Finding accommodation for PhD students and researchers

Finding suitable accommodation is an essential step in organizing your stay in France. The process of searching for accommodation, particularly at the beginning of the academic year, can be time-consuming and demanding. We strongly recommend that you start your search early and not wait until the last minute.

Lorraine offers a wide range of housing options. However, if you are planning a relatively short stay of less than 6 months, we recommend considering “all-inclusive” accommodations such as furnished apartments or CROUS university residences (if you are a PhD student). These options typically involve fewer formalities during the moving-in process.

FIND YOUR

ACCOMMODATION

In France, before you move into your accommodation, you have to sign a rental agreement (also called “lease”). Rent is typically paid monthly, with the payment due at the beginning of each month. To provide evidence of payment, you can request a receipt called a “quittance de loyer” from your landlord.

Download your housing list

Check the list of accommodations in Épinal here

To assist you in your research, you can refer to the glossary and abbreviations of housing.

In partnership with the Université de Lorraine, Studapart provides undergraduates, PhD students and researchers an online housing offer platform. Studapart includes offers from private lessors, real-estate agencies and student residences near campuses in many cities.

Available in English, French and Chinese, Studapart can also act as your guarantor throughout the rental period.

Other housing solutions

Other housing solutions exist in both the public and private sectors.

“COLIVING” ACCOMMODATION IN SHARED APPARTMENTS

The housing offer is constantly evolving, and you can also find a hybrid model in Nancy, halfway between hotel and traditional apartment share. The Sharies agency, which recently located in Nancy city center, has come up with an innovative concept: fully furnished housing units, including private areas (bedrooms and bathrooms) and shared areas (kitchen, living room, gym, coworking area, terrace, etc.). In addition, you can take advantage of a wide range of shared services in order to simplify your stay.

For further information, please visit the Sharies agency’s website

HLM ACCOMMODATION

HLM (Habitations à Loyer Modéré) are social housing units allocated on the basis of your household’s resources, after an analysis of your application. They are often less expensive than housing of the same surface area on the traditional rental market. These apartments are always rented unfurnished.

Once you have submitted your application, it can take from a few months to a few years to obtain housing if you are eligible.

RENTING FROM A PRIVATE LESSOR OR A REAL ESTATE AGENCY

If you find accommodation offered by a private lessor, you can deal directly with them regarding visits and the signing of the rental agreement. The owner is free to set the rental price and conditions within the limits set by law.

However, if you use a real estate agent to find accommodation, you will be required to pay a commission known as “frais d’agence” (agency fee) in addition. These fees typically amount to about one month’s rent excluding charges.

SHARED HOUSING

Sometimes it is easier to find large apartments to share with friends or other researchers. It is possible to rent a shared apartment, also called “colocation”.

There are two types of tenancy for shared flats: “joint tenancy” or “individual tenancy”, for the room for private use and the common areas made available to all the flatmates.

Please note: if you sign a “joint lease” in a shared tenancy, all the tenants are liable. All tenants’ names must appear on the contract, and all tenants must sign it.

For further information, please consult the Service Public website.

HOSTELS

Aimed at students or young workers (under 30), these are accommodation structures where the rent is between that of a room in a CROUS Cité U and that of a private student residence.

They offer a combination of furnished or unfurnished accommodation and shared facilities, such as a restaurant, laundry, computer room and library.

ALTERNATIVES

Intergenerational accommodation: Intergenerational apartment sharing is an arrangement between a senior citizen and a young person. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in major university areas, with the aim of reducing loneliness among the elderly and providing affordable housing options for young people.

Short-term accommodation solutions: These options range from one day to a few weeks or months and are suitable for individuals who are waiting for permanent housing. They include hotels, aparthotels, youth hostels, and similar establishments.

“multirisK HOUSING” INSURANCE

Before moving into your accommodation, it is necessary to provide your housing manager or landlord with a certificate of multi-risk housing insurance. This insurance provides coverage for risks such as fire, water damage, theft, and more. Student mutual insurance companies and banks offer this type of insurance, as well as private insurance companies and general mutual insurers.

THE security deposit or “guarantee”

A security deposit is required when renting accommodation, and it is refunded to you upon leaving, as long as the property is returned in the condition it was in when the keys were handed over and when the inventory of fixtures was drawn up (to be signed by all parties). If there is any damage, the owner is authorized to deduct the necessary repair costs from the deposit. Generally, the security deposit corresponds to one month’s rent for a non-furnished apartment, and to two months’ rent for a furnished apartment.

Important: Do not close your bank account in France on the day of your departure, as the reimbursement of your security deposit may take up to a month after returning the keys to the owner or manager of the accommodation.

THe GUarantOR

In France, lessees must have a French or European (European Union) guarantor subject to acceptance by the lessor or owner. This is a form of insurance for the owner in case of unpaid rent. If you don’t know anyone who can act as your guarantor, there are alternative solutions:

If you are staying in a university residence managed by CROUS, your laboratory or training component can act as your guarantor, subject to the agreement of the director of your training component or laboratory. To learn more about it, please contact your hosting department or laboratory.

Visale :
- Free national system
- Usually accepted by student residences but if you rent an apartment from a private owner, they’re free to accept or refuse this type of guarantee
- You must be under 31 years old and have a valid long-stay visa or residence permit.
If you reserve accommodation via our partner platform Studapart, you can also request it to act as your guarantor. However, this guarantee will come with a cost, calculated as a percentage of your monthly rent.
There are private guarantor systems available with no age restrictions, but they require payment. Examples include : GarantMe, Cautioneo, SmartGarant

Need help with your security deposit?

Pay the security deposit required by your lessor immediately thanks to a LOCA-PASS advance, and repay it in several instalments over a maximum period of 25 months. The advance can cover a maximum of €1,200. Need help with your security deposit?

Find out more about the LOCA-PASS advance

Don’t forget to ask your Euraxess center for your “Perfect Tenant Guide“: drie-euraxess-contact@univ-lorraine.fr.

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Housing Assistance (APL and ALS)

In accordance with your income and the composition of your household, you can be eligible for personalized housing assistance (APL) or the social housing allowance (ALS). These two forms of housing assistance are granted by the Family Allowances Fund (CAF) depending on social resources (income, family situation, type of accommodation, etc.).

Find out more about the Family Allowances Fund (CAF)

To go further

The Euraxess Housing guide is there to facilitate your formalities and procedures when you’re moving to and out of France.