Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Paris can be a tricky process but once you have secured a place in such a beautiful city it makes it all seem worth it!

Below is a list of websites that are extremely helpful when looking for a place:

• Appartager.com
• Pap.fr (to share or to find a place on your own, no agency fees)
• Leboncoin.fr (equivalent to Craig’s list)
• Airbnb.com
• Seloger.com
• Fusac
• uniplaces.com

You can also find a place for a few weeks in Youth hostels, Airbnbs, or look for a room in Private Students’ Residences. 

FACEBOOK GROUPS

• WANTED#bonsplans
• PARIS : Location d’appart, échange, colocation !
• Foreign Students in Paris Flat Sharing & other help
• cinqyou.com

RENTING CHECKLIST:

• DO NOT SEND MONEY IN ADVANCE
• Check the person’s FB profile/LinkedIn – Be careful of fake accounts
• Never pay any money at all to view a property or to reserve it before you have actually seen it.
• If you can’t come to France to visit, maybe ask to Skype with the owner
  Get a colleague at work to have a look over the contract before you sign anything.
• Be careful to avoid scams artist in some of the Facebook groups and online ads. 

RENTING AN APARTMENT ON YOUR OWN

What you need to know:

1st step: Prepare your application with the necessary documents proving that you are able to pay your rent (bank affiliation, ID photocopy…)

We advise you to prepare your application before coming to France.

2nd step: Find a guarantor (« caution solidaire »): French landlords will ask you for someone to agree to pay your rent if you fail to do so. It may be your parents or a family member.  You must be able to provide proof of their income: a letter, a bank statement, pay slips… 

3rd step: Check the ads and make an appointment for a visit. Bring along your file so that if the place suits you, you will be able to apply right away.

Things to look out for (when you’re visiting potential flats):

• Rent & charges: Check what is included in the rent & what is not (heating, water…)
• The conditions of the lease.
• The deposit: you will be asked for the equivalent of 1 or 2 months’ rent as a deposit.
• Inventory of fixtures
• Home insurance: You must buy home insurance before moving in. The owner may ask to see proof before giving you the keys.
• Electricity and internet: you will need to contact the energy supplier to start a new contract

You will find more information in our welcome package for Les Petits Bilingues Teachers.

Click here to read an article explaining your rights as a renter.

Banking

France is a member of the European Union and has the Euro € currency.

Travelex currency exchange can be found in airports, the centre of Paris and most large cities. They are open later than banks, and 7 days a week.

Banks are generally open from 9:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday-Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday.

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT 

First you will need to obtain the forms from your selected bank, either during a visit or by correspondence from abroad. 

In addition to completing the application form – called a mandat – you may (not always, depending on the bank) need to provide additional information as follows:

• Reference from your current bank
• Copy of your passport
• Signature witnessed by a solicitor (non-residents)
• Evidence of residency status (utility bill or copy of house purchase agreement, e.g. Compromis de Vente, if your purchase has not gone through).

You will also need to deposit a small sum to open the account.

Choosing a bank

Before your departure: check if your current bank shares any agreements with French institutions and if they allow ATM withdrawals or international money transfers free of charge.

You can also inquire whether these major French banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, CIC and Crédit Agricole) offer special packages for expatriates (checking account, credit card, home insurance). For a complete list of English-speaking banks in Paris, visit AngloInfo’s page here.

Easy and without any conditions is to open an account with NICKEL : you can do it online for the first steps and then stop by a coffee/tabacco shop to finish the process. The cost is 20€ per year

A French bank account will simplify making necessary expenses for a long-term furnished rental, such as the security deposit (depôt de garantie), the first month’s rent, and the agency fee. You will also be provided with a RIB (Relevé d’Identité Bancaire), an essential document, displaying your account details. The RIB authorises direct debits and is required for mobile phone plans, Internet, electricity, most contracts and subscriptions.