How do I rent an apartment?

Renting an apartment can seem complex, especially if it's your first experience. Whether you are an individual wishing to rent an apartment or an owner looking to rent a property, it is essential to fully understand all the steps and obligations that govern this process.

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In this article, we'll guide you on How to rent an apartment with confidence, by explaining the key steps, the necessary documents, as well as the best practices for a successful rental.

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The steps to rent your apartment

We have defined 7 essential steps to follow before renting an apartment:

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1. Check the condition of the accommodation

Before renting out your property, the first step is to check that your apartment meets the minimum standards of decent housing.

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It must comply with the criteria of decency, in particular in terms of surface area, quality of installations (electricity, plumbing, heating), and absence of risks to the health and safety of the occupants.

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You will need to ensure that all installations are in good working order before renting your apartment.

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2. Carry out mandatory real estate diagnoses

Another key step in renting a property is to carry out mandatory real estate diagnostics.

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These documents must be given to the tenant at the time of signing the rental contract. Among these diagnoses, we find the Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE), as well as diagnoses for asbestos, lead or even gas and electricity installations.

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This information should be clearly stated in the rental file and delivered to the tenant during the inventory.

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3. Set the amount of rent and security deposit

The rent amount should be fixed according to the local market, the size of your apartment and its location. In certain tense areas, where demand is high, rent controls may apply, thus limiting increases.

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In addition, the owner is entitled to request a security deposit which can go up to one month's rent excluding charges. This deposit is intended to protect the owner in the event of damage or unpaid rent, but it must be returned within one month after the end of the rental contract if no damage is found.

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4. Writing and distributing the announcement

To attract the right tenants, it is essential to write a detailed and attractive ad. In it, you should include essential information such as the size of the apartment, the rent amount, rental expenses, the type of heating, as well as the proximity of transport and shops.

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This announcement can be broadcast via a real estate agency or directly on specialized online platforms.

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5. Collect receipts from tenants

When you receive an application for your apartment, you will need to ask for certain documents to check the tenant's solvency. These documents include a resource certification, a proof of address, a employment contract, of Pay slips, as well as a tax notice.

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These documents allow you to ensure that the tenant is financially stable and in a position to pay rent regularly. A good rental record is therefore essential to avoid unpleasant surprises.

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6. Insure against unpaid rent

It is strongly recOrdered to subscribe to a Unpaid rent guarantee (GLI) to secure your income.

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This insurance covers the rent in the event of the tenant's default. If the tenant stops paying, the Unpaid rent guarantee intervenes and ensures the payment of your rent. This option is especially important if you don't want to take financial risks.

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7. Sign the lease contract and carry out the inventory

Once you have selected your tenant, you need to sign the lease agreement, a legally mandatory document that defines the terms of the rental: rent amount, duration, distribution of expenses, etc.

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This contract must be drawn up in two copies, one for you, one for the tenant. You will also need to complete a State of play entry, which will make it possible to compare the condition of the property at the beginning and at the end of the contract. This document is essential to avoid confusion or conflicts when returning the security deposit. Here's a full article on what a common law civil lease is.

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Renting your apartment with or without an agency?

Renting an apartment can be a source of stress, we advise you to go through real estate professionals to rent your apartment or to find one.

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Renting your apartment through a real estate agency

Call on a real estate agency can be a practical solution if you don't want to manage all the steps yourself. An agency is responsible for writing the announcement, selecting the tenants, signing the lease agreement and even rent management.

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However, this incurs additional costs. The agency may charge rental fees, which are generally shared between the owner and the tenant, within the limit set by law. Owners can also delegate the rental management to an agency to simplify the relationship with the tenant.

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Renting your apartment without a real estate agency

If you prefer to manage the rental independently, it is entirely possible to rent without using an agency.

In this case, you will need to write the rental contract, manage communication with tenants and ensure that all administrative procedures are respected. You will also need a good knowledge of laws and legal obligations to ensure the legal security of your rental.

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Go through a real estate hunter to find a rental

Finding an apartment to rent can be a real obstacle course, especially in big cities where demand far exceeds supply.

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‍Call on a real estate hunter is an option that is increasingly popular with renters who want optimize their search and Save time. Here are the advantages of going through an apartment hunter.

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Unlike a real estate agency that represents the owner, the Real estate hunter works for the tenant and accompanies him in all stages of his research. He analyzes the market, selects properties corresponding to the tenant's criteria and organizes visits according to his availability.

