In order to rent a flat, you’d better to be familiar with a certain number of French expressions. "Charges", "caution", "garant", "contrat de bail", "état des lieux", "délai de préavis"... You will certainly hear these words during your search for a housing. You will find in this file an explanation of the main terms you must know, as well as the various steps of the renting process.   • Visiting an apartment - The documents to prepare for the owner : If you are interested in the apartment you have just visited, the owner will ask you to give him the following documents : - photocopy on both sides of your identity card and that of your "garant" (surety - see below)
- photocopy of the last three pay rolls of your "garant" (or yours, if you work) and/or your scholarship certificate
- your garant’s proof of residence
- particulars of your bank account (RIB) We advise you to prepare your file before coming to France. Make several photocopies of each document to be able to give them to several owners. - Le “garant”, also called “engagement de caution solidaire” (= the surety) :

The "garant" is the person who will pay for your rent if you are no longer able to do it yourself. In most cases, students choose their parents but it can also be a close relation who lives in France. Many owners require your surety’s income to be at least equal to three times the amount of the rent. They also frequently demand a surety who lives in France. You must know that according to the law, an owner cannot refuse the surety presented under the pretence that he is from a foreign nationality (except for furnished flats). • Moving in - Le "loyer" et les "charges" (the rent and expenses) : Rental expenses ("charges") add to the amount of the rent. They are used to pay for the maintenance of the building and garbage collection. In certain buildings, water (and sometimes heating) are collective. In that case, you will not receive a water bill (or heating bill) and your water consumption will be included in the expenses. The rent and expenses are paid every month by cheque to the owner or the real estate agency. - Le "contrat de bail" (the lease contract) : Before moving in, you have to sign the "contrat de bail" (lease contract). Drafted by your owner, it specifies the amount of the rent, the duration of the lease (rental duration), the conditions of payment of the rent etc… Read it carefully before signing. - La “caution”, also called “depot de garantie” (the safety deposit) : At the moment of signing the contract and before giving you the keys, the owner will certainly ask you to pay a safety deposit amounting to one month rent. This sum will be given back to you when you leave the apartment once the owner has checked the place is in good repair. At the same time as the deposit, you will have to pay for the first month of rent. - “L’état des lieux d’entrée” (the inventory at the entrance) : Before moving in, the owner will make an inventory of fixtures with you : you will mention together the state of repair of the apartment (stains on the walls, tiling in bad repair etc…) - “L'assurance habitation” (Householder comprehensive insurance policy) : You must give your owner a householder insurance certificate.
The Student Housing Office (21 rue du Val de Grâce in the 5th district), offers an insurance for 10 euros per year. More information >>
Students Health Insurance Companies (LMDE and SMEREP ) also offer insurance policies at very interesting prices. - Telephone and electricity : When you move into a flat, electricity and telephone are not immediately available. At your arrival, you must ask EDF (or another company) to put the electric meter in operation and France Telecom (or another company) to open your phone line. • Departure - Le “préavis de depart” (Advance notice) :
Before leaving your housing, you must give your owner at least three months notice and inform him of your departure by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. This is called "le préavis de départ".
If your housing is furnished, the departure notice is limited to one month. - Inventory at the moment of departure (“état des lieux de sortie”) and refunding of the deposit (“caution”) : Before leaving, your owner and yourself must make an inventory of fixtures. The owner will compare the inventory at the entrance and the inventory when you leave.
If the housing has not been damaged, he must refund you the deposit paid when you signed the lease. This must be done within two months after the restitution of the keys.