Advice on 'Le Bail'

[lucasl]

Hi all,
Thought this would be the best place to ask this question.
I'm an Australian student moving to Paris for 4-5 months and am looking into the infamous task of finding accomodation.
Now, I'd like to do a 'colocation', ideally just sub-let a room in one already formed, but I doubt I'll be that lucky and will have to find an apartment, some friends and sign the lease.

Now the thing is, my understanding is that leases are a minumum of 1 year (9 months for students), but I only want to stay 4-5 months.
Is there a way around this? Could I:
-Lie and say I'm staying the whole time, then cancel my lease? I'm not sure this is possible (and I don't like to lie) because of the other tenants on the lease
-Find a replacement and put them on the lease instead?
-Find a replacement and sublet to them the rest of the lease (not sure this would be a good idea)?
-Some other option?

I know tenants are much better off than landlords in terms of protection but also French beaureacracy is hard.

Thanks!
Lucas

[lucasl]

No ideas?

[bellakem]

Try airbnb.com and search Paris. You will be able to rent a room or the whole apartment if you want

[Bevdeforges]

Google "colocation Paris" and see what you get. There are a number of sites and agencies that deal in roommate arrangements these days. I think you can understand why folks would want to meet a potential roommate face to face before agreeing to rent to them, so you may have to put off your flat hunting until you're on site.
Cheers,
Bev

[KevinC]

I've found quite a few through PAP - Particulier à Particulier (pap.fr) not so much on the mobile site or app but on the main site.

Just set where you're looking for on colocation and off you go. I also personally setup email notifications of new adverts as well which are handy.

[Amandapanda]

Hi there, I've been having problems renting too and although mine are different problems, I've done a bit of research.

What I understand about rentals is that for a furnished rental, the contract is a minimum of a year and for unfurnished it's three years. However, within that, there is a clause where the tenant can give one month's notice and leave (three months for unfurnished.) I'm not sure whether there's a minimum time you'd have to stay before giving this notice, but it might solve your problem in that you don't have to 'lie' to get a contract. Check with the agent about the break clause and when you'd be able to leave if you wanted.

Having said that, you'd possibly be leaving your flatmate in the lurch somewhat unless they were leaving at the same time as you, so I'd say it's better to be honest with them from the start about your intentions!

Hope that helps.