If you prefer going direct, then sites such as entreparticuliers.com are a good way to find a rental and there are also several sites catering specifically for ‘shorter’ long-term rentals from one month to a year. Spotahome created a list of documents you might need to rent an apartment in France. the total rental income befo… guide to renting a car in France. Everything is automated and prospective tenants can upload all their paperwork to gain pre-approved tenant status which makes the process more reassuring for both landlord and tenant. We have a large selection of properties for long-term and holiday rental, which you can view on our Rentals listing pages. Be reactive and as soon as you see something suitable, call the owner. This is a complementary guide to our Guide to Letting Property in France, which we have written for current and prospective landlords of rental properties. Taxable rental income is calculated under two regimes in France: revenus fonciers, applicable to income from land and unfurnished lettings; and Bénéfices Industriels et Commerciaux (BIC)applicable to income from furnished lettings, which is treated for calculation purposes as commercial income (although it is specifically investment income unless you are in a position to adopt a professional approach). In the main the guide focuses on the medium to long term lettings, as the regulations for holiday lettings are less strict than for properties let on an annual basis. As a tenant in France you have rights which are legally protected. If you are using a website or app to look for a property then do make sure you sign up for alerts which will notify you as soon as a suitable property comes online. You can try Le Bon Coin to check prices and see what is available and it is also well worth placing a wanted advert on there. Even if they don’t, agents are generally a good source of information about the local area and may well hear of something that would suit you via word of mouth. For example, while the landlord may keep a second set of keys, he or she is forbidden to enter the property without the tenant’s agreement. This is partly because the amount a household can earn in France before tax kicks in is much higher than in the UK. This covers agency work such as finding and showing you the property, sorting out the tenancy contract, and providing you with the keys. One thing that hasn’t changed much in France is the relatively high degree of protection that tenants enjoy, all of which is strictly regulated by law. As the owner of an apartment in France, you can rent out your apartment for short periods of up to 120 days a year if it’s your primary residence. Before you even start seriously looking for a property, you should get your dossier or application paperwork together. This period can also be extended at the government’s behest. Make paper copies ready to hand to prospective landlords and scan them onto your smartphone too. This rule applies for both unfurnished and furnished accommodation, provided the latter is the principal residence of the tenant. Review conditions should be specified in the contract. This provides security for both parties without the higher costs of traditional agency fees. Take your paperwork with you to show you are a serious and organised prospective tenant and ask any questions that you forgot on the phone! Inventory In the case of a couple living outside of the Ile de France the maximum income threshold is €25,930 (2014). When renting at an Avis airport location, commonly accepted forms of identification include: A round-trip airline ticket, e-ticket, or travel itinerary to or from the airport of rental, disclosing a return date and showing the renter's name; A valid U.S. passport or current U.S. military identification card. Although tax is due in both countries, you do not have to pay tax twice. Have any questions prepared and if you are interested, arrange to go and visit the property as soon as possible. Tenancy law is enforced before the courts. If you do not have access to a PCR test in the country you are travelling from you will be tested on your arrival. In this case, word of mouth is always the best way and start by asking at the local town hall or ‘mairie’ if they know of anything to rent in the area. This could include pay slips, tax return (‘avis d’imposition’), an employment contract or payment statements if you are receiving benefits. In areas of high demand, they can also afford to be picky when choosing their tenants. Copyright © French-Property.com (IFP Ltd.). Checking out websites like this and SeLoger will also provide an idea of the price difference between going via an agency as opposed to dealing with the owner directly. This even applies to ‘emergency’ situations such as water ingress and failure to comply is punishable by a fine of up to €15,000 and a year in prison. The guide has been written for those seeking to rent property in France on a medium to long term basis, as well as those seeking to rent holiday accommodation. Regulations applicable to furnished rentals in general in France; Rent setting: renewal, capping and revision; Long-term furnished rental lease (ALUR law) - 1 year tacitly