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Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated on the River Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region ("Région parisienne"). Paris has an estimated population of 2,153,600 within its administrative limits. The Paris Unité urbaine (or "urban unit") is an area of unbroken urban growth that extends well beyond its city limits, with a population of 9.93 million. A commuter belt around the same completes the Paris urban area (similar to a metropolitan area) that, with its population of 12 million, is one of the most populated areas of its kind in Europe.

An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities.

Finding Long Term Accommodation in Paris
So how do you find and choose affordable and quality accommodation in Paris to stay in be it studios, residence halls, apartments or villas?
Here are some hints to guide your research.

The classic locations and prices:
The charges for a studio of 30m² are on average at least 600 euro per month.
The cheapest rents in Paris are generally in the 20th, 13th, 18th, 19th and 10th arrondissements.

The Internet is now the most complete and easy way to find accommodation adverts but you can also turn to the specialized press like the "De Particulier à Particulier", it's a weekly edition which appears on Thursday. To find a great accommodation deal in Paris you have to be an early bird. Buy the paper at 7:00 am and call directly at 7:10 to make an appointment. If you are late the best apartments for rent in Paris will be already occupied.
Don't worry about being too early and waking up the leaser You'll surely be not the first to call.

Here are some more news papers you can use to find accommodation in Paris:
20minutes
Acheter
A vendre et à louer
A Nous Paris
Louer
Métro

Some newspapers like Le Figaro and Le Parisien also offer Paris Accommodation ads on their pages.
These offers usually come from individuals or real estate agencies.

If passing through an agency, the agency fees will be up to the cost of 2 months rent, depending on the services provided like research and legal aid.
You can also find accommodation in Paris through realtors in your area and avoid the rush of using the rental ads from newspapers.

But Internet is now the source of the most complete rental listings, just use google to find apartments for rent in Paris where you will find a large selection of housing!

The Lease Contract
When renting an apartment in Paris the signing of a lease by both parties, landlord and tenant is required.

This written contract will contain the duration of the lease, the name of the owner and tenant, the property description, the cost of rent and other provisional charges - expenses incurred by the owner in general including: heating, water, maintenance costs of the parties common or lift and a security deposit - amount paid upon signing the lease, generally corresponding to two months' rent excluding charges and returned to the tenant within 2 months after his departure. Usually the lease lasts 3 years but the tenant can cancel at any time, announcing the owner in advance via a written letter with acknowledgment of receipt by the owner. Usually it should be 3 months before the tenant departure. The owner must also meet the deadline.

An inventory must also be made when signing the lease, signed by both parties, it must describe in detail the physical condition of housing.
State of paintings, furniture, walls, windows ... All damages must be mentioned to avoid being blamed for them when you decide to leave which might lead to you loosing the deposit. The inventory for exit, when you are leaving the apartment is also required either with landlord or agency.

Sharing Accommodation in Paris - Living with a Room-mate

Finding where to stay cheaply in Paris is a difficult task if not impossible. Joint tenancy or collocation can mean lower cost of rent and higher comfort and housing standards. As French say nothing is better than a "small bathroom" of friendliness.

Students and young workers, especially those who arrive to Paris, are likely to find themselves with an unpleasant feeling of being lost! Sharing an accommodation with a room mate is something that will help you overcome this feeling.

Advantages of Paris Flatshare: Possibility to rent for a short time and Meet new people.

To find a room mate in Paris we recommend you posting an advert in our Paris Flat share section.