{"id":3705,"date":"2023-09-20T16:37:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T14:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.univ-lorraine.fr\/welcome\/?p=3705"},"modified":"2026-01-12T11:34:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T10:34:27","slug":"finding-accommodation-for-phd-and-researchers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.univ-lorraine.fr\/welcome\/en\/finding-accommodation-for-phd-and-researchers\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding accommodation for PhD students and researchers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Finding suitable accommodation is an essential step in organizing your stay in France<\/strong>. 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<\/strong> and not wait until the last minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lorraine offers a wide range of housing options<\/strong>. However, if you are planning a relatively short stay of less than 6 months<\/strong>, we recommend considering \u00ab\u00a0all-inclusive\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong> accommodations<\/strong> 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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FIND YOUR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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ACCOMMODATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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In France, before you move into your accommodation, you have to sign a rental agreement<\/strong> (also called \u00ab\u00a0lease\u00a0\u00bb). Rent is typically paid monthly<\/strong>, with the payment due at the beginning of each month. To provide evidence of payment, you can request a receipt called a \u00ab\u00a0quittance de loyer<\/em>\u00a0\u00bb from your landlord.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Download your housing list<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\nCheck the list of accommodations in \u00c9pinal here<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

To assist you in your research, you can refer to the glossary and abbreviations of housing<\/a>. <\/h4>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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In partnership with the Universit\u00e9 de Lorraine, Studapart<\/strong><\/a> provides undergraduates, PhD students and researchers an online housing offer platform<\/strong>. Studapart includes offers from private lessors, real-estate agencies and student residences near campuses in many cities.

Available in English, French <\/strong>and Chinese<\/strong>, Studapart can also act as your guarantor<\/strong> throughout the rental period.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Other housing solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Other housing solutions exist in both the public <\/strong>and private sectors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RENTING FROM A PRIVATE LESSOR OR A REAL ESTATE AGENCY<\/h3>
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you use a real estate agent to find accommodation, you will be required to pay a commission known as \u00ab\u00a0frais d\u2019agence<\/em>\u00a0\u00bb (agency fee) in addition. These fees typically amount to about one month’s rent excluding charges.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

SHARED HOUSING<\/h3>
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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 \u201ccolocation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of tenancy for shared flats: \u201cjoint tenancy\u201d or \u201cindividual tenancy\u201d, for the room for private use and the common areas made available to all the flatmates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note<\/strong>: if you sign a \u201cjoint lease\u201d in a shared tenancy, all the tenants are liable<\/strong>. All tenants’ names must appear on the contract, and all tenants must sign it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further information, please consult the Service Public website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u00ab\u00a0COLIVING\u00a0\u00bb ACCOMMODATION IN SHARED APPARTMENTS  <\/h3>
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The housing offer is constantly evolving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also find a hybrid model<\/strong>, halfway between hotel and traditional apartment share. Some residences can offer fully furnished housing units<\/strong>, including both private areas (bedrooms and bathrooms) and shared areas (kitchen, living room, gym, coworking area, terrace, etc.). Most of these residences also offer a wide range of shared services to simplify your stay.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

HLM ACCOMMODATION<\/h3>
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HLM (Habitations \u00e0 Loyer Mod\u00e9r\u00e9<\/em>) 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have submitted your application, it can take from a few months to a few years to obtain housing if you are eligible.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

HOSTELS<\/h3>
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Aimed at students or young workers<\/strong> (under 30)<\/strong>, these are accommodation structures where the rent is between that of a room in a CROUS Cit\u00e9 U and that of a private student residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They offer a combination of furnished or unfurnished accommodation and shared facilities, such as a restaurant, laundry, computer room and library.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

ALTERNATIVES<\/h3>
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