Ask Karen: Apartment Hunting in Paris
Dear Barbara,
Finding the perfect apartment in Paris is not easy, but with a little will and a lot of patience it can be done.
Here are a few hints that may make your search easier:
· Particulier à Particulier (a weekly journal that comes out every Thursday morning devoted to real-estate in France) and Tuesday's Le Figaro, have the best apartment listings. You might also try FUSAC (an expatriate classified paper found in many Anglo-phone establishments in Paris). Word of mouth is always the best but do plan on pounding the pavement with agents and be prepared to pay the agency a one-month "finder's" fee.
· Identity your quartier and visit the real estate agencies in the area. Don't be shocked if you end up looking at the same apartment, as many people list with more that one agency - not that you'll know it from the apartment's description.
· Do not assume a real estate agency will get back to you should they have a new listing. Pop in frequently. French agents tend not to be like American agents who may call no matter the hour to advise you of a new apartment that has just hit the market.
· Start your search early in the morning as many of the best apartments go quickly.
· Put applications in for the all of the ones you like most; if you hesitate your apartment might be gone.
· DO NOT -- DO NOT assume that the owners will automatically ACCEPT you. Renting in France is not easy, especially if you do not have an income in France as of yet, or a Carte de Séjour.
· Do not be surprised if you're asked to pay the full rent in advance or have a French resident cosign your lease. Because the law makes it difficult for landlords to evict tenants, (it can take months, if not years) to get a court order, the French are usually extremely cautious when it comes to renting to foreigners.
Conversely, many French owners love renting to expats who are coming to Paris on assignment. Their companies are prepared to sign leases and will make improvements (including installing a kitchen) so their employees are happy.
It goes without saying that the owner is able to rent the property for substantially more after the expat moves on to another assignment.
· If you are renting from an individual, some appreciate being paid in cash. There are negatives to this arrangement but it can "sweeten the pie."
· Get the longest lease possible. If you rent an unfurnished apartment in France you will have to sign a three-year lease. However, you can break the lease with three months notice if you want and with less than a month's notice if you are transferred or have to leave town because you are relocated. With a furnished rental (this might mean there's only a bed) the owner has the right to kick you out after a year.
I wish you the best of luck in finding your new home in Paris. Please let me know how it works out.
Best,
Karen
