My husband, 15 year old daughter, 80 year old father and I want to rent a three bedroom apartment in the Paris in May 2006. Can anyone recommend an agency to use or has anyone an apartment recommendation? Thanks.
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Go to vrbo.com. You can sort the listings by the number of bedrooms. Three bedroom aprtments are not that common in Paris, but if you look around you should be able to find one.
We just returned from Paris and rented a two bedroom apartment that also had a sofabed in the living room, so it was almost like a three bedroom. It could sleep 6 in a pinch.
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I haven%26#39;t rented an apartment but have read many others%26#39; comments about their experiences.
1. deal with a very reputable company (post on any forum you know of to ask for feedback)
2. be very careful to understand what the apartment is like - what furnishings (are there chairs to sit in, or just the futon that unfolds to a bed) what are the kitchen appliances, is there an active internet connection or just the ability to connect using your own service, is there a cleaning fee or any service during your stay, etc.
3. understand what the deposit requirements are and how you are expected to provide the deposit (in Euro? by personal check? wired funds?)
Here are some ongoing posts on Fodors that are quite informative:
www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp…
www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp…
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I use VRBO even for properties in the U.S., and it is a wonderful find.
I just used it to rent an apartment in Paris, and ended up with a great find in St. Germain - try ii!
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I used VRBO.com twice this year- renting an apartment in the 7th with ParisPerfect -Excellent.
and another in the 11th- http://www.vrbo.com/40407
also Excellent!
Keep in mind that VRBO is a great site but each property is owned and operated privately-so you still need to make sure of the requirements of the owner in regard to deposits and payment and what they offer.
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Hello Saunders,
I have rented apartments directly from owners in Paris a few times and just last June, one in Venice. In every case, we have found the flats to be exactly as the owner described. We also own a small one and sometimes rent that out.
If you find one you like the sound of and it is privately rented, the owners will surely have many photos of the flat and will send them on to you. They will also probably be able to furnish you with contacts of previous renters from whom you could get information. Be careful about what floor it is on.......(Usually if it does not specify an elevator, there is none)....and be aware that Europeans number their floors differently... 1st floor is our 2nd etc.
If you go to a rental agency, you will have to pay additional fees....sometimes fairly high. Do be careful of just what the additonal charges will be with an agency, they are not always too clear on that at first.
Many people (many Americans) own apartments which they regularily rent out. Truffant on this site has one you might like to get info on and I know of a large one in the Marias which I could send you the address of if you are interested (Seattle owner). It has been my experience that privately rented flats are quite good. Whether through an agency or privately, it can be a bit overwhelming, so have patience.
Do try searching the net and see what you can come up with. You might keep it less confused if you decided what arrondissements you would like....search this site for info on them.
Take care and let us know if we can help with anything.
Bea
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Bea...
I%26#39;ve rented a couple of apartments through VRBO but am looking for one for a longer term-3-6 months.
you mentioned who may want to rent out their apartment?
Merci
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alaskaitaly; As soon as you decide to rent for more than a month, you need to skip the weekly rental agencies. We spent 5 weeks of intensive searching for a 6 month-to-1 year apartment (dozens of candidates) and found the best prospects at:
1) FUSAC http://www.fusac.com/housingfr.htm. Check on-line as early in the [European] morning as you can, check daily and early.
2) PAP.FR. Individuals advertising as opposed to agencies.
Of the two, checking FUSAC early in the European morning was the most fruitful path for quality contacts. Check it daily and early in the European morning. You%26#39;ll get the best contacts for %26quot;long-term%26quot; rentals for American/British renters. Wait till 11AM CET and you%26#39;ll be 10th in line to talk to the landlord.
In the first week (after 4 wasted weeks) we found an apartment that was an order-of-magnitude better than anything we%26#39;d seen using other methods. It wasn%26#39;t the only one we found at FUSAC, there were several.
We had a choice for the first time in more than a month. Getting there early was the key. Our budget was 1500/mo MAX. We saw a lot of crap in that price range for an entire month of daily diligence.
The downside is that the owners are generally looking for one-year or less renters so if you fall in love with the flat, the owner may want you to move on so as to avoid French renter%26#39;s-rights laws.
If you wander the streets, you%26#39;ll see lots of beautiful apartments in the window displays of the immobiliars that have agency fees of one, two and even 3-month%26#39;s rent. FUSAC is an alternative.
The rental market in Paris is brutal if you want to spend less than $2000/month. Good luck and please post your progress. If I can help, please let me know.
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Yes, I have a great site for you to visit.
parisperfect.com
They have three bedroom apartments, but you may be able to get by with a two bedroom. A little less money.
We are renting a two bedroom for 4 ladies (2 moms and 2 daughters) in November but it has a little den area that has a day bed and that will work for one of the younger girls.
I am so excited to have found this site. The couple who own these apartments are so gracious. I think they own many of them in the same building and they are professionally decorated and not at all like staying in someone%26#39;s personal apartment, but more like a luxury suite. They rent way, way in advance, so now is a good time to contact them.
They are incredibly responsive. They live in England now, but their business is catered towards American Tourists and they will be able to provide you with whatever you need.
I hope you find this information to be helpful.
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Thanks Metromole.
Yes, I know the FUSAC and PAP and also FRANGLO is good...
it is a whole different mentality there with their phobia about tenants.
One place wanted me to pay the entire 6 months plus 2 months security in advance and in cash. At the next six months, they would want the same arrangement.
Actually, some of the posters on VRBO are willing to rent longer term and others who have their apartments advertised for short term get tired of the hassle of short term rental and are willing to rent. I have one possibility of that case.
My budget is 2000 euros a month-but would like to include the service fees into that cost.
What area are you in?
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I had an excellent experience in 2003 with www.parisvacationapartments.com. The apartment was exactly as described and the owners were very helpful. We are renting from them again next month. They have 3-bedroom apartments in Montmartre and near the Palais Royal.
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