[nomad41]

Hi All..
I am planning to move with my family to Paris around 5th - 6th June. The idea is to book temp flat for 2 weeks online and than look for permanent 3 years rental. I should start my employment on 15th June.
I was wondering whether there is a real chance to find a place to live (3 years rental) in 8-10 days time (not via agency but via webs).
I will have a 3 years contract from an international organisation in my hand and bank account set up in French bank (with assistance from my employer) . Happy to set up direct debit payments too. I will not have a guarantor and neither cash equivalent to 6-12 months of rent as a security for landlord. Any advice very much welcomed.

 

[Bevdeforges]

If you're going to go the web route rather than rental agencies, I hope your French is pretty good.

Not having the usual three months' worth of pay slips and/or 3 months of bank statements showing your pay being deposited may pose a challenge. The housing market in Paris is tight enough that most landlords will have their choice of potential tenants - and they're most likely to choose the one with all the usual forms of credit verification.

Can your employer help you in any way? Or, you may want to check the ads in FUSAC (English language want ad publication - often placed by expats) or consult the bulletin board at the American Church on the Quai d'Orsay, where there are ads placed by English speaking expats who may be more willing to negotiate.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[nomad41]

Thanks a lot

If you're going to go the web route rather than rental agencies, I hope your French is pretty good.

Not having the usual three months' worth of pay slips and/or 3 months of bank statements showing your pay being deposited may pose a challenge. The housing market in Paris is tight enough that most landlords will have their choice of potential tenants - and they're most likely to choose the one with all the usual forms of credit verification.

Can your employer help you in any way? Or, you may want to check the ads in FUSAC (English language want ad publication - often placed by expats) or consult the bulletin board at the American Church on the Quai d'Orsay, where there are ads placed by English speaking expats who may be more willing to negotiate.
Cheers,
Bev

Dear Bev,
Thanks for your response. I have spoken to my future employer about potential problems with renting, but I was advised that 1. They cannot serve as my guarantor. 2.The contract details must be good enough for me to secure rental in Paris. I do not feel I have enough info to convince them otherwise and have no idea which way they might be helpful to me. My French is pretty poor but I thought I ll pay an interprter to help me to negotiate details with pre renting ( still cheaper than agency fee I guess). Would you suggest that it is very difficult to rent flat for 3 years unless one has 3 payslips from the employer so has to live for 3 months in temp flat? I checked FUSAC earlier and there were not that many adverts - sort of 20-30 with little choice.

 

[Tada Sounds]

Renting in FRANCE

Hi All..
I am planning to move with my family to Paris around 5th - 6th June. The idea is to book temp flat for 2 weeks online and than look for permanent 3 years rental. I should start my employment on 15th June.
I was wondering whether there is a real chance to find a place to live (3 years rental) in 8-10 days time (not via agency but via webs).
I will have a 3 years contract from an international organisation in my hand and bank account set up in French bank (with assistance from my employer) . Happy to set up direct debit payments too. I will not have a guarantor and neither cash equivalent to 6-12 months of rent as a security for landlord. Any advice very much welcomed.

I think you can do it in 10 days. But you have to make sure you have ALL paperwork in hands. Downtown Paris, I was able to rent a studio because I knew by heart the list of docs usually asked for. The realtor was impressed and found me trustworthy. The next day I was signing the agreement.
You will have to research the area too. I still have several friends downtown Paris. If you need more help, just let me know!
SNIP/

 

[Tada Sounds]

I forgot to ask you how far from Paris you would be ready to accept to live. Will you settle for suburb or not ?
Isabelle

 

[nomad41]

Dear Tada thanks a lot

I think you can do it in 10 days. But you have to make sure you have ALL paperwork in hands. Downtown Paris, I was able to rent a studio because I knew by heart the list of docs usually asked for. The realtor was impressed and found me trustworthy. The next day I was signing the agreement.
You will have to research the area too. I still have several friends downtown Paris. If you need more help, just let me know!
SNIP/

Dear Tada
Thank you very much for your response and advice. Answering to your both posts. In fact I do not want to settle in Paris at all, but in quiet suburbs. What was putting me off from FUSAC was that there are usually very few adverts from suburbs. Ideally I would like to rent a 2 bedroom apartment in zones 3-4 preferably on RER A no more than 45 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Etoile. If that is not possible. I would consider other options. The priority for me is to keep my family ( 2 small kids - 2 and 4 years old) at the temp accommodation as little as possible. Issues such as early registration with the GP and other necessary registrations - i.e local authority/nursery are key priorities for me.
Would you be so kind and let me know what documents I have to have if I want to impress landlords. Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[Tada Sounds]

Dear Tada
Thank you very much for your response and advice. Answering to your both posts. In fact I do not want to settle in Paris at all, but in quiet suburbs. What was putting me off from FUSAC was that there are usually very few adverts from suburbs. Ideally I would like to rent a 2 bedroom apartment in zones 3-4 preferably on RER A no more than 45 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Etoile. If that is not possible. I would consider other options. The priority for me is to keep my family ( 2 small kids - 2 and 4 years old) at the temp accommodation as little as possible. Issues such as early registration with the GP and other necessary registrations - i.e local authority/nursery are key priorities for me.
Would you be so kind and let me know what documents I have to have if I want to impress landlords. Thanks a lot in advance.

