Useful information
FAQ tenant

Tenant profile

When a furnished apartment owner calls Paris Rental for the rental of his apartment, he expects the following tenant profile:

• a rental of one year or more
• an executive from a multinational company offering serious garantees

Paris Rental - with its multilingual team specializing in international relations - helps expatriates in all countries:

• International companies for their expatriate executives on mission in Paris
• Worldwild organizations and embassies
• Artists (writers, filmmakers, etc.)
• Expatriates on a sabbatical year
• Academics from wordly universities

Are there exceptions?

Yes, for example:

• expatriates or provincial residence who come to Paris for medical treatment in one of its many hospitals.
• the owners of an apartment where work is in progress
• couples separating and in need of a new home for one of the two spouses.

In these particular cases, is the rental period shorter?

Obviously, the duration of these rentals is shorter. However, many owners accept these tenant profiles, as long as their guarantees  are excellent.

Are there any less-desired tenant profiles?

Sometimes, owners hesitate to rent to colocation candidates, because the apartments are furnished and equipped with appliances and electronics. Experience has proven that when three or four room-mates cohabit, no-one takes responsibility for good maintenance of the apartment and its equipment.

Paris is a big city with hundreds of big companies and hundreds of schools of all kinds. So, yes, it is difficult to find a "home" for the numerous candidates in need of a furnished accommodation in Paris.

Here are some tips to help in the search for an apartment:  

• For working executives, the best solution is to use the services of a real estate agency and to delegate their search for a furnished apartment in Paris against a fee. Some real estate agencies, such as Paris Rental, are specialized in long-term furnished rentals and offer a wide choice of apartments due to their long experience and notoriety. The working executives are in a good position to find the furnished apartment of their choice, as their professional career has led them to earn a salary four times higher than the rent. This is an important criterion because it reassures landlords.


• For students, it is cheaper to consult the announcement boards of Churches, including American Church and Cathedral, Swedish Church, etc. Similarly, Chambers of Commerce, Cultural Centers and Embassies of all countries represented in Paris offer a bulletin-board or a website where to consult the available furnished rentals in Paris. Thanks to these chosen Centers, landlords and tenants often share the same nationality which brings them together. There are also many websites which appear every day on the net that Students can share with each other.

Three to six weeks before moving are recommended.

With Paris Rental , it is possible to move in your new "home" between 24 hours to one week. Paris Rental’s multilingual team will find you a furnished apartment matching your criteria the same day you call! However, the moving date will depend on providing the required guarantees and of the time needed for owner and tenant to agree on the terms of the rental agreement.
When tenants are on their own, the search can take weeks! Better to have a "personal file" ready, in case you find the rental that suits you on the first visit. In something as important as finding your furnished or unfurnished apartment in Paris, you have to be fast and ready. So many people are looking for the same thing as you are!

In the meantime, to get a better understanding of your desires and needs in your quest for a Paris apartment, check on Paris’ neighborhoods and districts, and on the costs associated with renting which you can find on our blog 

The candidates for rent should prepare their “personal file” before starting to look for an apartment, rather than after they found it. If by chance you were to like an apartment on your first visit, it is unlikely that the owner will keep the apartment for you for he probably received forty more applications waiting for a visit of his furnished apartment!

How to prepare your file?

To begin, make a short presentation about yourself, and add a copy of your CV, employment contract or your Internship Agreement. Your cover letter should describe why you want to live in this area (for example: there is a large square nearby and you are a jogger; there are cinemas near by and you are a movie buff, etc.). If you have a recommendation from a former landlord, put it in your file. Finally, prepare everything in an attractive color pouch. Among other files, you will come out!

Last but not least, prepare documents attesting to your resources, for example:

● Last or second-to-last tax notice (or equivalent document abroad) 
●  3 last payslips 
● For non-salaried employees: last two balance sheets or attestation of resources for the current year 
● Proof of pension, of social benefits and allowances for the last 3 months 
● Title of property or last notice of property tax 
● Proof of property income, life annuities or income from securities and movable assets

Should I speak with the owner during the visit?

Do not forget that a long-term lease means a long-term relationship between tenant and owner. So, be ready to engage in dialogue! To begin, ask a few specific questions: "In case of a leak, where is located the water shutoff valve? Do you have a dedicated service provider to contact for the annual boiler review?" Questions such as these will demonstrate your interest and the care you will take of the apartment.

