The French Rental Application (Le Dossier)
27 étapes
- Landlords can legally request only specific documents under the Alur Law
- A complete, well-presented dossier is critical — competition is high, especially in Paris and major cities
- Consider using DossierFacile (dossierfacile.logement.gouv.fr) — free government platform that certifies your dossier
- Valid passport or national ID card (both sides)
- Valid French residence permit (titre de séjour) if applicable
- French visa if your permit is still being processed
- Last 3 months' pay slips (bulletins de salaire)
- Employment contract (CDI preferred — open-ended contract; CDD or freelance requires stronger guarantees)
- Last 2 tax notices (avis d'imposition) from impots.gouv.fr
- If self-employed or freelancer: last 3 years' accounting statements or income tax returns
- If student: proof of scholarship or parental support letter + supporting documents
- Last 3 months of utility bills or rent receipts from current address
- If staying with someone: a hébergement à titre gratuit attestation signed by the host + their proof of address + their ID
- Guarantor's last 3 pay slips and employment contract
- Guarantor's last 2 tax notices
- Guarantor's ID and proof of address
- Consider Visale (visale.fr) — free government rent guarantee scheme for under-30s and certain employees
- Scan all documents in high resolution and compile into a single PDF
- Upload to DossierFacile for free certification
- Write a short cover letter (lettre de motivation) introducing yourself
- Respond to listings within minutes — the French rental market moves extremely fast