Sabattical Homes might be a possibility. I know other expats have rented through them.

 

Yes, Sabbatical Homes is a good one to try. We rented an apt in Oberkampf through them for a year. No fees and dealt directly with the owner. We also rented with Paristay. I'm not sure I'd recommend them. We arranged the rental while we were in the US and the photos were really slick but nothing like reality as furniture was tatty and well worn. Plus their fees are quite high. It's definitely a plus if you're in Paris and can view the apt before renting.

 

Other possibilities, specialized in furnished Paris apartments:

www.parisattitude.com
www.parisrental.com
www.lodgis.com

I've used the first one three times. Staff speaks English and the contract is in French and English.

 

Other possibilities, specialized in furnished Paris apartments:

www.parisattitude.com
www.parisrental.com
www.lodgis.com

I've used the first one three times. Staff speaks English and the contract is in French and English.

Hi All--I posted the above reply a couple of days ago. Sounds like there have been problems with Lodgis? Sorry to hear that. I got all three website names from reliable Americans I met in Paris in early 2019: Lodgis, used by an American couple in Paris for a year of work; ParisRental, used by a retired American couple; and ParisAttitude, used by several different Americans, each with a different life situation/visa type.

Of the three, I have personal experience only with ParisAttitude.

 

So helpful. Thank you everyone!

 

Let us know how you get on - I'm sure ot would appreciate the feedback.

 

So I contacted both Lodgis and ParisAttitude (PA)and I had positive experience with both of them but ended up going with ParisAttitude simply because they had the listing I wanted. PA seems to charge higher commissions but in the end the rent I pay is much less than if I had used Airbnb for a comparable apartment. But at the same time, its a bit more work (with Airbnb, you are done after a few clicks) but with PA (and Lodgis), you have to send your financial docs to make the French landlord feel comfortable (eg if you don't have a regular pay slip, you have to get a guarantor from a company like Garantme or just pay everything upfront). My only concern with PA is that they have a lot of negative reviews on YELP about how the landlords do not return the 2 month security deposit (or take a long time) and PA doesn't do much to assist ....but I can't worry about that now and I have to trust that at the end of my stay my new landlord will be fair and honest. For now, I'm just relieved that I found something decent for my family in Paris. Merci beaucoup à tous!

 

Lodgis refused to work with me as a LSV- Tourist...just so you know...(if you fall in that category)...

 

Wow....we have a Long Stay Visa - Visiteur....so I think similar. Why would they refuse that segment?

 

Not sure what you mean by a LSV - tourist. But just be aware that furnished residential property falls into a different category regulation wise than does standard unfurnished residential property when it comes to rental terms and conditions. We have had problems in the past with expats renting "holiday rentals" who then discovered clauses in the lease stating that the property could NOT be used as a "primary residence" or something to that effect - which, if you're staying for the long term in France could become a real problem.

 

Not sure what you mean by a LSV - tourist.

Long stay visa- tourist...

Wow....we have a Long Stay Visa - Visiteur....so I think similar. Why would they refuse that segment?

Don't know...it was for a furnished rental...but they asked for employment/student info...and when I clarified, they said we don't rent to 'tourists'...So your guess it as good as mine...

 

May be I used the term 'tourist' in the wrong capacity...I mean the visitor visa on a private capacity...does that make better sense?

 

Lodgis does not spécialisé in furnished rentals for expats, though they do student rentals which are subject to different requirements.

 

One issue you may be running into is that rentals here usually aren't contracted way in advance like that. If you haven't even started the visa application process, there is a very real concern that something will "happen" in the next few months so that you won't be able to make the anticipated move. They are normally dealing with folks who have given notice wherever they are living and who are planning to move in within a month or six weeks of signing the lease.

What you could do is to look into an "apart-hotel" which is one of those suites places where you have cooking facilities and can live more or less like you were in an apartment. That way you only pay for the place the long weekends that you're in town but you get to live more like a long-term resident. Admittedly you don't have the convenience of being able to leave your stuff there between visits.

 

But Lodgis did the same thing to me as TomMM and I was willing to take on something ASAP...Initially someone responded and when I explained I was going to be there on LSV-TS as visitor (may have used the word 'tourist' which couldn't have helped matters at all) they sent a curt no-reply email saying that they don't deal with visitors lol.

 

You could open a non-resident bank account on the basis of your US primary residence and associated documentation and get it converted to a resident account once you can demonstrate that France is your primary residence. What you are planning won't qualify you for a resident French bank acc anyway.

 

Yes, a non-resident account is what I am interested in. Based on another user's experience HSBC does offer non-resident accounts but they reported having to upload a copy of their lease contract. I did access HSBC's registration site and one of the first items it asked for was my phone # in France which I didn't have at the time. I'll take another look at the registration process and see how far I can get.

Thanks for all of the good information.

 

We have had great experiences with SabbaticalHome.

 

UPDATE: My nightmare scenario happened -- when I moved out my landlord would not return my deposit (2 months worth of rent) . He said that some of the items were damaged and the apartment has not been cleaned hence in his view it is justified. For example, the sofa had some scratches but instead of charging me a repair cost, he is asking me to pay for whole a new sofa....and not giving me details of how he came up with his quote for the new sofa despite my multiple requests. Parris Attitude (the agency I used) is getting involved but I'm just wondering what kind of rights I have as a tenant esp as an expat and what are some actions I can take. Appreciate any advice. Thank you.

 

One of the key factors in any dispute over return of a deposit is whether or not you have the état des lieux documented - both on taking over the place and the one on your moving out.

 

What did you go with. Looking for a 2Month stay