If you choose to work with Paris Rental, an appointed consultant will send you a selection of apartments, organize visits and accompany you to see the apartments, assist you with your file, review the lease with you, and help you all the way till you sign your lease contract for your new “home, sweet home”. You will also get assistance for electricity, gas, "TriplePlay" (Internet, telephone, cable) subscriptions and for your home insurance.

Usually, yes! In most apartments, linen is supplied in sufficient quantity.
However, in some case, the owner provides only one set of sheets and towels to make your installation in your new furnished apartment more comfortable. Since rental duration is often for one year or more, tenants are then expected to buy their own sheets and towels.

In all cases, the linen found in the furnished apartment will be recorded in the check-in inventory at the entry. At departure, the tenant will be expected to return all linen and bath towels cleaned and ironed.

In France, 2 rooms, 3 rooms, 4 rooms etc. indicate the composition of an apartment by its main rooms. The main rooms are: the living room, the separate dining room or den, if any, and the bedrooms.
Kitchen, bathroom(s) and toilets are not taken into account, since these rooms are always present in an apartment.

Similarly, a T2 is an expression used in the real estate jargon to designate the size of housing, whether the accommodation is furnished or not. The T2 can also be called F2 or “2 pieces”. It designates a property consisting of two large rooms which are the living room and the bedroom.
For example : :
2 rooms or T2 is a living room + one bedroom.
3 rooms or T3 is a living room + 2 bedrooms (or a living room + a separate dining room + one bedroom).
4 rooms or T4 is a living room + 3 bedrooms (or a living room + 2 bedrooms and a dining room)

Nota bene : Insurance companies consider that a room larger than 30 M² counts for two rooms. Thus, an apartment with a double living room of 40M ² + two bedrooms corresponds to a 4 rooms, or T4.

The tenant has the right to possess one or more pets during his long term rental as long as he respects the peace of the building’s common areas. Nevertheless, he remains responsible for the damages and abnormal disturbances that his animal can cause in the neighbourhood.

Pet dogs
In most building regulations, there is a ban on dogs wandering about without being on a leash.

Exceptions
The possession of a dangerous dog belonging to the 1st category (attack dogs) is prohibited by a clause usually included in the rental agreement.

Pets called "NAC" (new animals of company)

Some categories of animals are strictly prohibited in a rental. For example, dangerous species such as tarantulas, crocodiles, scorpios..., as well as protected species such as hedgehog, vole...).
These animals are not considered pets.

Learn more about neighborhood abnormalities and their consequences.
What to do in case of nuisance caused by barking?  ?

Employee:

• Occupant's passport and visa
• Proof of employment (letter or statement from employer): This document must specify the assignment in Paris and the salary
• Last three pay slips and the previous tax return
• IBAN (bank details) for electricity, gas, or Internet subscription
• Three most recent rent receipts, if you currently live in France
• If necessary, a solidarity guarantee, a Garantme eligibility certificate, or a bank guarantee.

Student:

• Occupant's passport and visa
• University enrolment letter
• BAN (bank details) for electricity, gas, or Internet subscription
• Three most recent rent receipts if you currently live in France
• Eligibility certificate from Garantme or personal guarantor ("caution solitaire") and supporting documents:
  • Last two tax returns and last three pay slips
  • Copy of passport
  • IBAN
  • If the guarantor owns a property, the property tax.

The owner can request advance payment if the guarantor lives outside the EU.

Click to download the list of documents required from the tenant for a personal lease

Company lease signed by employer:

• Tenant's passport and visa
• Letter from employer indicating employee's assignment in France
• Passport / ID of signatory
• Power of attorney for the company representative signing the lease if the signatory is not registered in the company's register (KBIS)
• Company information:
  • KBIS - company registration certificate in France
  • For foreign companies, the equivalent of the KBIS
  • If a small or young company, the last two balance sheets
• IBAN of the occupier or company for electricity, gas, and Internet connections

The owner may require a bank guarantee.

