I am going to share my own experience with you, for what it's worth. When I came back from abroad, I was an expat coming home, French but I got into the same problems you seem to be experimenting. Not enough cash (nor the inclinaison) to buy, none of the documents required to rent. So I had to think out of the box.

I looked up for rental listings on Airbnb and other such sites, selected the places that I liked, and got in touch with the owners. My pitch as simple: "I'll give you your asking weekly fee for a month, but I'll stay as long as you will have me - and pay you 6 months in advance." Guess what, it worked. I did it twice, actually. Everytime I developed a relationship with the landlord and in the end I could stay longer than we initially agreed. The reason: unless their property is located in really hot location, most Airbnb landlord will rent 10 or 12 weeks per year at most. So, 12 months with me brought them 12 weeks otherwise, guaranteed - without the hassle and risk of switching tenants.

Hope that helps!

 

But you didn't need a visa.

It used to be that those who did, that you could walk into the Préfecture, go to the foreigners section and deal with helpful people face to face, they would tell you what you needed, give you forms and explain how to fill them in. Then you took the completed forms back, they checked them and started the proce, which was very quick. They would send you an email when the process was completed and you just went in and picked up your CDS. You could even go in and ask about progre6. Those days are gone, not enough staff bow.

 

The strategy above sounds good. You may also wish to try approaching gite owners with a similar offer. We found a gite in The Lot when we first arrived in 2020 for 6 months that would otherwise have gone empty. But if you have to make a full price offer for a regular rented property just to get your foot in the door, I think it's a very sad state of affairs. 6 or 12 months was standard practice when we lived in Dubai but then everyone did it so you had no choice. But here I think it's robbery. Once you've handed over all of your funds what incentive does the owner have to respond to your emerging needs/concerns with the property. And if for some unforeseen reason you have to leave the property (change/loss of job, illness, condition of the property, neighbourhood etc etc) what chances will you have of getting your funds back?

 

@travertine When I wrote Airbnb, I meant "gite owners who use Airbnb". I agree that sometimes my "1 week= 1 month" equation might be expensive in the end. But that can/should be adjusted to market conditions: not the same in Cannes (expensive all year long) than in Limoges (cheap all year long) or Uzès where I live (it depends...).

And, just like you in Dubai, expats may not have much choice. Especially given the fact that no rental agency is going to help them - too "complicated" a scenario...

I think (again, based on experience) that Airbnb landlords tend to be more open to expats, sometimes they are expats themselves - French expats who have invested this way, with the view to have their own place when they come back and make money along the way. Those profiles will listen to you/us/them.

On your second points: IMHBEO (humble but experienced) all Airbnb owners are very careful to make sure they don't get bad reviews, and all want to keep their property in good condition. So I wouldnt be too worried about them forgetting you once they've received your money. Well, usually...

 

Airbnb only allow reviews to properties that are rented on their platform.
Going off the platform does nothing to protect the renter. Because you are ....off the platform.

 

Hi. I agree that those listing on AirBnB and Gites France (for instance) are sensitive towards negative reviews. I should have been clearer but I was referring to owners listing regular rented properties outside of the holiday sector. There is no or very little public visibility if the landlord behaves badly.

 

Agreed!

 

It's illegal in France to do that.

 

@Whatever 76 No it's not. Well, you would be right, and it would illegal be for a classic 3/6/9 contract. But not for Airbnb-type vacation rental situations. Until further notice - as this may change over time. And even if it were, one could organise some sort of escrow-account type of arrangments, possibly under the follow-up of a notaire - to ensure that all parties are protected. Thinking out of the box, that's the idea. [As a registered agent immobilier, I am confident I kinda know what I am talking about. Well, I guess...].

 

You are seriously mistaken. A holiday rental such as AirBnB can only be rented out for a maximum of 90 consecutive days to the same person, less in some areas. For a long term rental it's illegal to accept 6 or 12 months rent in advance.

 

Seriously mistaken

Quelle est la réglementation en location meublée saisonnière (Airbnb)? - DERHY AVOCAT

Tout comprendre la réglementation en matière de location saisonnière de type airbnb : comment louer un appartement ou un local sur airbnb ?

derhy-avocat.com

 

Gang, the whole AirBnB market is somewhat unpredictable as I understand it. In some areas, the length of rentals is severely limited to a set number of days per year. It's a touchy point in certain parts of France. And then again, there is always "Système D" which is alive and well - but you take your chances.

 

2 things here.

(1) I never suggested that one should get into a clearly illegal setup or contract. I am just saying: just do what everybody does. Tacit 3 months, and onto 3 months, etc. Whoever signs a (proper, legally enforceable) lease within the Airbnb context?? Who? Système D it maybe - but when it works for everybody, well it works. It's not illegal, it's optimised. And the taxpeople are uninterested - unless somebody decides to not pay VAT, but the tenant is never at risk here. Landlords should know what they are doing.