renewable; List of required equipment for furnished rental; Mandatory real estate diagnoses for rentals; Appendices to the rental contract to be provided to the tenant Tenancy agreement This protects both parties against damage caused by the tenant or allegations of damage made by the landlord. and had a great experience. Always let a rental company know if you want to take a hire car across the sea – whether by ferry or by Eurotunnel. To send a link to this page you must be logged in. Rent (loyer) usually excludes charges and the deposit and is normally paid monthly, at the beginning of the month (e.g. Some rental companies will ask you to pay a cross-border fee to take your car out of the country, but many rental companies simply do … Andy Denison, director of an expat advice service, explains how to stay on the right side of the law when renting out a second home in France. Welcome to our Guide to Renting Property in France. However, where appropriate, we draw attention to any important points of law and practice as they affect holiday rental properties. There is also the famous ‘trêve hivernale’, the period from 1 November to 31 March, when it is impossible to evict tenants even on the grounds of repeated non-payment of rent. This means that as a tenant you will quite possibly have to jump through hoops. Britons Will Be Able to Stay in Their French Homes for 90/180 Days at Most Increases are usually calculated on the base of a construction cost index ( Indice du coût de la construction) published annually by the government (see www.insee.fr) Some of the advantages of this rental car deal include: Choose a brand-new car No age restrictions — Rent even if you are 18 years old Coronavirus: what is the current situation in France? In the main the guide focuses on the medium to long term lettings, as the regulations for holiday lettings are less strict than for properties let on an annual basis. The rule is called a “compensation.” Compensations may vary across districts. However, renting through an agency does come at a cost and it is certainly cheaper to go direct. In general, short-term rentals are exempt from the Loi Mermaz (1989), which is designed to protect long-term tenants, but the law is complicated and you should check with a lawyer. This does not apply to short term rentals or to furnished properties, provided the latter is not the occupant’s primary residence. The guide has been written for those seeking to rent property in France on a medium to long term basis, as well as those seeking to rent holiday accommodation. With individual properties, ensure you clarify matters such as who pays for items such as boiler servicing and septic tank emptying (invariably the tenant but it is best to check) and who is responsible for exterior and garden maintenance. Now to find the property! Open-tread staircases must have sufficiently deep treads and conform to current European regulations. All travellers arriving in France from countries outside of European Union must present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old in order to board a plane or boat. PUBLISHED: 17:49 27 January 2021 | UPDATED: 17:49 27 January 2021, Try before you buy with a French property rental (©Getty). If there are existing areas of wear and tear, it is a very good idea to take photographs in case they are needed at a later date. Before you choose a new home in France… La consistance de la chose louée is a formal description of the property to be let including... 2. We understand that planning and arranging your trip doesn’t always seem so easy, but this guide will keep you upto-speed on the ins and outs of renting a - car in France. Yet, although land-use restrictions are viewed skeptically in American courtrooms, such restrictions exist and are, in fact, quite common. If you earn €23,000 or more per year, the rental needs to be registered as a business and you will have to pay social security contributions and tax. If it’s your secondary residence, the law allows you to rent it furnished for periods of one year or more only. The availability of lower cost loans combined with relatively affordable property means that more and more people now decide to purchase their home. Social media is another great way to find just about anything these days so join some local buy-and-sell groups, as these often contain property listings, and ask in there. According to French law, rent can be increased only once a year. That way you will be able to act almost instantly when you find the right property. In France, the first thing that is important to note is that your lease will automatically renew unless proper notice is given by either you or the landlord. Check specific rules with individual rental companies before booking. Descriptions can be both accurate and attractive, using wording such as “feature open-tread, wooden staircase with polished steps” for example. The Council has approved this. Note: To rent a car in France you must be at least 21 years old or 25 years old (minimum age varies by rental agency), and have a credit card in your name. Relocate to a new country, but how much do you know renting. 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