Lease signed by employee:

• Tenant's passport and visa
• Proof of employment (letter from employer): This must specify the assignment in France, as well as the salary and housing allowance, if applicable
• The last three pay slips and the previous tax return
• Three most recent rent receipts, if the tenant currently resides in France
• If necessary, an additional guarantee or a Garantme eligibility certificate

• Proof of identity (passport or ID card) and Visa
• Proof of income: To justify your income for the rental, you can present the following proofs: retirement pension letter, 401(k) plan for Americans, tax returns, dividends, savings, etc.
• A French guarantor or a Garantme Certificate of Eligibility.
• Proof of current address (the last three rent receipts, property tax, water and electricity bills, council tax notice, or home insurance certificate).
• Bank statement for electricity, gas, and Internet subscription.

The landlord may ask for advance payment if you do not wish to provide a guarantee.

Generally, yes. But, any additional downloads via television (music, movies, etc.) will be charged to you.

If it's not included, our team can provide a list of options for tripleplay (internet, phone, television). 

If you prefer to have the installation completely taken care of, or have special requests (ex. home theater), we can arrange an appointment for an independent specialist to set everything up for you.

Specialist's Fee: 100€ (VAT included)

Additional charges are in the name of the tenant and include: utilities (electricity, gas…), home insurance, and if it's not included, Internet/phone/television.

In the case of a water heater (boiler) in the apartment, the tenant is responsible for it's annual maintenance.

The taxe d’habitation (local residence tax) is due once a year in the fall. It's for those who were living in the apartment on January 1st of that year.

Charges comprises means “building maintenance included”.

It includes maintenance of common areas, gardens, stairwell upkeep, water, garbage collection, elevator maintenance, concierge, etc.

Yes we do!

The entire team speaks English and French, and also Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German, Chinese, Laotian and Russian.

• We call you back!
• 30 years of experience. (Established in 1987)
• Impressive selection of furnished apartments to choose from - we choose only the best quality apartments
• An array of services starting with the Classic Rental Package
• Efficiency. With everything in order, you can move in within 24 hours!
• Clear pricing on our website - no surprises!
• After you move in, we’re still here to support you if you encounter any issues with your rental (in case the owner is absent).
• If necessary, we can help collect your security deposit from the landlord.

With our Classic Rental Package, you will pay the following at the lease signing:

• First month's rent
• Security deposit (equal to two month’s rent, maintenance charges included)
• ParisRental's service fee (learn more)
• Multi-risk home insurance

Download our guide (PDF) for more comprehensive details.

The electricity bill per m2 varies according to:

whether or not there is electric heating: heating represents, on average, 60% of a household's energy consumption
the characteristics of the accommodation: excellent or inadequate insulation, consumption class of household appliances, presence of a thermostat for heating, etc.
the habits of the occupants: number of inhabitants, number and type of devices used, present only in the evening and on weekends or also during the day, etc.
The chosen electricity supplier. To estimate your electricity consumption, click here.

It refers to home insurance that covers water damage, fire, and other hazards (depending on the coverage). This insurance is mandatory for all tenants. You must renew it every year or your lease could be terminated.

The taxe d'habitation is the local residence tax in France. The bill arrives in the fall and is due by the occupant who resides there on January 1st of that year.

If the tenant resides in the apartment for a short period of time (ex: 3 months), the owner may accept a pro-rated payment of the tax, though they are not obligated to do so.

When the walkthrough (état-des-lieux) goes well, the owner has one month (after move-out and key return) to deliver the security deposit.

If there are any issues during the walkthrough beyond normal wear and tear, part of the security deposit will be held. The remainder (after deductions) will be returned to the tenant within two months.

That's hard to say. Each neighborhood in Paris has its own unique character.

Discover Apartments by District on our website to learn more about the area that's right for you. Paris is constantly evolving!

Paris is rather safe, but as in any big city, you must use common sense. In Paris, most buildings have door codes and interior intercoms to ensure safety.

A few tips:

• Theft and pick-pocketing exist, so don't flaunt your valuables.
• Close your windows before going out. If you leave them open, insurance won't cover the incident.
• When you leave your apartment, even to take out the garbage, make sure it is locked! Most burglaries occur in the middle of the afternoon.

It’s very easy to use the shared bicycle system in Paris. You can choose to have a Vélib’ pass, link Vélib' with your Navigo or pay each time you use it. For more information go to website Velib'.

Visit RATP’s website or a RATP kiosk within some Métro stations to sign up for a Navigo Pass.

Having a Navigo Pass will allow you to take the Metro, RER, bus and tram. You can subscribe annually (pay 11 months for the year), monthly, or weekly. It goes to all suburbs surrounding Paris including Versailles, Charles-de-Gaulle, Disneyland and more - all of Île-de-France!

