All expats want to experience a piece of the city that is all their own, which is exactly what you get with apartment rental. However, with ridiculous amounts of paper piles, lack of available units, unprofessional landlords and more, it can be difficult in Paris to find the right place to meet your needs. In order to turn a potential nightmare into a guaranteed dream come true, it is vital that you learn a few tips on finding the ideal rental.
Pay Attention to Size
Some places have very limited space. However, if you know where to look, you will be able to find a spot where you can spread out and stretch from time to time. It is also a good idea to learn the property laws of where you plan to stay. For example, in Paris an apartment rental is not legal from a landlord offering less than a certain square footage of habitable space.
Beat the Crowd
The apartment rental market is incredibly competitive in Paris. Apartments that become available seem to get snatched up as soon as the first advertisement is posted. Therefore, it is a good idea to even out your odds as much as possible by enlisting the aid of a knowledgeable and experienced rental agency that you can trust.
Because apartments are going so fast these days, it is important to be as quick off the market as possible in order to secure the best accommodations. Visit potential apartments as soon as you learn that they have becomes available for rent as many are on a first-come-first-served basis. A quality agency will be able to help you avoid those open house viewings where you have to wait in line for hours to have a quick five to ten minute look.
Remember the Details
In some cases, renting an apartment as an expat can come with a considerable amount of red tape. Therefore, it is important to make absolutely certain that you have all of your paperwork in order as far ahead in the game as you possibly can. You should have a copy of your visa and your passport, proof of income and possibly more depending on when and where you rent your apartment.
When you decide to work with an agency, you want to find one that offers affordable rates as well as great customer service. You want an agent that shows up on time, every time. With apartments going off the market so quickly, you will need someone in your corner that will help you scoop up the Paris apartment rental you want.