[quote user="P-D de Rouffignac"]It is surprising to read this thread, given that less than 60% of French are owner/occupiers of their main home, leaving 40% as renters. (Comparative figures for the UK are 70% and 30%). And the vast majority of landlords in France - apart from HLM - are private individuals and not institutions. One possible alternative is to go for short-term (1 year renewable) furnished lets, though ideally these should be (very) small studio apartments, ideally in city centres. [/quote] Not sure why it has to be tiny appartments? I have recently decided to let our farmhouse and stables as after 4years it still has not sold and we need to get back to the UK. I have offered it on a furnished basis in order that I can get it back in a couple of years if the market picks up. Everyone with any experience on most forums recommend that people rent before they buy in France, but unless you can supply a ream of financial and employment details you have little chance of securing a rental on an unfurnished basis in France, and its just to much for most english speakers in such early days. Surely this is an ideal market for such folk, they don't want to live here 'permanently' just yet, but they do want to try out life in rural France, and especially if they want to bring horses, pets etc? I've had quite a response so far from expats looking for just that, and quite a few french trying to lull me into an unfurn 3 year min farming jobby, which I have politely declined. Still not secured a renter but much more positive than the interminable waiting for a buyer who then turns out to be a dreamer/timewaster. Some of the gite rental sites are now opening up to this market, if anyone wants to know who, pm me.