Full guide
Process, exceptions, and official sources
Every step in order, with exceptions, special cases and official sources.
This information is for orientation only. Rights depend on lease type, zone, and encadrement des loyers. For disputes: local ADIL or a tenants’ association.
Housing roadmap
Before arrival (temporary) → Viewing → Bail + état des lieux → Assurance habitation → CAF → Utilities
Student checklist — housing
- 6–8 weeks ahead: CROUS + Leboncoin/Studapart; budget for caution + first loyer.
- First week: CROUS residence, foyer, short Airbnb — do not pay full months without a signed bail.
- Before signing: real viewing, verify landlord, cap on dépôt, notice period clauses.
- After signing: photographed état des lieux, assurance within 1 month, CAF application.
- Flatshare: written agreement on charges, guests, duration.
Student residence vs private market
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Logement CROUS | Low price, near campus | Limited places, DSE score |
| Résidence privée étudiante | Services, flexibility | More expensive than CROUS |
| Chambre en colocation | Affordable, social | Guarantor, flatmates |
| Private studio | Privacy | Garant, high rent in Paris |
Where to search
- CROUS — Public university housing.
- Leboncoin — Most-used listings.
- SeLoger, Bien’ici, PAP — Agencies and private landlords.
- Studapart, Lokaviz, Adele — Student portals.
- Facebook / WhatsApp groups — Only after identity checks.
Indicative rents by city (2026)
Monthly rent for a chambre en colocation (HC, charges excluded unless CC). Indicative figures.
| City | Room | Studio | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris (intramuros) | €700–1,100 | €1,000–1,600 | Encadrement loyers; strong dossier |
| Paris suburbs / IDF | €500–800 | €750–1,200 | RER/metro; check neighbourhood safety |
| Lyon / Lille / Bordeaux | €400–650 | €600–950 | Good value for money |
| Toulouse / Montpellier / Nantes | €350–550 | €550–850 | Large student communities |
| Strasbourg / Grenoble | €350–500 | €500–750 | Frequent Erasmus |
| Small provincial town | €250–400 | €400–600 | Less tense market |
Lease and rights
- Bail non meublé: minimum 3 years (private individual landlord); dépôt max 2 months’ rent.
- Bail meublé: minimum 1 year; dépôt max 1 month’s rent; mandatory furniture inventory.
- Bail mobilité / bail étudiant: more flexible for short stays — check maximum duration.
- Loyer charges comprises (CC) vs hors charges (HC) — clarify charges locatives.
- Encadrement des loyers: in Paris and other zones — check loyer de référence.
Guarantees (caution locative)
| Type | Who | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visale | < 30 years, first bail in France | Free — visale.fr |
| Garant (caution solidaire) | Parent / relative | Income in France often required |
| Garantme / SmartGarant | If no garant | Annual fee |
| Caution bancaire | Blocked funds | Rare, costly |
Documents to rent
- Dossier locataire: ID, school certificate, guarantors, recent statements/scholarships.
- Justificatif de domicile — For bank/CAF after moving in.
- Attestation d’hébergement — If staying with a third party (with host documents).
Utilities and assurance
- Électricité / gaz: EDF, Engie, TotalEnergies — compare offers (often open market).
- Eau: Often included in charges.
- Internet: Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues — fibre where available.
- Assurance habitation — Mandatory for tenants; covers fire, RC, water damage.
- Prélèvement — Direct debit on RIB; check first months.
CAF (APL)
- APL / ALS — Rent subsidy after NIR, contract, and domicile in France.
- Online application on caf.fr with FranceConnect.
- Timing: first payment may arrive after weeks — keep a buffer.
Flatmates
- Written agreement: charges, cleaning, guests, duration, deposit.
- One name on the bail: others have no full tenant rights — consider colocation with all signatories.
- Photo état des lieux on move-in.
Useful links
Sources
Propriétaire all'étranger + virement urgent = classical arnaque.
Quick reference
Paris: historic housing crisis. Cheap CROUS but long lists. Private: incomplete dossier = zero responses. Visale replaces Garant in many cases.
Student housing
CROUS
Rooms €150–400 depending on city. Priority for fellows. Annual renewal.
Private market
Standard colocation. Garant me France / Visale for students without FR income.
- Visale
- CROUS
- Studapart
Lease and rent
Contract
Areas and neighborhoods
Hazardous
Utilities and what rent includes
Charges
Electricity often EDF; separate internet. Taxe habitation often not for primary students.
Deep dive (optional)
Go deeper
Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.
Lease types (summary)
| Type | Note |
|---|---|
| Unfurnished / furnished | Different statutory durations and deposit rules—check current law |
| Service charges | Only recoverable charges can be billed—verify the annex |
| Guarantees | State-backed Visale for many students; paid guarantor services exist |
Tenant information
Energy
End of tenancy
Notice periods (préavis), check-in/out inventories, and deposit returns—keep dated evidence.
This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.
Official sources and verification
5 HTTPS sources are already linked where they are used in the guide.