Please can anyone tell me what we would need as references/guarantee in order to rent a house in France.
We are planning to move to France and have rented our house in England and are in the process of going to view French houses (later this week). We haven't rented a house for over 30 years, but our tenants certainly needed references. We can't get them from previous landlord as we don't have one. Could get one from employer - any ideas please?
Thanks for the information, everyone. After a disheartening time with various agents who wouldn’t even show me around houses, or made appointments and then cancelled, because neither of us have a job in France and the landlords can apparently only get insurance against non payment of rent if you have a job and they can take it from your employer, I finally found a place privately. It was advertised with an agent but they didn’t even bother telling me about it. I just rang the number under the ‘à louer’ sign on the gate. Landlord is lovely and only wanted evidence that we have income three times the rent. Should mention also that one lovely agent also managed to negotiate with two owners based on us putting twelve months rent in our french bank account, and then this money is ‘locked’ and if you don’t pay the landlord can take it. I did see those properties too, but whether that would have worked out in the end I’m not sure. The houses weren’t as well located as the one I’ve taken.
From experience it varies - we've always rented privately, once we took over the house my OH's sister was renting just up the road from her parents etc so nothing was needed. I've had to convince people of earnings/seriousness. The last place we had to produce company accounts, feuilles d'impôts and all sorts of other stuff. As for renting through an agency - they'll have their own list of documents needed for your dossier.
Debra - yes, think very carefully before renting out, have a word with those who do on sfn and it may well be worth taking out the specific insurance for tenants who don't pay ;-)
I had a similar problem - I own my own flat in London, but live in a house which is part of my employment package. I discussed this with the agent and provided a copy of the lease between my tenant and myself; and offered to pay 6 months rent in advance (this suited me as i haven't moved permanently yet and avoided monthly bank transfers). Owner and agency was happy with this. On the other hand, one other property that i had been interested in, would not consider me as a tenant without insurance for non payment of rent, despite the offer of a year's rent in advance!!! So, worth negotiating if you find something you like.