For the jurisdiction to be easier, most of the individual lessors and basic real estate agencies in France will only accept a French guarantor. In this case, you can’t rent from them, except if you find a French guarantor.
However, most of the newer websites such as Studapart, Spot a home, Paris Attitude, and Feel Français... specializing in foreign students, will post only offers that accept alternatives to the French guarantor. Some have even created their own guarantee company such as Studapart. You need to buy their guarantee to be able to book any flat on their website.
First, what is a guarantor in France? A guarantor is a third party, such as a parent or close relative. He will be the one to pay your rent if you can not do it. You need to find a guarantor in France, it is often required to rent an apartment.
Finding a guarantor to rent accommodation when you are a student, can be a challenge.
Don’t worry, we are here to introduce you to the requirements needed to have a guarantor in France and other options that exist now if you don’t have one, for you to find the solution that fits you best.
1. The traditional guarantor in France
The first option is to find a “traditional” guarantor which in the case of renting an apartment in France is a French guarantor.
Some agencies accept European and sometimes even international guarantors but that is not mandatory for them to do.
A guarantor allows you to pay for your apartment monthly with just one month deposit.
In France, your guarantor needs to meet certain criteria:
- Agencies accept a guarantor who earns around 3 to 4 times one month’s rent each month (depending on the city)
- If your guarantor doesn’t earn enough, sometimes a second one can be accepted but they both need to earn at least €2000/month
If you don’t have a guarantor, some agencies accept you to pay your rent in advance, in most cases, 3 to 6 months’ rent in advance, every 3 to 6 months.
However, other solutions exist now to help you rent student accommodation and find a guarantor.
2. Garantme
GarantMe acts as your guarantor during your stay in France. To check if you are eligible and can subscribe to their service, you have to compile their file online. Then they analyze it in 24 hours, certify the documents and issue a deposit that will protect the lessor’s income, up to 36 000 €, for the duration of the lease and its renewals.
To save time, we advise you to make the request now, so that your tenant file is ready when you find your accommodation (if your accommodation accepts the Garantme guarantee).
How does it work?
- To be eligible, you need to have enough revenues or financial resources to pay your rent or find a sponsor who has enough revenues or financial resources. Resources can be abroad and they can be saved.
- You pay 4.5% (only 4% with the promo code) of your rent for the rental period as the Garantme fee (with a minimum fee of €150/year) or 5,5% if you are in a flatshare.
- Promotion code : FEELFRANCAISPROMO.
Ex: for a rent of €500€ and a term lease of 12 months.
The annual price is 500*12*4% = €240 (€15 per month).
You must have noted under “Coverage by Garantme and the insurer” (on the right side of the certificate) the total amount of the rent for the apartment (even if you divide the rent in case of flatshare with a commune lease).
To contact them: [email protected]
3. Garantie Visale
Garantie Visale is a 100% free solution that will open doors for you.
VISALE is a deposit given by Action Logement to the tenant who pays the rent and the rental charges of the principal residence in case of a payment default.
In order to benefit from it, you have to submit a visa application. Then, if the renter accepts the demand, you have the guarantee that you will not have to pay any other deposit.
It’s reassuring for the owner with Visale, the owner is secure in perceiving his rental income during the length of the rent.
You can assess your situation at any time. Indeed, your data and documents are available on your account.
However, the rent must be maximum of 1500€ in Île de France or a maximum of 1300€ in the rest of the territory.
How does it work?
- You have to be between 18 to 30 years old, no matter your financial situation
- You need to have your French visa already to apply
- The rental price should not exceed 1300€ in France (excluded Paris) and 1500€ in Paris
- It should not be covered by other guarantees (personal guarantee or insurance), not concluded between members of the same family and in case of colocation, it should be individualized for each roommate
The lease must be signed after obtaining the Visale guarantee contract (and before the end of the validity of the tenant’s visa).
More information is available at https://www.visale.fr/
Most of the students think they first need to find a guarantor and then a flat, but it’s the opposite because the flat you choose will let you know what type of guarantor they accept.
So what are the steps to book a flat?
- Choose a flat
- Check the guarantee asked for, they may offer you different options.
- If you need to apply to a guarantee website, do it
- Apply for your accommodation with the guarantee document(s)
Students residences groups in Paris + the type of guarantors they accept
Estudines: French or international guarantor or Garantme
Studélites: French guarantor or Garantme
Logifac: French/European guarantor or VISALE
Fac Habitat: French/European guarantor or VISALE or Garantme
Kosy: French guarantor or Garantme or 3 months’ rent of deposit to be paid in advance (one month refundable if no damage and the 2 other months will replace your 2 last rents)
Odalys: French guarantor or 2 months of deposit instead of one or Garantme
What to know?
– You can pause your application for 15 days. Information is saved. After that, your request is automatically canceled and you need to do a new one
– When you upload documents, it is a maximum of 5MB and you must name them
– You receive it within 2 days after application and it’s valid for 6 months for students or 3 months. After that, you need to redo your request
– If you want to modify it, you need to cancel it to redo it. One request at a time but if you already have an active VISALE and are asking for a new one because you want to change flat, it works
– In the case of flatshare, each roommate needs to make a request. If you are more than 3 flatmates, you all need your accommodation contract
In case you need more advice, check out our article about how to find accommodation in France. You can also see our tips to avoid scams!
Don’t hesitate to book your free appointment so we can prepare together your arrival in France!
3 responses
Bonjour, je suis un entrepreneur non-résident, je souhaite acheter une ferme. J’ai besoin d’un garant français pour obtenir un prêt. Votre établissement peut-il travailler avec moi ?