Renting in France: the essentials

Last update: October 2026

You are coming to study in France? Here is what a landlord can ask, what they cannot, and how to get a home faster.

1. Prepare your file before you arrive

In big cities, good homes go in a few days. Build your CYRUSS passport from your home country: it is ready the day you land, and you share it with one link.

2. What a landlord can ask you

French law (decree 2015-1437) sets a closed list. For a student, usually:

• Your ID: passport, and your visa or residence permit (a long-stay student visa, VLS-TS, counts).
• Proof of your situation: student card, certificate of enrolment or admission letter.
• Proof of resources: scholarship certificate, regular transfers from your family, payslips if you work.
• Your guarantor's documents, if you have one.

3. What a landlord cannot ask you

• Your bank statements, or a letter saying your account is « well kept ».
• A photo of you (other than the one on your ID).
• Your social security card, medical file or criminal record.
• Your marriage certificate.
• A cheque or any payment to « reserve » the home.

If someone asks for these, you can say no.

4. Your guarantor

A guarantor promises to pay if you cannot. Three options:

• Someone close: a parent or relative. They can live abroad: in CYRUSS they get their own link to add their documents. Some landlords prefer a guarantor living in France.
• Visale: a free guarantee from the French State, open to people under 30. Check if you are eligible on visale.fr.
• A guarantee company: a paid service that stands as your guarantor.

5. Money: what to expect

• Deposit: at most 1 month of rent (without charges) for an unfurnished home, 2 months for a furnished one.
• Agency fees: capped by law, and never more than what the landlord pays.
• Home insurance: you must insure your home. Ask for the certificate when you sign.
• Housing aid: students with a valid residence permit can often get help from the CAF. Apply as soon as you move in.

6. Avoid scams

• Never pay before visiting the home (or a video visit) and signing the lease.
• Never send money through a transfer service to someone « abroad ».
• Don't send your documents by e-mail to strangers: share your CYRUSS link, you can cut access at any time.

7. Moving in

On the day you get the keys, you and the landlord fill in the « état des lieux » (check-in report): the state of each room. Take photos. It protects your deposit when you leave.

No French papers? Your file can still be certified

Your foreign documents stay « provided ». But with your passport and a short selfie check, your CYRUSS passport can reach Certified, the highest level a landlord sees.

CYRUSS never decides for the landlord, and never refuses you automatically: when something is unclear, a person from our team looks at it.

Get the CYRUSS app · Questions: info@cyruss.ai