The first thing a student usually worries about right after getting that acceptance from the university they applied to is where they will stay. The main questions asked revolving around this topic are: How do I find it? Can I get help paying my rent? If that student is you, then this article is for you
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As a student living in France your accommodation options are many. You have the choice of living in either a publicly or privately owned building. You also have the option of cohabiting with another student or just living alone. Living with a family or a local resident is also another option.
Students are usually advised to start the accommodation search early so as not to experience hiccups days before departure. Usually, the staff at the university or school you have been accepted to are more than willing to help you with the search. Most institutions in France usually have a relationship with home owners which makes it easier for the student to find a place to live really quickly.
To break it down, international students need to understand that there are two basic forms of housing accessible to them.
- Student residences and hostels. There are several advantages to housing designed specifically for students or young people: lower rents, furnished rooms, and a built-in social life—all valuable commodities.
- Rooms and apartments rented on the real-estate market, either through an agency or directly from an individual property owner. Many who take this route share space with other students or rent a room in a local household.
With the exception of CROUS (in the case of housing for recipients of French government scholarships), Campus France has no partnerships with any entity offering student housing or related services. The entities mentioned in this article are cited to assist you in your search.
What Are Your Options?
STUDENT RESIDENCES AND HOSTELSUNIVERSITY RESIDENCE HALLS MANAGED BY CROUS
The residences managed by France’s regional centers for student services, known as CROUS (centres régionaux des œuvres universitaires et scolaires), are publicly owned and subsidized by the French government. CROUS is normally the go to for a lot of students solemnly based on the advantages they offer: The rent is fairly low (between €400 - €500 in Paris; between €200 - €300 on average elsewhere in France) and the occupants of this system qualify for housing assistance from CAF (France’s family assistance fund); the buildings are often close to campus and interaction amongst students is in plenty. The only downside about this option is that they are very hard to get since their demand is high.
OBTAINING A ROOM IN A CROUS RESIDENCE HALL
1. The application procedure for universal understudies changes relying upon whether they are on a conventional trade program or they are free movers.
• Free movers: To ask for a booking of convenience in a college living arrangement overseen by the CROUS, international students must go through the stage trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr from July 9, 2020. You will discover all the data and you have to pick your settlement in a CROUS home.
• Students on a conventional trade program or Erasmus +: it is the international relations service of your host foundation that deals with booking of your settlement and sending you the steps to follow.
• Scholarship holders overseen by Campus France: Campus France is responsible for booking your accommodation and sending you the procedures.
For the last two cases, it is not necessary that you directly contact CROUS.
2. Contact your university and inquire if they have an outstanding agreement with CROUS concerning housing.
3. Lokaviz lists all of the units available in CROUS residences, as well as space offered by individual property owners. There’s no cost to review the posted vacancies. All of the units listed on the site have earned the Lokaviz label, so students can be sure they’re renting decent housing.
THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RESIDENCE OF PARIS
Located in the 14e arrondissement of Paris, the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CIUP) is a sprawling collection of university residences that house nearly 6,000 students, scholars, scientists, artists, and athletes from all over the world.
The rents for the rooms vary depend on the services provided, the occupant’s age and the time they will spend there.
N.B: To live in one of these, one must be enrolled in an institution situated in Paris. They should also be doing either their Masters or above. Find out more about this system here.
STUDENT RESIDENCES OWNED AND MANAGED BY PRIVATE COMPANIES
If you do not manage to get a room through CROUS, getting a privately owned and operated student building is a great alternative. However, here, rents are fairly higher than CROUS.
To better understand this set up; have a look at the following websites: PARME, Suitétudes, Les Estudines, NEXITY Studéa, Fac-Habitat, Cardinal Campus, Néoresid, Kley, Student Factory.
These are establishments often run by religious organisations. The hostels usually offer accommodation to people between the ages of 18 to 25. One has the choice of choosing either a single sex or mixed hostel.
Young workers, however, are given first priority in this case (those in apprenticeship, work-study, or practical training) then students who are interning. This does not mean if you do not fall under this bracket, you cannot apply. Rooms are less expensive here. Price ranges between €500 in Paris; €250 elsewhere. Want to learn more? Visit the following sites; national union of student houses, the association of youth residences and hostels, and the national union for youth housing.
Real estate is another option that is available to students who fail to get rooms in student residences or hostels. You have the option of renting an apartment by yourself or finding a room in an apartment or house.
PRIVATE APARTMENTS AND SHARED RENTALS
Students who choose to live alone have the option of renting an apartment. Rent is around €800 in Paris and €400 and outside of Paris.
If you would like to rent an apartment from a property owner without having to go through an agency, have a look at these sites De Particulier à Particulier and Le Bon Coin. To find notices of apartments offered by real-estate agencies, check Se Loger or, for Paris specifically, Lodgis.
Most students prefer renting a large apartment and share with other students. This is done in a bid to share costs and split bills that would usually not be affordable to one student. Get more information about this set up here: appartager, roomlala, immojeune, and la carte des colocs
This is normally an option for international students who would like to better their French and fully experience the French culture.
Ideally, a student would be accorded their own room in a house or apartment as they expound their French knowledge every day. Does this sound like something for you? Learn more about it here; CoHomly, or, for Paris only, France Stay.
There is also the option of cohabiting with seniors who are willing to offer their home in return for the student’s presence mostly during evening hours and overnight.
To learn more, visit the site of the nonprofit Ensemble 2 générations and of the network réseau CoSI, where CoSI stands for intergenerational cohabitation for mutual benefit.
GOT ACCOMODATION, WHAT NEXT?GATHERING YOUR DOCUMENTATION
What documents are required of you depending on the type of accommodation you have settled for?
· Your ID card,
· Your residency permit (e.g., VLS-TS) if you are in France on a nonresident visa
· Your student card and proof of enrollment for the current year,
· A letter from your guarantor and proof of the guarantor’s identity.
Finding a guarantor
Who is a guarantor? This is someone who generally provides security on your behalf. He or she agrees to pay your rent in the event that you are not able to for whatever reason. In France, most people are able to list down a guarantor. It is very important that you know that your guarantor MUST be French.
What happens if I do not have one? In this case, you could have a look at the VISALE system which simply provides rental guarantees if you are renting an apartment or room in a university residence.
Another option you have is the Garant Me just in case the landlord does not accept the VISALE or you are not eligible.
Signing the lease or rental agreement
Life in your new lodgings begins when you and the property owner sign a lease or rental agreement—a bail or contrat de location—setting forth the conditions under which you have the right to occupy the unit. The following are among the provisions in the rental agreement:
· The amount of the rent and charges (if charges are assessed).
· The amount of the security deposit. The security deposit is a sum that your landlord may require you to advance to cover any damage to the property that may occur during your tenancy. The amount is generally equal to a month’s rent (by law, it cannot be higher). The security deposit will be refunded to you if you leave the unit in the same condition in which you found it when you moved in.
· The notice period. If you decide to leave your lodging, you must notify your landlord in advance—generally, a month in advance. For example, if you plan to leave on July 1, you must give notice no later than June 1, and you must do it by registered mail with confirmation of receipt.
You should be prepared to pay the first month’s rent and security deposit upon signing the rental agreement.