Accommodation in Paris
Paris is a densely packed city, and each of its neighbourhoods has a distinct flavour and personality. Expats searching for accommodation should suss out the vibe of each respective area before choosing where to securing housing.
Paris is organized in arrondissements, or districts. The lower the number of the arrondissement, the closer to the centre of the city it is.
Interestingly enough, Paris' public transport infrastructure is one of the densest in the world. This means it can be more difficult to find a place off the grid than on it. Choice of location is more a matter of price and taste than transit convenience.
Facilities in Paris are one of the most important measures of an apartment’s quality. For instance, it can be worth paying more for an apartment that is individually heated. Some landlords will turn off a buildings heating when they go to bed, leaving any night owl tenants to shiver.
Furnished apartments are plentiful in Paris and can be rented short term. An expat looking for a two bedroom furnished apartment in the 1st - 4th arrondissements will pay around €2,000 to €3,000 per month. Shop around though, as it’s possible to find a two bedroom apartment for as little as €1,100, but expect it to be cramped. A single bedroom can be had for as little as €800. For better deals ,it’s worth looking in the19th, 15th, and 13th arrondissements or outside of the city proper.
Unfurnished rentals are a cheaper option, starting at about €1,500 for a two bedroom apartment. The cheapest areas can be found in the north of Paris, with the south recently becoming more expensive due to gentrification.
Flat sharing is the cheapest way to live in Paris, and can cost as little as €500 per month per person.
Purchasing a place can be as little as €100,000 for a small studio apartment in Le Marais, and as much as €2,000,000 for a large apartment in the Latin Quarter.
It can be difficult to for expats to secure an apartment in Paris because you have to prove you earn at least three times the amount of the rent and you must show a variety of documents. A few landlords prefer foreigners, so expats will be first in line for some apartments. Most often, French people prefer doing business with friends first and strangers after. There are often thirty or forty people applying for the same place and the landlord is likely to choose a person he thinks he can trust.
Apartments are usually advertised by the placement of an address and time of viewing. Expect to provide a passport, a national identity card, three months of salary slips and French bank account details. A full inventory of apartment's condition should be taken on arrival.
The deposit for an apartment is usually a full month of rent with the expectation tenants will provide two months of rent in advance in addition to this amount.
A tenant wishing to leave a rented property must provide at least three months notice to the landlord. A clause can be negotiated to make the required notice period shorter. If the inventory on departure shows no damage then the full deposit should be returned.
The law in France is tenant friendly, meaning that evicting a tenant or raising rent on a property can be a difficult task for a landlord. When raising the rent, a letter must be sent to the tenant at least six months prior to the occasion, informing them of the landlord’s intentions. The landlord also has to show that the rental increase is in line with market valuations of the apartment.
It is required by law to purchase an inexpensive rental insurance which will provide cover against theft, fire and any damage to the communal areas of buildings. If there are any problems the local town hall will provide information on the rights and options due to the tenant. Registering where one lives is important, and should be a priority upon securing a property.
Arrondissement 1 is the isle on which the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old City of Paris can be found. The city springs outwards in a spiral from arrondissement 1 to 20, the number of the district giving a clue to the real location.
Every area of Paris has its history. The first arrondissement contains the ancient City of Lutetia which was occupied by the Romans, and now houses the world famous Louvre Museum . The second and the eighth are characterized by Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, and the ninth by the world famous Galeries Lafayette department store; together they form the business core of Paris.
The third and fourth arrondissements share strongly Jewish and Gay flavour, and are known as Le Marais. The sixth has some fine eateries, and the seventh houses many of the world’s great fashion brands such as Chanel and Versace. The seventh features the Eiffel Tower, which is the city's most visible and recognizable symbol, and Le Bon Marché, the world first department store.
La Defense, just outside the city of Paris, is the newest business hub in the region.
Paris is organized in arrondissements, or districts. The lower the number of the arrondissement, the closer to the centre of the city it is.
Interestingly enough, Paris' public transport infrastructure is one of the densest in the world. This means it can be more difficult to find a place off the grid than on it. Choice of location is more a matter of price and taste than transit convenience.
Facilities in Paris are one of the most important measures of an apartment’s quality. For instance, it can be worth paying more for an apartment that is individually heated. Some landlords will turn off a buildings heating when they go to bed, leaving any night owl tenants to shiver.
Furnished vs. unfurnished apartments
Furnished apartments are plentiful in Paris and can be rented short term. An expat looking for a two bedroom furnished apartment in the 1st - 4th arrondissements will pay around €2,000 to €3,000 per month. Shop around though, as it’s possible to find a two bedroom apartment for as little as €1,100, but expect it to be cramped. A single bedroom can be had for as little as €800. For better deals ,it’s worth looking in the19th, 15th, and 13th arrondissements or outside of the city proper.
Unfurnished rentals are a cheaper option, starting at about €1,500 for a two bedroom apartment. The cheapest areas can be found in the north of Paris, with the south recently becoming more expensive due to gentrification.
Flat sharing is the cheapest way to live in Paris, and can cost as little as €500 per month per person.
Purchasing a place can be as little as €100,000 for a small studio apartment in Le Marais, and as much as €2,000,000 for a large apartment in the Latin Quarter.
How to find an apartment for rent in Paris
It can be difficult to for expats to secure an apartment in Paris because you have to prove you earn at least three times the amount of the rent and you must show a variety of documents. A few landlords prefer foreigners, so expats will be first in line for some apartments. Most often, French people prefer doing business with friends first and strangers after. There are often thirty or forty people applying for the same place and the landlord is likely to choose a person he thinks he can trust.
Rules for renting an apartment in Paris
Apartments are usually advertised by the placement of an address and time of viewing. Expect to provide a passport, a national identity card, three months of salary slips and French bank account details. A full inventory of apartment's condition should be taken on arrival.
The deposit for an apartment is usually a full month of rent with the expectation tenants will provide two months of rent in advance in addition to this amount.
A tenant wishing to leave a rented property must provide at least three months notice to the landlord. A clause can be negotiated to make the required notice period shorter. If the inventory on departure shows no damage then the full deposit should be returned.
The law in France is tenant friendly, meaning that evicting a tenant or raising rent on a property can be a difficult task for a landlord. When raising the rent, a letter must be sent to the tenant at least six months prior to the occasion, informing them of the landlord’s intentions. The landlord also has to show that the rental increase is in line with market valuations of the apartment.
It is required by law to purchase an inexpensive rental insurance which will provide cover against theft, fire and any damage to the communal areas of buildings. If there are any problems the local town hall will provide information on the rights and options due to the tenant. Registering where one lives is important, and should be a priority upon securing a property.
Areas of Paris
Arrondissement 1 is the isle on which the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old City of Paris can be found. The city springs outwards in a spiral from arrondissement 1 to 20, the number of the district giving a clue to the real location.
Every area of Paris has its history. The first arrondissement contains the ancient City of Lutetia which was occupied by the Romans, and now houses the world famous Louvre Museum . The second and the eighth are characterized by Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, and the ninth by the world famous Galeries Lafayette department store; together they form the business core of Paris.
The third and fourth arrondissements share strongly Jewish and Gay flavour, and are known as Le Marais. The sixth has some fine eateries, and the seventh houses many of the world’s great fashion brands such as Chanel and Versace. The seventh features the Eiffel Tower, which is the city's most visible and recognizable symbol, and Le Bon Marché, the world first department store.
La Defense, just outside the city of Paris, is the newest business hub in the region.
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