(2) Have you not followed the news recently? Only (a few) large cities have imposed rental lengths limitation. Local authorities are utterly incapable of enforcing any Airbnb-related bylaws they may or (most often) may not have passed: not enough ressources, or plain lack of understanding. Notwithstanding the fact that lots of local Airbnb landlords are rebelling (look to St Malo, 35). The only exception to this is Paris - at the margin.

begster80 is asking us for real life advice here. Isn't that the idea of this forum? Rob wants to find a way to solve his problem. I am reporting what I know works. So gang, why don't we get real if we want to be helpful? What do you think?

 

An alternative for you Rob. Expensive, but it works all the time. Go the HNWI route.

There are plenty of agents (well, I know you don't like them - but some get things done) in Cannes, or Antibes or Monaco - or Paris, whose business is solely with HNWI - high net work individuals aka mi/billionaires. If you've got the money, you'll get what you want - notwithstanding whatever bylaws may or may not be in place. Within days, for whatever length you want it. And in Cannes I dont think there are any, because, you know, HNWI is their core business. I have worked in Cannes, St Tropez and in the UHNWI (U for ultra) world of superyachts. Here again, I know what I have seen.

 

Yeah Rob or begster80, just go the UHNWI (ultra high net worth individuals) route and bribe your way in.....works every time . sorted. Jeeesh....

 

, @conky2, I truly wish I could. Maybe if I play lotto...

 

There are plenty of online experiences of tenants who have attempted to do what pierre.edme has suggested. Of course, these are not millionaires/billionaires and when things went haywire, they were left in very bad situation(s). All kinds of bad situations - financial, rodent problems, neighbor problems. The list goes on and on. The rental regulations are clear for all to see. Follow them and you will have recourse when/if something goes wrong. Don't follow them at your own risk. Remember, this is the roof over your head.

 

OK Folks, let's chill here. The whole purpose of this forum is to allow for people to share their experiences when asked about various situations. No one solution is "right" for everyone - and when pointing out legalities or possible impediments, this is offered up as "things to be aware of" rather than "you can't do that - it's illegal (or whatever)." Incoming expats have a variety of concerns - from the legalities to "what will the neighbors think?" and those consequences will vary from one town or area to the next (especially for foreigners vs. native born French moving into the area).

No one here on the forums is (or should be) holding themselves out to be The Expert in any particular area or subject. If you're participating here, you're giving your opinion or sharing your own experience. Your mileage may vary (and generally will). Add to that, the situation, as well as the rules and laws are ever-changing, so what worked for someone a couple years ago may be more difficult today.

If we can't play nicely, I'm going to close this thread.

 

I am sincerely thankful to everyone who has taken time out of their schedules to share their opinions or offer advice! I will reread and do additional research.
I'm also considering looking into consulting agencies such as the Adrian Leeds Group for the sole purpose of determining if they can assist with renting. I'm not sure how they might be able to help, but I'm willing to pay the consulting fee to find out.
Again, thank you each and every one who responded to my post!
Have a great weekend!

 

I would avoid reaching out to that particular group if I were you.

I am sincerely thankful to everyone who has taken time out of their schedules to share their opinions or offer advice! I will reread and do additional research.
I'm also considering looking into consulting agencies such as the Adrian Leeds Group for the sole purpose of determining if they can assist with renting. I'm not sure how they might be able to help, but I'm willing to pay the consulting fee to find out.
Again, thank you each and every one who responded to my post!
Have a great weekend!

ouls

 

Adrian Leeds is a good idea. Buy a video consultancy appointment and see what she has to say. Because she (and her team) are on top things. And she should be able to tell you who to talk to - well, particularly in Paris and LaRiviera (from what I understand). Good luck!

 

@pierre.edme, yes, I'm hoping to get to speak to them soon! Merci!

 

It might technically be possible, but if you are coming to France on a visa and if it is true that you need to be able to receive mail at that address (ie your names on the mailox) re your convocation for the TDS, which each of you will receive separately and not at the same time, then it could be problematic or even pointless, especially with the very long TDS processing times being reported by many people on this forum.

Anyway good luck with the consultant, that's likely a far better way to move forward.

 

Where do you want to live? There is an American member on here who successfully used a company based in Montpellier who specialize in the Nîmes area and it seems that others have successfully followed duit. I believe they can get you a 1 year rental contract.

 

Hi @Whatever 76, actually Montpellier and Nimes is on out list, besides Toulouse and Bordeaux.

Hoping someone may read these comments and let me know who the company or the person is. I will also reach out to Mr. google. Thanks!