Renting a Home: India vs France – Why It’s Easier Back Home & So Complicated in France

The “Home” Challenge for Indian Expats in France

 
When Ankit, a 26-year-old engineering student from Pune, arrived in Lyon to pursue his Master’s degree, he assumed renting an apartment would be just like it was back home—some negotiation with the landlord, an Aadhaar card, and first-month rent in cash.

But in France, things were drastically different.

From requiring a local guarantor, multiple official documents, proof of income, and navigating a system designed to protect tenants at all costs—Ankit found himself overwhelmed. His experience is shared by thousands of Indian and South Asian expats who face this hidden barrier when they come to France or other EU countries.

This blog, created by L’Association Frehindi under the direct patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and other Indian embassies in the EU, aims to demystify this process and help Indian expats better understand and prepare for the documentation and procedures involved in renting a home in France, compared with the relatively simple process in India.
 

🏡 Renting in India: Flexible, Negotiable & Mostly Verbal

 
In India, renting a house is often based on mutual trust and verbal agreements. While documents like Aadhaar, PAN card, or a salary slip may be requested, they are often not mandatory or regulated. Landlords in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, or Mumbai may simply require:

✅ Basic ID (like Aadhaar or PAN)
✅ Security deposit (usually 2–3 months’ rent)
✅ A rental agreement, which may or may not be registered

Example:
Ravi from Chennai rented a flat in Bengaluru during his internship by paying 2 months’ rent upfront. The landlord asked for his offer letter, but nothing was legally binding. He could leave with just one month’s notice.

🧾 Renting in France: Legal Maze & Strict Requirements

 
In France, however, renting a home involves strict documentation regulated by law. Landlords are extremely cautious because French rental laws heavily protect tenants—so evicting a tenant is nearly impossible once they move in. Hence, landlords go to great lengths to ensure they’re renting to someone with verified financial stability and a reliable local guarantor.
 

🔒 The irony? The stricter the tenant protection laws, the tougher it is to become a tenant.

 
Here’s what landlords in France are legally allowed to ask for—

✅ List of Documents a French Landlord Can Request:

1. Proof of Identity (for Tenant & Guarantor):

National ID (French or foreign) with photo

Passport

Driving license

2. Proof of Current Residence:

Recent utility bill (gas, water, electricity – within last 3 months)

Rent receipt from current accommodation

Property tax notice or home insurance certificate

3. Proof of Employment:

Employment contract or employer certificate with details like job title, salary, start date

For freelancers: K bis or D1 extracts (less than 3 months old)

Professional license or Insee registration for independents

4. Proof of Financial Resources:

Last 3 pay slips

Latest tax return (even foreign one if applicable)

Proof of pensions, social aid, family allowance

Property income statements, real estate ownership proof

Income from investments, annuities, etc.
 

🇫🇷 The “Guarantor” Problem in France

 
One of the biggest hurdles for Indian expats is providing a local French guarantor—someone who agrees to cover your rent if you’re unable to pay.

Even students with scholarships or those funded by Indian families face rejection if they don’t have:

🔹 A French resident guarantor
🔹 OR a company-based guarantee service like Visale (only available to certain age groups or employment types)

Example:
Pooja, a 22-year-old student from Kolkata, had all the necessary funds transferred from her father’s Indian bank account. Yet, she was denied three apartments in Paris because she lacked a French guarantor. Landlords simply said “désolé”.

⚖️ Why Are French Landlords So Reluctant?

 
Because French tenancy laws make it very difficult to evict a tenant—even if they stop paying rent.

In India, if a tenant defaults or misbehaves, landlords often resort to tactics like cutting utilities, personal pressure, or even legal notices that have more immediate impact. But in France:

🚫 You cannot evict tenants during winter (November to March – the “trêve hivernale”)
🚫 Legal eviction can take up to 2 years
🚫 Police cannot remove tenants without court orders

So landlords take extra precautions upfront—which results in a strict vetting process that often frustrates newcomers from India.
 

❌ What Landlords in France Cannot Ask For

 
Despite all these requirements, French law prohibits landlords from asking for:

⛔ Bank statements (unless for proof of income)
⛔ RIB (Bank account details not relevant to rent)
⛔ Health or medical records
⛔ Criminal record
⛔ Personal photos unrelated to ID
⛔ Marriage certificates
⛔ Documents from current landlord proving “good behaviour”
 

Violation of these rules may lead to fines:

 
➡️ Up to €3,000 for individuals
➡️ Up to €15,000 for companies

🛡️ How L’Association Frehindi Helps You
We understand the overwhelming process Indian and South Asian expats face when trying to find housing in France. That’s why L’Association Frehindi, under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris, offers:

🧭 Workshops on housing rights & documentation
📑 Help preparing legal rental dossiers in French
🤝 Guidance on accessing guarantee systems like Visale
🛑 Awareness of your rights against illegal landlord demands
🏠 Listings of safe, verified housing sources for students & workers
📚 Support letters and translations when needed

Whether you are a student in Lille, a salaried professional in Marseille, or a new arrival in Strasbourg—we are here to walk with you, not ahead of you.
 

💡 Final Thought: Be Prepared, Not Pressured

Finding a home in France can feel like an uphill climb—especially if you’re used to the more flexible, informal systems back in India. But remember, the French rental system is not impossible—it’s just different. It’s built on structure, legal safeguards, and predictability. And while that may seem rigid at first, it’s designed to protect both the landlord and, most importantly, you—the tenant.

The key is preparation, not panic. If you know in advance what documents are required, understand your rights, and have guidance from trusted sources like L’Association Frehindi, you can navigate this system with confidence.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you stay informed:

🛡️ At L’Association Frehindi, We’re Here for You

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a family planning to settle in France or the EU, we help you decode the system—step by step.

🏠 We help you build a strong rental dossier
🤝 We guide you to legal guarantor options like Visale
📑 We assist with document translation & formatting
📚 We inform you of your rights & obligations as a tenant