Dreaming of Paris? Don’t Let These Housing Mistakes Ruin Your Semester

New Yorkers are used to a cutthroat rental market. We know about broker fees, credit checks and the race to sign a lease. But if you think your experience in the East Village prepares you for finding an apartment in Paris or Lyon, think again. The French rental system is a completely different beast, built on centuries of bureaucracy that can blindside even the most prepared American student.

If you are planning a semester abroad, avoid these three common pitfalls that trip up US students every year.

Mistake 1: Underestimating the “Guarantor” Rule

In the US, a landlord might just check your credit score. In France, they want a Garant, a guarantor earning three to four times the rent. Here is the catch: they almost always require this person to be a French resident. Your parents’ impressive New York income often means nothing to a landlord in Bordeaux because they can’t easily sue a US citizen for unpaid rent.

This is the biggest hurdle for international students. To bypass this, do not rely on Craigslist. Instead, use a specialized housing platform like Studapart, which acts as a trusted third party. They offer a “Verified Profile” and guarantor solution that reassures landlords, effectively unlocking thousands of apartments that would otherwise be off-limits to foreign applicants.

Mistake 2: Waiting Until August

This is a classic rookie error. In the US, business continues as usual in the summer. In France, the entire country effectively shuts down in August for les grandes vacances.

Admissions letters often arrive late, leading students to think they can hunt for housing a few weeks before school starts in September. Bad move. If you email agencies in August, you will likely get an “out of office” reply until September 1st. By then, the best student housing is gone. You need to secure your accommodation online in June or July, well before the French head to the beach.

Mistake 3: The “Ghost Apartment” Scams

Because the market is so tight, scams are rampant. Be wary of listings on free classified sites that look too good to be true (a loft in Le Marais for €600? Impossible).

The golden rule: never wire money via Western Union or standard bank transfer before signing a lease. Scammers know American students are desperate and used to high prices, making them easy targets. Stick to secure platforms that hold your deposit in escrow until you actually move in.

France is an incredible place to study, but the administration is not for the faint of heart. Treat the housing search as your first homework assignment, and you’ll be sipping espresso in your new flat while your classmates are still stuck in a hostel.