessor only gets in contact with the guarantor if the renter is financially incapable of paying what they owe.
- The shared guarantee (la caution solidaire)—the lessor can directly get in contact with the guarantor from the first moment that there is a late payment. There is no need to go through the renter. This form of guarantorship is the most common.
If you do not have anyone who could serve as a guarantor, you can apply to the VISALE programme before signing the rental agreement. If your application is accepted, Action Logement, the parent organisation, will act as your guarantor free of charge.
Private organizations also offer this type of service, but for a fee: Garant me, Cautionéo.
Useful links
Useful links