In France, renting accommodation always requires a solid application . For landlords, the primary concern is protecting themselves against non-payment and ensuring that the tenant can afford the rent over the long term.
But when you arrive from abroad or start a new job, putting together a complete application can quickly become a real challenge .
Why do landlords ask for guarantees?
The French rental market is tight, especially in large cities. Landlords often receive several applications for the same property and will naturally favor those considered the most "reliable".
That is why they ask for financial guarantees : payslips, employment contract, tax notice or rent receipts.
For newcomers, this step can be complicated:
- Trial period : as long as the contract is not final, some landlords hesitate to rent.
- No history in France : no French tax return, nor previous lease.
- Foreign income : often difficult to value in a French case.
This is where rental guarantee solutions come into play.
The main rental guarantees
Rent Guarantee Insurance (GLI)
Rent guarantee insurance ( GLI) is an insurance policy taken out by the landlord to protect themselves against unpaid rent.
In this case, the insurer will assess your application. If your income is deemed insufficient, the landlord will not be able to rent you the property, as the rent guarantee insurance (GLI) will not cover it.
This is often the strictest guarantee.
Visale guarantee (free)
The Visale scheme, set up by Action Logement , is a free state guarantee.
It is addressed to:
- to employees under 30 years of age,
- or to any employee starting a new job,
- as well as to certain students or job seekers.
Visale covers unpaid rent and rental damage up to a certain limit, at no cost to the tenant or the landlord.
This is a very effective solution for newcomers, especially expatriates who settle in with a French contract.
Physical guarantor
A physical guarantor is a person (often a relative) who agrees to pay the rent if the tenant cannot.
The guarantor must provide proof of sufficient income.
This option remains common, but difficult to access for people coming from abroad, unless they have family residing in France.
Private insurance: GarantMe and SmartGarant
New private solutions make it possible to replace a physical guarantor :
These platforms assess the application online and issue a paid guarantee (usually around 3.5% of the annual rent).
They are now widely recognized by real estate agencies and private owners, especially in large metropolitan areas.
Bank guarantee (rare)
The bank guarantee consists of blocking several months' rent in a bank account.
It is now rarely used, as it ties up a significant sum and no longer corresponds to current practice, particularly since the ALUR law.
Namely
Under a lease subject to the Alur law , it is forbidden to pay several months' rent in advance .
The security deposit, limited to one or two months depending on the type of accommodation, should not be confused with a rental guarantee.
Sofime's advice
We assist each client in preparing their rental application and selecting the most suitable guarantee for their profile .
Thanks to our network of agencies and partners, we know how to effectively present the files of expatriates or employees on the move , even when they do not yet have a history in France.