OK Nomad. I will work on this and reply soon. Tomorrow at the latest.

 

[Tada Sounds]

Dear Tada
Thank you very much for your response and advice. Answering to your both posts. In fact I do not want to settle in Paris at all, but in quiet suburbs. What was putting me off from FUSAC was that there are usually very few adverts from suburbs. Ideally I would like to rent a 2 bedroom apartment in zones 3-4 preferably on RER A no more than 45 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Etoile. If that is not possible. I would consider other options. The priority for me is to keep my family ( 2 small kids - 2 and 4 years old) at the temp accommodation as little as possible. Issues such as early registration with the GP and other necessary registrations - i.e local authority/nursery are key priorities for me.
Would you be so kind and let me know what documents I have to have if I want to impress landlords. Thanks a lot in advance.

Hi Nomad,
Here is what I read on the internet:

The landlord is able to request that you produce certain documentation as part of the vetting process for an annual tenancy, although the list of documents is severely prescribed.

Those documents which the landlord is entitled to ask for and see are:

Last three months salary/pension slips
Rental payment receipts from last rental property (if relevant)
Income tax declaration
Employment contract
Previous address, and employer details

The landlord is not entitled to ask for bank statements or marriage contract, medical certificate.

You may well be asked to supply references, particularly if you are already in rental accommodation.
I think that if you can bring letters of recommendation it will also sound good. Try to have ALL docs translated in French prior to coming to France. It's easy to find translating agencies online. Just check their credentials to make sure they are registered translators.
My brother is trying to sell his 2/3 bedroom appartment in 78180 MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX (line C of RER). I just emailed him about you and asked if he would consider renting. Do some research on that area and tell me if that would not be too far.
Will check on you tomorrow again. Also, get in touch with this organization:
- France-Amerique ([email protected] )
- Sisters City (each major city in the US has its French Sister City in France. These people love to help out American coming to France)
Good luck!

 

[Bevdeforges]

If you stick to the RER line A area, you'll be in the western suburbs of Paris. There are lots of expats out there, and it may well be possible to negotiate on the credit requirements if your landlord-to-be is an expat his- or her-self. Having your employment contract is definitely a plus. Try to get your bank account set up first thing so you can jump on an attractive apartment or house right away.

You may want to set up your temporary accommodation in the western suburbs, just to get a "feel" for the general area. It should be possible to find one or more rental agencies that have English speaking staff. (I know you don't want to deal with an agency, but if you want to find and close on a place in a week or two, it may be far easier for you in the long run.)

Take a look at PAP IMMOBILIER - Annonces immobilières | De Particulier à Particulier - PAP which is the real estate advertising paper for buying or renting directly from the owners rather than through an agency. There is some information there in English (click on the little British flag in the upper right corner). The ads are all in French, but you should be able to work out most of the key points. If you've got someone to translate or to help you with the language, it might go a bit smoother.

Don't try to do things strictly online. The photos posted on the web can be enormously misleading. You really need to see the property in person and at a few different times of day to check out the surroundings.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[nomad41]

Dear Tada

Thanks a lot for the effort you have made, I really appreciate it.

Those documents which the landlord is entitled to ask for and see are:

Last three months salary/pension slips
Rental payment receipts from last rental property (if relevant)
Income tax declaration
Employment contract
Previous address, and employer details
You may well be asked to supply references, particularly if you are already in rental accommodation.

.....Assuming that French landlord will not be interested/impressed with my UK payslips, I have two options 1.rent from an UK/US expat or 2. wait 3 months in temp acomodation. I would not have any rental references as I have been living in my own house and than apartment in London in last 6 years and I will be renting out.

I think that if you can bring letters of recommendation it will also sound good. Try to have ALL docs translated in French prior to coming to France.

.....Would translated
1. Land registry document (ownership of an apartment in London)
2. Confimation of my salary from previous employer in the UK
helped at all?

My brother is trying to sell his 2/3 bedroom appartment in 78180 MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX (line C of RER). I just emailed him about you and asked if he would consider renting. Do some research on that area and tell me if that would not be too far.
Will check on you tomorrow again. Also, get in touch with this organization:

....It is nice area but when I checked transport times (with Transport directions - itransports.com) to Chales de Gaulle Etoile/Monceau area it takes at least an hour ad half to get there.