If you need to break the lease on your furnished rental, you must provide your landlord with registered notice at least 1 month in advance. Make sure to review the terms in your lease agreement to determine the notice period, or préavis.

The security deposit is paid by the tenant to the landlord upon signing the lease. According to the law, the deposit must not exceed one month's rent excluding charges for empty rentals and two months' rent for furnished rentals. It is used to cover possible damage found at the tenant’s departure.

The security deposit is subject to strict rules:

• The tenant can in no case use the deposit as rent at the end of the lease.
• The landlord can not keep all or part of the security deposit unless proving the repairs needed for the restoration of housing by the comparison with the intory of the premises done upon entering the apartment and by the corresponding invoice.

In case of dispute, the tenant can refer to the Departmental Commission of Cooperation or to the Judge of proximity.

Once the tenant has given the keys of the apartment back to the owner, the securit deposit must be returned to him within 1 month if the inventory of premises has been satisfactory, and within 2 months if differences are noticeable between the state of the apartment at entry and exit, outside of normal wear and tear. If the owner is late refunding the deposit, the tenant must ask for its restitution in a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.

Allows a person to declare himself/herself as a Guarantor (simple or solidary) of a tenant. The letter is given to the landlord.

The Insurance Code (Article L. 113-1) provides that the exclusions of guarantee must be formal and limited. If your insurance company objects to a reimbursement based on a warranty exclusion, read the terms of your contract carefully.
Ex : Theft may not be guarantee if the shutters were not closed during an absence of more than twenty-four hours. But if the clause in your contract stipulates that "All usual and reasonable precautions for the safekeeping of insured property must have been taken" it will not do. Indeed, the clause is not circumscribed to a specific area and is subject to interpretation. In such a case, do not hesitate to dispute with your insurance company in case it cites this clause for not compensating you.

In terms of home insurance, certain criteria allow the insurer to assess the risk. This is true of the living space or the value of the furniture of a house.

In the event of a change in the risk entailed, the insurer must be notified by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt in order that you’d be covered in the event of a claim. Upon receipt of your report of home modifications, the insurer will adjust the contract and adjust the contribution, if necessary.

Attention: if you do not declare the changes, the consequences can go from a reduction of the insurance compensation to the cancellation of the contract in case of disaster. Even if the element not declared was without influence on the disaster!

To determine whether or not there is a change in the risks involved with the modifications in your home, refer to the form filled with the insurer when you signed the policy. Keep a copy of the risk declaration form.

As soon as you discover a theft in your home, make an inventory of stolen property and of deteriorated fixutes such as doors, windows …, and take pictures. Then go and make a statement of theft to the nearest police station.

Be careful to keep the receipt of your statement in order to send it to your insurer by registered letter.

Beware : Deadlines for declaration of thefts are short, even if they cannot be inferior to forty-eight hours from the discovery of the disaster (article L. 113-2, 4 ° of the insurance code). Check your contract and be reactive! If you don’t find your contract, don’t waste time anyway.

The prescription for a claim is for a period of two years. The actions taken following the event that gave birth to them are prescribed by two years (Article L. 114-1 of the Insurance Code).

However, this prescription is interrupted if you send a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt concerning the payment of compensation (Article L. 114-2 of the Insurance Code). Then, a new period of two years will begin to run. So, if you are in negotiation with your insurer and that the deadline comes to an end, write to him by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt to make the delay reappear. Be sure to preserve the postal receipt.

You can cancel your comprehensive homeowner's policy before it expires and your insurance company must reimburse you the portion of the current premium beyond the date of termination of your contract. However, you must give the reason for your cancellation: for example, moving, changing profession; provided, however, that these changes affect the previously guaranteed risk.

Your request for cancellation must be made, by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, within three months of the change of your situation; it will take effect one month after receipt by the insurer. Article L. 113-16 of the Insurance Code provides for other cases than the change of domicile to authorize termination during the contract.

The certificate Loi Carrez is obligatory in case of sale of a property. It is measuring living suite surface. The certificate Loi Boutin is obligatory when renting an apartment unfurnished and principal residence. The certificate Loi Boutin doesn’t concern a temporary residence wich is not furnished.