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One of the major advantages of Go through a real estate hunter is its access to exclusive goods and its network of contacts which allows it to locate homes before they are published on traditional platforms. In addition, it can Negotiate rent or lease terms on behalf of the tenant, thus maximizing their chances of getting a property at the best price.

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This solution can be particularly useful for people who have little time to devote to their research or those who want to avoid the setbacks associated with strong rental competition. Although this service comes at a cost, it is often quickly amortized thanks to the opportunities it allows you to seize.

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What are the obligations of the owner?

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Mandatory rental documents

As a landlord, you have legal obligations to your tenant. You need to provide a rental file comprehensive including mandatory diagnoses, as well as information on rental income (if applicable) and on the professional card from the real estate agency, if you go through a professional.

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The rental contract must be accurate and contain all legal information on the terms of the rental, including the conditions of termination and the duration of the lease. The lessor must provide rent receipts to the tenant on request.

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Respect for decent housing standards

The accommodation you offer for rent must meet the decency criteria imposed by law. This includes the safety of the installations, accessibility, ventilation, and the cleanliness of the rooms. If your apartment does not meet the standards, you may not be able to Renting your apartment legally.

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What document to rent an apartment?

Tenants need to provide a solid case to convince the landlord. Here are the documents that are generally requested:

• One identity document currently valid
• One proof of address recent
• One employment contract or a certificate from the employer
• Les last three payslips
• The latest tax notice
• One resource certification (for self-employed workers or students with guarantors)

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A complete and well-prepared file increases the chances of getting housing quickly.

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Housing benefits for renters

In France, several housing assistance systems are in place to support tenants in paying their rent. One of the main aids is thePersonalized Housing Assistance (APL), intended to reduce the amount of rent or monthly credit payments for homes for main use.

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Its allocation depends on resources, the composition of the household and the type of housing. In 2025, the APL remains one of the most requested forms of assistance, especially by large families and students.

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To benefit from it, the procedures can be carried out online on the website of the Family Allowance Fund (CAF). It is essential to provide accurate information about one's financial and family situation in order to determine the amount of assistance.

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In addition to the APL, the Visale warranty is a free rental deposit, paid by Housing Action, which covers unpaid rent and charges for the duration of the lease, up to a limit of 36 monthly payments. This system is particularly useful for young professionals and students without a traditional guarantor.

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Finally, theSocial Housing Allowance (ALS) is another aid intended for tenants who cannot benefit from the APL, in particular young households, the elderly or people with disabilities.

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It is recommended to contact CAF or Action Logement to find out about the eligibility conditions and the steps to be taken to benefit from these aids.

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‍Rental income and fiscal impact

For owners, rental income arising from the rental of an empty home, also called bare rental, are taxable under the progressive income tax scale in the category of land revenue. They are also subject to social security contributions at a rate of 17.2%.

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Two tax regimes are applicable to income from unfurnished rentals:

1. The micro-land regime : It automatically applies if the rents, excluding rental charges, received annually by your tax household are less than €15,000. In this case, a flat rate reduction of 30% representing all expenses is automatically applied to the amount of the declared rents. You must report the amount of these gross rents box 4 BE of tax return no. 2042. No other charges can be deducted.
2. The real regime : It applies automatically if the rents received annually are greater than €15,000, or optionally if the income is below this threshold. This choice requires you to report under the real regime for three years. Under this regime, you can deduct the actual expenses incurred for the acquisition and maintenance of income, such as management fees, works, loan interests, insurance, etc. The exercise of the option is done by filing a property tax return no. 2044 (or no. 2044 Special if special regime). This declaration makes it possible to determine the real estate result (profit or deficit) that you must report in declaration no. 2042.

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It is important to note that the option for the real regime is global and covers all buildings rented by members of your tax household.

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You can therefore not opt for the real regime for some properties and keep the microreal estate for others. For more details on the procedures for declaring property income, it is advisable to consult the official tax website or to contact a tax advisor.

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Conclusion: Optimize your rental project

In summary, How to rent an apartment with complete peace of mind? It is essential to fully understand the procedures to follow, the documents required, and the obligations incumbent on each party.

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By taking care to check that your property is in conformity, to write a rental contract By choosing your tenants carefully, you optimize your chances of success. Remember to respect tax rules and consider guarantees such as the Unpaid rent guarantee to protect you.

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The rental process may seem long and complex, but by following these steps, you can safely rent out your apartment while offering quality housing to your future tenants.

Do you need help finding an apartment quickly? A Mecaza real estate hunter can assist you in your efforts! 🏡

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