Even before you start your Parcoursup or eCandidat application, one thing is clear: finding student accommodation in Paris is a real challenge. With demand far outstripping supply, sometimes discouraging group visits and often high rents, the capital has not stolen its reputation as a difficult city to find accommodation in. To maximize your chances and prepare for the new school year with peace of mind, discover our tips for finding student accommodation in Paris and the Paris region:
Don't forget to include the essentials in your application: proof of identity for yourself, a school certificate or student card if you have one, a work contract if you're on a sandwich course, and proof of address (electricity bill, last three rent receipts, or a sworn statement if you're still living with your parents). For your guarantors, the same applies: provide proof of income, including the last three pay slips for each guarantor (or, failing that, the last two balance sheets if your guarantor is self-employed, proof of benefits, etc.), together with identification for each.
It's always tricky to find a guarantor, because on average, landlords and estate agents require three times the amount of rent you're aiming for in net income on the payslip of at least one guarantor. Given the high cost of rent in Paris, not everyone is so lucky, so make sure you have the Visale guarantee, the official government guarantee. Although some landlords refuse to accept it, it is increasingly accepted, so give it a try!
Then all you have to do is check your file on Dossier Facile, a free service where it is verified and certified by the French government.
We can't stress this enough, but in view of demand, the vast majority of landlords operate on a "first come, first served" basis, and we understand when they receive several hundred messages for a rental. Write down in your notes a standard message to be sent to each ad that suits you, indicating your situation (student in such and such a school, on work-study or not), the nature of your guarantors (parents, grandparents...), that you are interested in the accommodation and that you can send your application within ten minutes.
The essential platform for finding a rental is Le Bon Coin, but there are plenty of others too. Here's a list of the most popular:
The good news is that there's a free app that lets you receive all these ads and set notifications according to your criteria (price, surface area, location...): it's Jinka, available on Android or iOS.
And don't forget the Facebook groups, which can also help you: Paris housing tips, Paris : flatshare, rental, sublet, apartment
Depending on where you live at the moment, we know that this can be complicated: nevertheless, nothing beatsbeing present on the day of the visit (if possible accompanied by a guarantor) so that the agency or private individual can meet you. Visits by video are also possible, but given the demand, you're unfortunately less likely to get the apartment in the end. Be early or on time, with your printed file in your hands, or having e-mailed it in advance of your visit!
Given the price of renting in Paris and often even in the suburbs (even far away), sharing a flat is a particularly interesting and less expensive option, provided you like living in a community (at least a minimum).
Our favorite sites for finding a roommate:
With the aforementioned Facebook groups.
For a solution that's a little less costly and more supportive, intergenerational housing is a great option: a number of associations and platforms also offer it. The advantage is that you're sharing time with an elderly person who's now living alone, so you can do a good deed and save money.
Associations and platforms to turn to:
Given the competition to find a property, you can be sure that you're far from the only one interested in the property in question. So, make as many requests as you can, even if the property doesn't appeal to you: you'll be able to make up your own mind when you visit, and above all, don't be too picky if you absolutely have to find it.
Ads with very attractive rents - almost too attractive - are often scams. Never, ever send money online or otherwise if you haven't met the owner of the property you're interested in: they're scams.
Why not live in the suburbs? Rents are less expensive and if you have good transport links to university, it's a real advantage. Don't forget to ask about metro stops close to your accommodation in advance and to check (especially if you're taking the intramuros): if you have a direct metro, bus or RER line to the university, you're all set!
It may sound silly, but apartment-hunting takes a lot of wear and tear: always be very reactive and try to be available for visits as much as possible, send your rental file in PDF format as soon as you have an e-mail address where you can do so... Yes, finding a place to live in Paris is almost a matter of luck. It's long and tedious, but you'll always find one in the end: so don't give up, it's only a matter of time!
What to do if you can't find a flat?
In spite of everything, every year many students find themselves without accommodation on the eve or D-day of their new school year... It's not an easy situation, so we've come up with a few solutions to help you find an apartment once you're in France.
Students without accommodation: what are the alternatives as the new school year approaches?
In Paris, finding accommodation when you're a student is almost mission impossible. Every time an ad is posted, hundreds of applications are sent out, and it's often difficult to get the best deal. We've come up with a few alternatives to get you by. [Read more]
Students without accommodation: what are the alternatives as the new school year approaches?
