How to build a great rental file

When looking to rent an apartment, there are certain documents that you will always need to provide; they make up what is called a rental file. This file is sent to the owner of the property you wish to rent, and proves to them that you have the right to be in the country, that you can pay the rent, etc. It’s really important to have a good rental file – it can be the difference between you securing your dream home or not – and it’s also good to have it ready in advance so that the rental process goes as quickly as possible. Here is our guide on how to build a great rental file for renting a property in France.
 

What documents do I need to provide?

The documents you need to provide can depend on your situation. Have a look at this handy chart to see which ones you will need:
 

 
Passport/ ID: any valid form of ID such as a driving license
Proof of right to be in France: a letter from your employer or school, or your French residency card
Proof of current address: any official document sent to you at your current address, such as a bank statement or utility bill
Proof of income: usually, this would be your last three pay slips. Other accepted forms are proof of benefits or pension, or proof of income from land or property.
Guarantor’s details, proof of income and letter of commitment: you will need to provide a valid ID, proof of current address and proof of income of your guarantor (as above). The guarantor must put in writing that they agree to be pay the rent if you don’t – this is the letter of commitment. At Lodgis, we accept both French and international guarantors, but make sure that all of the documents that you send are translated into French or English.
Details of guarantee from GarantMe: if you do not have a guarantor, you can pay the company GarantMe to act as one. Have a look at our article on the subject for more information.
 
At Lodgis, all documents need to be sent by email, so it’s important to have digital as well as physical copies. We recognise that every case is different and that people move to Paris under all sorts of circumstances, so contact one of our advisors if you’re unsure about anything.
 

Strengthen your application

The Parisian housing market is competitive, but there are certain things you can include to help strengthen your application:
 

Your last tax return/ last two tax returns

Your last three rental receipts from your current property

A cover letter with details about yourself (no pets, non-smoker, reasons for being in Paris…)

A reference from a previous landlord

 

What not to include

It is against the law for an agency or landlord to ask you for any of the following documents:
 

Insurance card

Screenshots from your bank account

A statement from your bank about how you manage your accounts

Proof of whether you have debts to pay or not

Your criminal record

Medical records

Authorisation of a direct debit

 
It’s also illegal for an agency or landlord to ask you to pay to put together your rental file or to visit a property.
 
We hope that this guide has been useful in helping you establish your rental file, and that you eventually find the rental property of your dreams! When applying for an apartment through Lodgis, our advisors are on hand to guide you through all the necessary steps and let you know if you’re missing anything. If you’d like to browse our selection of apartments available in Paris, just click here. Happy house hunting!
 
Want to know more about renting a furnished property in France? Have a look at our article on the different types of furnished rental contracts available at Lodgis.