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Housing: The Contract
by David Applefield
First, consider the amount of time you are planning to stay in Paris. When looking through rent ads, note whether the apartment is furnished or unfurnished. If you are only staying for a short time, a furnished place will be much more suited to your needs, even though the rent may be higher.
If you plan to stay for a while, however, consider taking an unfurnished place since you can most likely obtain a standard three year lease (un bail de trois ans) and will want to get set up with your own stuff.
The advantages of having a three-year bail (lease) include a set percentage over which your rent may not increase annually, the right to sublet for one year, and the right to break your contract if you give your landlord three months notice by registered letter (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception). On the other hand, you have the right to six months notice from the landlord before having to move out, and the reasons for asking you to leave are limited by law.
When you do find an apartment, the propriétaire (landlord) will want a caution (security deposit) as well as some proof that you are financially able to pay the rent. A letter in French from a parent or sponsor stating financial support will normally suffice, but as the economy worsens, agencies are taking no risks and might insist on proof of income as much as four times the monthly rent as well as a solid employment record.
One executive employed at Euro Disney from the day it opened was denied an apartment because he´d been with the same employer for less than two years. Some real estate agents are real creeps. Don´t lose your cool if you really want the apartment. Remember everything in France depends on one´s ability to séduire (seduce) or charm. Yes, they´ll make you feel like they´re doing you a favor to take your money.
It´ll baffle you why you, the customer, must be apologetic. Asking to see the supervisor is a sure way to lose the battle. Eat humble pie or move on.
If you do get the apartment, you will probably be asked to sign a lease. Under French law, minors (under 18) cannot sign contracts, and if you are under this age the landlord or his agent may insist that your parents or some responsible adult sign for you. If you sign a lease, ask for an état des lieux or an inventaire détaillé (detailed inventory) of the apartment and its contents, and make two copies. This way the landlord can´t hold you responsible for damage done to the apartment before you moved in. In any case, you should keep in mind that some landlords and almost no agencies will accept a guarantee of financial support from outside of France, since tracking down the tenants to pay for damages would be impossible.
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