- France-Amerique ([email protected] )
- Sisters City (each major city in the US has its French Sister City in France. These people love to help out American coming to France)
Good luck!
...Except unfortunatelly I am not an American , But I have to say that I loved my 10 months stay in Denver 10 years ago from the beginning till the end.

 

[nomad41]

Bevdeforges;771760]If you stick to the RER line A area, you'll be in the western suburbs of Paris. There are lots of expats out there, and it may well be possible to negotiate on the credit requirements if your landlord-to-be is an expat his- or her-self. Having your employment contract is definitely a plus. Try to get your bank account set up first thing so you can jump on an attractive apartment or house right away.

.... Dear Bev, thanks for your resonse. I was told (by my employer) that I will have my bank account open within a week from arrival to Paris.

You may want to set up your temporary accommodation in the western suburbs, just to get a "feel" for the general area. It should be possible to find one or more rental agencies that have English speaking staff. (I know you don't want to deal with an agency, but if you want to find and close on a place in a week or two, it may be far easier for you in the long run.)

.....Do you think they might be more prone to agree rental without some documents i.e. 3 months pay slips?

Take a look at PAP IMMOBILIER - Annonces immobilières | De Particulier à Particulier - PAP which is the real estate advertising paper for buying or renting directly from the owners rather than through an agency. There is some information there in English (click on the little British flag in the upper right corner). The ads are all in French, but you should be able to work out most of the key points.

...My wife speaks basic French so we are coping with adverts


Don't try to do things strictly online. The photos posted on the web can be enormously misleading. You really need to see the property in person and at a few different times of day to check out the surroundings.

...Well noted..Thanks a lot
Cheers,












Bev[/QUOTE]

 

[Bevdeforges]

If you can find a rental agency that has some English speaking agents, you may be able to get them to accept the work contract as proof of your ability to pay (combined with the fact that you have a bank account available). At least that way you have a go-between with the landlord - and the agency might be able to suggest what will work the best. (Will your employer at least give you a letter or other confirmation of your salary? That's going to be their main concern.)
Cheers,
Bev

 

[nomad41]

If you can find a rental agency that has some English speaking agents, you may be able to get them to accept the work contract as proof of your ability to pay (combined with the fact that you have a bank account available). At least that way you have a go-between with the landlord - and the agency might be able to suggest what will work the best. (Will your employer at least give you a letter or other confirmation of your salary? That's going to be their main concern.)
Cheers,
Bev

... Dear Bev

Thanks a loy again for your suggestions.

I do not think that this will be a problem at all. Anyway salary information is part of my contract anyway.
Moneywise, if I try to find apartment via agency shall I be ready to set up a direct debit, pay one month rent as an agancy fee and pay one month or three months rent as a deposit or guarantee? Could you please advise on that?

 

[Bevdeforges]

Like I've said, I've never had to look for a rental here in France. My understanding is that agencies take one or two months' rent as their fee. Then there is a month's rent as the deposit on the place. When you sign the lease, you'll need to set up the direct deposit - but that's pretty straight-forward. You give the landlord or agent your RIB (i.e. bank account info) and then you have a form you have to give your bank to validate the transaction and give permission for the landlord (or whoever) to take the rent out of your account each month.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[Tada Sounds]

Hi Bev and Nom

Hi Bev and Nomad,

I have to say that Bev is full of fantastic ideas and resources. I live in the US now but I had to rent 2 appartment when I lived in Paris. That's where I draw my advice from. I hope you can interact with as many English expats as possible as soon as you arrive, in order to have a large amount of friends who can help you out find a British landlord as Bev says.

Look into British-French Sister City associations too. And Rotary clubs are big in France. They can become an instant network.

Also, " Inlingua" is a language education franchise. They hire native speakers and can be a good place to place to contact about being British and looking for a English speaking landlord. I worked for them in 2 cities and I loved the multi cultural atmosphere. Teachers are foreigners and many of them have gone through the hassle you are going through. Look them up and give them a call. Tell them an ex teacher recommended them as a palce to ask advice from British teachers.

 

[maartenvd]

Nomad, to clarify: the reason to have clear documents in France of your employment and ability to pay the rent is that you may find yourself in a competitive situation where multiple people apply to rent the same place. The landlords then collect information ("dossiers") from each applicant, and pick who they want to rent to. Anything you submit that makes you look good, reliable, etc. can be helpful. So a resume or a bank statement of funds in your current bank could be helpful. Be sure to make a few copies of everything so you have a few sets ready to hand to landlords; you may want to apply for 2 or 3 places to make sure you have a high chance of getting one. (It's not a commitment.)