Once the space is measured deduction of certain areas in the proprerty such as partitions, walls, steps, staircase, door areas etc are all taken off the total result measured and the end result is certified by a technician as the loi carrez of the property. According to the current rules, the loi carrez will not include in its total amount any areas in a co-property that are less than a height of 1.8 meters. It also does not include features like balconies and terrasses.

It is permanent unless subsequent work is carried out.

Provided sanctions : action for annulment of the sale in the absence of mention. Demand for lower prices if surface error of more than 5 %.

« Etat de servitude « Risques » et d’Information sur les Sols » (ESRIS) is a report on any natural or industrial risks to which the property may be prone, together with a declaration by the seller on any previous insurance claim(s) on the property relating to a natural disaster.

It is required in those communes where there a risk prevention plan (un plan de prévention des risques naturels) in place or in preparation, or in those areas classified as at risk of seismic movement.

The report must stipulate, for instance, whether or not the property is located in a flood zone, an area prone to earthquakes, major storms, avalanches, subject to ground movement, near a dangerous factory, or in proximity to major lorry routes where dangerous materials are being transported. Since July 2017 it has included a report on exposure to radon.

The report cannot be dated more than six months prior to the signing of the sale contract or lease.

Basic responsibility for providing the risk report lies with the préfecture, in collaboration with the local mairie. They will be able to provide the seller/surveyor with the standard ESRIS form, which you can find by visiting « Geo Risques ».

The landlord must also state separately whether they have previously received compensation from their insurer on a claim resulting from a natural or ‘technological’ disaster on the property, e.g. claim for subsidence, flooding, or storm damage. There should be a form to complete for this purpose.

Where the risk report is not provided a buyer has the right to seek recourse in the courts for cancellation of the sale contract, or a reduction in the sale price.

New : In those areas covered by a plan de prévention des risques or an area where, as defined by regulation, a potential radon risk is present, the buyer must be informed of the existence of the risk. This requirement has been in place since 1st July 2018.

A report on the energy performance of the property is required to give the future owner/tenant some idea of the likely level of energy consumption and heating costs.

The report is called the Diagnostic de Performance Energétique - DPE.

The report must be carried out prior to advertising of the property, so must be shown in the property advert.

The report identifies the estimated consumption of energy of a building based on the usage of electricity (measured by kWh/m2) and the impact of this consumption (greenhouse gas emissions measured in Kg of CO2/m2), and includes recommendations on how to improve the building to reduce these

The report is valid for 10 years.

A report on the presence or otherwise of paintwork that contains lead, in a report called the constat de risque d'exposition au plomb - CREP. This survey requirement applies to all properties built before 1949.

The report cannot be dated earlier than one year from sale completion. If lead is not found to be present, or to be so low as to not be a risk to health, then no further survey is necessary on a subsequent sale of the property.

The survey requirement also applies to the communal areas of a block of flats and to all rental properties let after 1st August 2008. In relation to rental properties the survey must have taken place within the last six years, and where lead is not found, no further survey is required.

Where the large-scale presence of lead paintwork is found the technician undertaking the survey is required to inform the préfecture and the owner can be made to undertake remedial work.

There is no requirement to seek out and to report on the presence of lead piping in the property.

The Gas Diagnostic Certificate (état de l'installation intérieure de gaz) has to be presented together with the lease contract or when selling the apartment.

It is obligatory for gas installations which are over 15 years old. This survey identifies any safety issues with the gas system and specifies the severity.

The report is valid for 3 years in case of rent, 6 years in case of sale.

A report on the presence or otherwise of products or materials containing asbestos, called amiante.

Buildings concerned : All buildings whose building permit was issued before July 1st 1997.

Duration of validity of the document: If no asbestos is detected, the period of validity is unlimited. However, if the presence of asbestos is detected, a new test must be performed within 3 years the delivery of diagnosis.

Provided Sanctions: The seller may be exonerated from the corresponding guarantee of hidden defects . For its part, the buyer can obtain justice in a reduction of the selling price or cancellation of the sale.

A report on the condition of the electricity supply in the property, where the wiring is over 15 years old.

The survey is valid for 3 years in case of rent, in case of sale 6 years.

The survey is called un état de l'installation intérieure d'électricité.

No survey is necessary where a certificat de conformité can be produced as evidence that the property complies with the regulations, provided the certificate is less than three years old.