Accommodation in Paris
Paris is a densely packed city, and each of its neighbourhoods has a distinct flavour and personality. However in terms of access Paris' public transport infrastructure is one of the most dense 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 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.
Arrondissement 1, is the isle on which the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old City of Paris make their home. The city springs outwards in a spiral from arrondissement 1-20, meaning the number gives a solid clue to the a real location within the city. The lower the number of the arrondissement the closer to the centre of the city it is.
Every area of Paris has its history. The 1st arrondissement contains the ancient City of Lutetia which was occupied by the Romans, and now houses the world famous Musee Louvre . The 2nd, the 8th with the Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe and the 9th with Galleries Lafayette department store, form the business core of Paris. The 3rd and 4th share the strongly Jewish and Gay flavoured Le Marais containing the Picasso Museum. The 6th has some fine eateries and the 7th houses many of the worlds great fashion brands such as Chanel and Versace. The 7th 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.
Furnished apartments are plentiful in Paris and can be rented short term. Hotels can be had for as little as €30-60 per night, but expect to pay cleaning fees. An expat looking for a two bedroom furnished apartment in the 1st - 4th arrondissements will pay around €2,000 - €3,000 per month. Shop around though, as it is 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 is worth looking in the19th, 15th, and 13th arrondissements and outside of the city proper.
Unfurnished rentals are a cheaper option, starting at about €1,500 for two bedrooms. 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 for as little as €500 per month. 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 get an apartment in Paris because you have to prove you earn at least three times the rent and 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 salary slips and French bank account details. A full inventory of apartment's condition should be taken on arrival. If the inventory on departure shows no damage then the full deposit should be returned. The deposit for an apartment is usually a full months rent with the expectation tenants will provide two months rent in advance over the deposit. A tenant wishing to leave a rented property must provide at least 3 months notice to the landlord. A clause can be negotiated to make the required notice period shorter.
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 6 months before 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 to be done when first arriving.
Arrondissement 1, is the isle on which the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old City of Paris make their home. The city springs outwards in a spiral from arrondissement 1-20, meaning the number gives a solid clue to the a real location within the city. The lower the number of the arrondissement the closer to the centre of the city it is.
Every area of Paris has its history. The 1st arrondissement contains the ancient City of Lutetia which was occupied by the Romans, and now houses the world famous Musee Louvre . The 2nd, the 8th with the Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe and the 9th with Galleries Lafayette department store, form the business core of Paris. The 3rd and 4th share the strongly Jewish and Gay flavoured Le Marais containing the Picasso Museum. The 6th has some fine eateries and the 7th houses many of the worlds great fashion brands such as Chanel and Versace. The 7th 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.Furnished apartments are plentiful in Paris and can be rented short term. Hotels can be had for as little as €30-60 per night, but expect to pay cleaning fees. An expat looking for a two bedroom furnished apartment in the 1st - 4th arrondissements will pay around €2,000 - €3,000 per month. Shop around though, as it is 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 is worth looking in the19th, 15th, and 13th arrondissements and outside of the city proper.
Unfurnished rentals are a cheaper option, starting at about €1,500 for two bedrooms. 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 for as little as €500 per month. 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 get an apartment in Paris because you have to prove you earn at least three times the rent and 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 salary slips and French bank account details. A full inventory of apartment's condition should be taken on arrival. If the inventory on departure shows no damage then the full deposit should be returned. The deposit for an apartment is usually a full months rent with the expectation tenants will provide two months rent in advance over the deposit. A tenant wishing to leave a rented property must provide at least 3 months notice to the landlord. A clause can be negotiated to make the required notice period shorter.
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 6 months before 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 to be done when first arriving.
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