Paris is unlike other cities; it is a city thriving with life and to live in its centre is to become part of that life. On the other hand, if you’re arriving with three children and a minivan, you might consider living in one of the suburbs where you’ll find larger houses with gardens. There will be space, parking, quiet and increased safety, and with high quality public transport it’s usually only a short train ride to the Louvre. Of course, this isn’t always the case and if enjoying Paris is important for you and your family, consider your new home’s proximity to public transport.

Your rent usually includes water and building maintenance. In theory, the landlord is responsible for the upkeep of the apartment itself. This does not, however, extend to appliances that may come with the apartment. For example, if you move into a studio which includes a refrigerator and it breaks down two months into your stay, you’re responsible for replacing it.

If you have gas heating the cost is shared between the tenants and is dramatically less expensive than electric heating. All other utilities are paid for separately and individually, but air conditioning is rare in Paris. Occasionally, parking is included in the rent but very infrequently.

A standard rental contract for an unfurnished apartment is three years. Don’t be frightened by the seemingly long duration of the lease. French law always favours the ‘little guy’ and as a tenant that’s you; the long duration of your lease exists to protect you from the landlord. If you want out, simply give three months’ notice and you’re free. And if you’re transferred with your job, you only need one month’s notice and a letter from your employer. If, however, the landlord wants you out he needs to wait for the full term of the lease. If, at the end of three years, the landlord wants you out they will need to send you a letter six months before the end of the lease. If there’s no letter, the three years is automatically renewed. These laws apply only to unfurnished apartments. If you rent a furnished apartment the lease is one year. To leave early you must give a month’s notice. At the end of one year the lease is automatically renewed.

Rent is paid monthly and is automatically deducted from your bank account. Negotiating your rent is, in most instances, unheard of. There is such high demand for apartments in Paris that landlords have their pick of tenants and because laws favour the tenant so heavily, landlords are very careful about choosing their prospective tenants. In addition to your rent you’ll need to pay a security deposit which is usually two months’ rent.

A good place to look for apartments that don’t carry an agency fee is the weekly publication De Particulier à Particulier, an excellent source for independent owners to sell or rent their property. You can also search the website which is available in English at www.pap.fr. FUSAC is a monthly English language collection of advertisements which includes a large selection of apartments for rent or sale. Depending upon your budget you may also find apartments advertised in the International Herald Tribune but these tend to be at the upper end of the scale. The website www.paris.craigslist.org has also become an excellent place to find apartments to rent, both short and long term as well as sublets and roommate situations. Another excellent resource is www.seloger.co.uk.

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