SOME INTROSPECTION TO BE DONE BEFOREHAND  

Looking for an accommodation when you are a student requires a little patience. For this reason, we highly recommend you to start looking in advance and not to wait until the last moment! You should think carefully about your project in order to find your ideal property. To this end, several questions need to be answered.  

TYPE OF HOUSING 

First and foremost, you need to consider the type of housing you want to live in. There is a wide range of solutions, which have their own peculiarities, pros, and cons: 

• Private apartment
• Shared apartment 
• Private room
• Host family
• College dormitory 
• Shelter

Either way, the most important thing to ensure your well-being is to choose the type of accommodation that suits you! 

LOCATION 

Be careful about the location of the property. Opting for an accommodation close to your school will reduce the time you spend on the road, which can be a real comfort.  

BUDGET 

The most important expense for students is housing. However, some solutions, such as sharing a flat or staying with a host family, allow for more savings than a private apartment, for example.  

Be sure to get informed about different financial aids that you can claim as a student. There are several options available, such as “Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL)” for government-approved housing, or “Allocation de Logement à caractère Social (ALS)” which can be used for non-approved housing.  

WHERE TO LOOK FOR STUDENT HOUSING? 

Once you determine the type of accommodation you want, as well as your budget, it's time to start looking. 

UNIVERSITY HOUSING 

If you opt for housing in a university dorm or residence hall, you must go to the CROUS website (Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires) and fill out an online application (before May 31 of the current year). Please note that it is necessary to renew your application each year, as it is not possible to "reserve" a place for the entire length of the program. 

Alternatively, you can visit other websites dedicated to private student residences, such as Nexity Studea, Les Estudines, Fac-habitat, or Studélites. 

PRIVATE APARTMENT 

You can look for an apartment through a real estate agency or through private individuals. In all cases, keep in mind that you will be asked for guarantees. Tough selections are made, so take great care of your file which must be as complete as possible, with reliable guarantors. 

You should also consider whether or not you want a furnished apartment. As a student, you may have a limited budget which is why a furnished apartment may be the best solution for your needs. Also, you should know that the notice period for your lease will only be one month, as opposed to three months for an unfurnished apartment. 

Whether you go through an agency or directly with a tenant, you should check every announcement! Consider creating alerts, you will indeed have to be very, very reactive. Some of the most popular sites to visit are: 

Bed&School, an agency specialized in student housing,  

The CEP The CEP Association, a mutual aid platform for students, which manages more than 2,000 rooms and studios;  

LocService.fr, Location-etudiant.fr, Immojeune.com, and Studylease, which offer residences, shared apartments, private apartments, and student exchanges; 

Real estate websites such as Le Bon Coin, Pap.fr, Entreparticuliers.com, seloger.com, explorimmo.com, and logic-immo.com. 

And of course, be sure to spread the word to your local network, since word of mouth often leads to nice surprises! Social networks are also full of opportunities, and there are now many groups on which it is important to be present (Wanted Community, Location&Colocation, etc.). 

FOR AN APARTMENT-SHARE 

If you enjoy living in a community, then flat-sharing is for you! As for a private apartment search, you will have to consult the announcements and file requests. several websites like Appartager, Coopcoloc, lacartedescolocs.fr, Room4talk, or Autroisieme.com are consulted to find a flat or a flatmate. 

Once again, don't forget the social networks, plenty of opportunities are waiting for you there! 

CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL OR COLLEGE 

Besides the announcements on the Internet or on social networks, it is important to know that universities and colleges can help you find accommodation. For instance, the Groupe IGENSIA Education (formerly Groupe IGS) offers its students a platform called MyStudapart which lists thousands of accommodations offered by private owners, student residences, and real estate agencies. 

IN CONCLUSION… 

Searching for student housing can sometimes be tricky. But if you anticipate your search and be reactive, you will be able to find a place to live without a hitch!  

Remember to always have a complete application file, be consistent and diligent in your search, spread the word, and be present on social networks. All the cards are in your hands! 

Would you like to benefit from valuable advice in your search and personalized support? Reach out to the Schools of the Groupe IGENSIA Education (formerly Groupe IGS) now!