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Short-term vs. Long-term rental

7K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  tezza 
#1 ·
Hi. I'm looking for some advice on my current dilemma. My family of four (plus two dogs and cat) will be arriving in france at the end of July. We'll be there at least two years, but probably quite a bit longer (10+ years). We want to rent a furnished house (in the western suburbs of Paris) for the first year or two.

So here is my question: would it make more sense to find a short-term rental for 3-4 weeks (our employer will pay for our first 10 days in a hotel) and wait for La rentree when there will be more houses available (as I understand it)? Or should we try for a long-term rental right away (this is attractive because if we find something before we leave, we'll have a better idea of what to ship, as "furnished" can mean so many different things).

Any insight or advice will be appreciated! :clap2: Thanks so much.

Caroline
 
#2 ·
OK, one small glitch here is that in France a furnished rental is considered "short term" and falls under the same laws as a hotel or a gite. An unfurnished rental normally has a lease that runs for 3 years (though there are opt-out points along the way - you just have to give something like 3 months' notice unless you're moving out due to a job transfer or change in jobs) and most of the usual sorts of regulations as a "long term rental" in the US.

If you can't do a serious house-hunting trip this spring, I'd opt for the 10 days in a hotel and see if you could get your employer to at least help with the cost of a relocation service for the house hunting. (Having someone who can translate both the language and the usual terms and conditions of renting can be a huge advantage.)
Cheers,
Bev
 
#4 ·
If you can't do a serious house-hunting trip this spring, I'd opt for the 10 days in a hotel and see if you could get your employer to at least help with the cost of a relocation service for the house hunting. (Having someone who can translate both the language and the usual terms and conditions of renting can be a huge advantage.)
Cheers,
Bev
Okay, thanks. They do provide a relocation service, which I'm sure will help. I guess what I'm mostly wondering is if we're likely to find a better place if we wait until September (by staying in a short-term rental for a bit). Everything I've read makes it sound like many people don't bother listing houses until then. Is that accurate, or would there likely be plenty to choose from in August as well?

Thanks!

Caroline
 
#5 ·
Hi, and thanks for your reply. That was what we were thinking of doing. We don't want to rush around buying furniture and appliances right away, and we don't have much of a shipping allowance (after the flights for four and the fees to fly 3 animals over :eek:)


Wondering if anyone has done a long-term furnished rental?

Caroline
 
#8 ·
Hi Caroline,

If you have any luck, or good contacts to share, please let me know. We are also looking around that time frame, but within the southern France area (Montpellier, beach areas south). We were planning on August as well to get kids acclimated first.

Thanks,
Ben
 
#10 ·
Hi Ben,

I've decided to go over at the end of June to look at places (rather than find one online and rent sight-unseen). You should see places that will be available August first starting in May (as people need to give 3 months notice). There are already a few that I've seen that are available August 1st. I've been mostly looking on seloger.com, although pap.fr has some options as well.

Good luck and I'll keep you posted!

Caroline
 
#11 ·
Hi,

I'd get in touch with agencies in Paris and arrange viewings just before you leave. There's quite a big shortage of properties in Paris so it might be a bit hard to find something in the 10 days after you get there..(+ it's become really expensive).

Best Wishes

Thierry
 
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