If you’re looking to rent a room in France, it’s important to know what documents you’ll need to provide. Here is a list of documents generally requested by landlords or real estate agencies for French students, but also for Erasmus and international students. I’d like to give you some advice on finding accommodation.
For international and Erasmus students
- Valid proof of identity (identity card, passport, etc.)
- A valid residence permit (for foreign students from outside the European Union)
- School certificate
- The last three pay slips or a valid employment contract. These documents can also be requested from a parent or guarantor. (sometimes your guarantor must be French and living in France).
- Recent proof of address (electricity, gas or telephone bill, rent receipt, etc.)
- A security deposit (generally equivalent to one month’s rent)
For French students
- Valid identification (ID card, passport, driving license, etc.)
- The last three pay slips or a valid employment contract. These documents can also be requested from a parent or guarantor.
- Recent proof of address (electricity, gas or telephone bill, rent receipt, etc.)
- A security deposit (generally equivalent to one month’s rent)
- Proof of home insurance (mandatory for tenants)
Why does access to housing require so much paperwork?
First of all, landlords are often very cautious when it comes to choosing a tenant, as they want to be sure that the tenant will be able to pay the rent and take care of the property.
French legislation is very protective of tenants, which means that landlords need a great deal of documentation to protect themselves in the event of a problem. So you need to understand that these documents are important to a landlord when looking for a home.
Estate agents often play an important role in the search for accommodation in France, and they need these documents to ensure that the potential tenant meets the criteria of solvency and reliability.
Failure to provide sufficient documentation may be grounds for refusal. To find out more, we invite you to read the article “What reasons are valid for refusing a tenant“.
