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.