1) Prepare your dossier before beginning your flat-hunting
◘Your security deposit
You will undoubtedly be asked for a security deposit if your income is low.
So you must have a guarantor (or a surety). This involves the commitment by a third party to pay the rent to the landlord in the event of the tenant being unable to pay it him/herself.
If you have no guarantor or surety, you can apply for the loca-pass security loan. (see above).
◘ The required documentation
The original documents required when the lease is signed should be photocopied and submitted along with the dossier :
photocopy of your identity card
photocopies of your last four pay slips and, if necessary, a photocopy of your last tax assessment
You bank or post office account details
A statement from your employer, where appropriate
You must provide your own documents and those of any co-tenant or partner who will be living there with you. Don’t forget to include the same documents for your guarantor(s).
2) Submit your dossier
As competition is fierce, landlords are often able to choose from amongst several tenants and so you should submit your dossier to enable the landlord to study them all.
3) Sign the lease
◘Bring with you the originals of all the documents listed above
◘Please be aware! You must have the insurance certificate for the flat that you are going to rent when the lease is signed.
There are two possibilities :
You are already the tenant. Any change of situation must be declared to your insurer : this is the principle of the requirement to provide notification of new circumstances. How to go about it
You are not the tenant but you have compulsory liability insurance with an insurer. In this case, you can call them and see what they suggest. You can also shop around for other insurance policies.
For further information about home insurance for tenants or co-tenants visit : http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/
The landlord or the agency might give certain undertakings :
that they will carry out any repairs
that they will be responsible for any renovation work, in exchange for a specified rent-free period
◘ Ask to have everything confirmed clearly in writing and preferably added as an attachment to the lease
4) Payments
◘This is the point at which you must pay:
commission, if you used an agency
the 1st month’s rent
the security deposit (the security deposit amounts to one month’s rent, excluding charges).
When the lease expires, the deposit will be returned, in whole or in part, within 2 months of the tenant handing back the keys. The landlord may retain from the security deposit the amount required to repair any damage or any other sums which the tenant may owe.
5) The inventory
Before the tenant moves in, an inventory is produced. It is free.
Take someone along with you to see all details which should be recorded in respect of the condition of the premises (holes in walls, chipped sink...) : should the inventory produced when you leave the flat reveal any deterioration which was not mentioned in the initial inventory, you may be billed for it.