If you are considering moving to France and think you would like to rent before you buy please read the useful info
below. Do not be misled by TV programmes which are out of date, read our pages and get the 'up to date' info!
We have a list of people waiting for suitable long term lets - if you are considering a
long term rental of your property let us know - we might have the perfect tenant!
We can often provide far more information about the properties - some of them are
known to us personally. Worried about contacting the owner direct?
Contact us first.
One of the first things most people want to do when they decide to move to France is 'find along term rental'
while
they check out an area and buy a house, however, finding details of long term lettings can be very difficult if you are trying to do it from outside France.
We have been through this experience and want to help so within this website you will find a variety of properties available to house hunters or those wishing to
experience the French culture prior to taking that final step.
'Long term rental' for house hunters generally means anything from one to six months or sometimes longer if they cannot find the right
property to buy.
Normal French owned rentals are usually for 3 years on a contract with the owner and are handled mostly by immobilier or
estate agents. Generally these are unfurnished except for a bathroom and a sink. You will need to give around three months notice if you want to leave.
Please be aware that it is not easy to find a long term rental during the summer season.
Most of the properties you will find for rent here are only going to be available for the winter period, often this is
October to April. In general, they are furnished and include most common appliances. It is usual for ovens to run on bottled gas, freely available at most
supermarket garages and local village shops.
If the property has a swimming pool it will not usually be available in winter.
Not all properties have a telephone line installed, which means no
internet, so you may need a mobile phone. If you do need to be in touch by internet see if the property you are looking at is near a library. As in UK lots of libraries
provide internet access. If the property has a line but is not in use, by
negotiation with the owner, you may be able to reconnect at a cost of approx. 55
euros. www.francetelecom.com
has an English speaking helpline, and an English language page on the website.
If you are taking electrical items to France do take plenty of adapters with you so that you can plug phone chargers, hairdryers
etc. straight in. However, be aware that the power supply to some properties may not allow you to run every electrical appliance at the same time.
It is a good idea to have some tea lights ready in a safe container in case of
power cuts, and a torch kept in easy reach. Storms in France often cut the power
supply.
Be aware that the rent will not normally include the
utilities, gas, water, electricity and oil are usually charged according to
usage. Mains water is usually metered. If you are renting in the summer there
may be restrictions on water usage for gardens, car washing, pools and other non
essentials.
You may be asked for a damage deposit equal to at least a months rent.
Please mention this website and quote the Reference Number when
responding to these adverts, thank you.
More areas coming soon!
Please mention this site when responding to
advertisers, thank you.
If you are
interested in advertising on this site please contact franceonline@sfr.fr
