How to Find Housing in France (2026)
Jules de Bruin
Editor
Updated: June 2026 | Found helpful by 4 others
- Expats
- Residents
As of 2026, to rent a home in France you search on SeLoger, Leboncoin, PAP, or through an agence, then build a rental dossier (pièce d'identité, justificatif de domicile, three latest bulletins de salaire, and your dernier avis d'imposition), often with a garant. You pay a dépôt de garantie of one month's rent (unfurnished) or up to two months (furnished), sign the bail, and complete the état des lieux. Many tenants then claim APL housing aid from the CAF and use the free Visale guarantor.
Key takeaways
- Search on SeLoger, Leboncoin, PAP, or via a local agence immobilière.
- Your dossier needs ID, proof of address, three bulletins de salaire, and your avis d'imposition.
- The dépôt de garantie is one month's rent unfurnished, up to two months furnished.
- The bail runs 3 years unfurnished and 1 year furnished, with an état des lieux on entry.
- The free Visale guarantee and APL from the CAF can replace a garant and cut your rent.
Where do you search for a rental?
There are four main routes. The big portals are SeLoger, Leboncoin (the largest classifieds site), and PAP (Particulier à Particulier), where owners list directly without agency fees. The fourth route is a local agence immobilière, which handles viewings and paperwork but charges frais d'agence.
In tight markets like Paris and Lyon, good listings move in hours. Have your dossier ready as a single PDF before you start, set up alerts, and be ready to attend a visite quickly.
What goes in a rental dossier?
The dossier de location is the file that proves you can pay. Landlords typically ask for a pièce d'identité (ID or passport), a justificatif de domicile (proof of your current address), your three latest bulletins de salaire (payslips), your work contract, and your dernier avis d'imposition (latest tax assessment). Self-employed applicants substitute their avis d'imposition and recent accounts.
Most landlords want income of about three times the rent and a garant (guarantor) who supplies the same documents. The list of documents a landlord may legally request is fixed by decree, so a landlord cannot demand items outside it. The ANIL publishes the official list.
No personal garant? Use Visale
How much is the deposit?
The dépôt de garantie (security deposit) is capped by law. For an unfurnished rental it is one month's rent excluding charges (hors charges). For a furnished rental it can be up to two months' rent. The landlord returns it within one month if the exit état des lieux matches the entry one, or two months if there are deductions.
Separately, frais d'agence charged to the tenant are capped by law and indexed to the local rental zone, and they cannot exceed the share paid by the landlord. There is no agency fee when you rent directly from an owner on PAP or Leboncoin.
What is the bail and the état des lieux?
The bail (lease) sets the legal terms. An unfurnished lease runs three years (renewable), while a furnished lease runs one year (or nine months for a student). As a tenant you can usually give notice of three months (one month in many zones tendues or for furnished rentals).
At move-in you sign the état des lieux d'entrée, a detailed inventory of the property's condition. It is compared to the état des lieux de sortie when you leave to decide what, if anything, is deducted from your deposit. France also requires assurance habitation (home insurance) before you get the keys, and you give the attestation to the landlord. See our home insurance guide.
Photograph the état des lieux
What housing aid can you get?
The CAF (Caisse d'allocations familiales) pays housing aid: APL (aide personnalisée au logement) for eligible dwellings, or ALS (allocation de logement sociale) for others, including many students. The amount depends on your income, your rent, and your household. You apply on caf.fr after you sign the lease, and the aid is paid monthly, sometimes directly to the landlord.
For the guarantor side, Action Logement runs the free Visale guarantee, which covers unpaid rent for eligible tenants and can also help with the avance Loca-Pass to fund your deposit.
Sources: service-public.fr (location, dépôt de garantie, bail), the CAF (APL/ALS), and ANIL (tenant rights), as of 2026. The deposit caps and lease durations above are set by law; verify current eligibility and amounts on the official sites and with your landlord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner rent an apartment in France?
Yes. A foreigner can rent in France with a valid ID or passport, proof of income, and usually a garant or the free Visale guarantee. Landlords cannot legally refuse you on the basis of nationality, but they do assess your ability to pay the rent.
What documents do you need to rent in France?
A French rental dossier usually contains a pièce d'identité, a justificatif de domicile, your three latest bulletins de salaire, your work contract, and your dernier avis d'imposition. Many landlords also ask for a garant who provides the same documents.
How much deposit do you pay to rent in France?
The dépôt de garantie is capped at one month's rent excluding charges for an unfurnished rental, and up to two months' rent for a furnished rental. The landlord must return it within one or two months after you leave, depending on the état des lieux.
What is the Visale guarantee?
Visale is a free state-backed guarantor scheme run by Action Logement. It covers unpaid rent and charges for eligible tenants, so you can rent without a personal garant. You request a visa Visale online before you sign the bail.
Can you get housing aid as a tenant in France?
Yes. The CAF pays APL or ALS housing aid based on your income, rent, and household. You apply on caf.fr after you sign the lease, and the aid is paid monthly, sometimes directly to the landlord.