Private Landlords

[PaulaW]

Hi,

I've been looking for some time now for good private lettings

sites.  By that I mean that it lists private property rather than that listed by

an estate agent, or the French equivalent.  I found a few sites but most list

only very rural Normandy locations rather than town (or big village) areas. 

Please does anyone know of any sites for landlords of French property?  I have

already found vivastreet (for all the use it was), Kijiji and Annonces Jaunes so

if you know of any others I'd very much appreciate you sharing your knowledge. 

The route I've discovered works best is looking at classified or free-ad type

sites, rather than ones dedicated to property.

Also, does anyone here

know if there is a standard in what French letting agents require of you?  I do

not have a clever enough credit history to pass a check, sadly (long story

involving divorce several years ago now - I shan't bore you with it) but I have

rented my current flat in the UK for over 6 years and never ONCE been so much as

a day late with the rent.  I can also supply guarantors in the form of my

parents, also living in France, who are retired but have a steady pension income

to the value of well over the average wage.  I am reasonably well-paid and fully employed

(from home) and will continue to work for those employers when I have relocated

to Normandy (preferably coastal but am also looking at Rouen/larger towns) - so

have good employer references too.  I am the perfect tenant in all but my credit

history (history being the key word) yet I know (because I have tried!) that I

would fail the standard UK agent's credit check.  So if French agents have the

same, narrow view of things there really is no point in looking at what lettings

they have to offer.  Unless, of course, anyone can tell me

different.

All/any advice is very very welcomed.

Thanks,

Paula.

[chessfou]

[quote]I can also supply guarantors in the form of my

parents, also living in France, who are retired but have a steady pension income

to the value of well over the average wage.[/quote]

Probably more than good enough since, if it comes to guarantors, the agents/proprietaires will be looking for a French guarantee. The main thing will be to demonstrate that you earn 3.3x (or better) the rental you will be paying.

[suein56]

***All/any advice is very very welcomed***

We found our long term let from an advert in our local paper - in our case "Ouest France". It is quite likely that the local paper in your preferred area might well be on-line as ours was.

Sue

[PaulaW]

Thanks to both you and spg for your help.  Can I just ask - this 3.3 x rent thing - is that what everyone looks for or just the agencies?  And does it apply to my wage before deductions (well over) or after (very borderline for the kind of properties I have been looking at)?  What I was more interested in is if the French agencies would be looking to UK data companies such as Equifax and Exprian to determine if I was eligable for a letting.  What you are implying, Chessfou, is that they don't... ?

Thanks again.

[chessfou]

I would be astonished if any French agency even knew of the existence of Equifax although Experian certainly have a presence here:

http://www.experian.fr/

Sorry, have forgotten whether the 30% limit is pre or post deductions (if I had to guess, I would go for post*). Borderline should be no problem. Dunno what "very" borderline means (but I suspect would be nudging them towards looking for a guarantee).

* You will find out for sure from the agency's conditions.

[PaulaW]

You're right, asking the agents themselves would be the best route.  I just didn't want to appear a "risk" in their eyes unless I had to.  As I say, I think I will more than adequately match other criteria - just not that. 

I have since found some excellent sites to search for private lettings - would this be a good place to list the sites? ... I know some forums see a fine line between the giving of information and blatant promotion.  I just wanted to share my findings in case anyone found this thread through the search engines.  I'll await reply before I post any links.

[Joanna]

The 33% limit is post deductions and it's an insurance requirement and held to rigidly.  I know someone who tried to rent a flat costing nearly 3000 euros a month who was short on the 33% criteria by 72 euros a month, he offered a year's shortfall in advance but was still turned down.  There was absolutely nothing he could do except find somewhere cheaper.

[val douest]

I don't know if you have come across the site www.leboncoin.fr but you can look up all kinds of things for sale or rent, including property, and can narrow down the criteria by department and private or commercial advertiser (as well as the usual price bands).

Good luck,

Val

[chessfou]

[quote]I have since found some excellent sites to search for private lettings - would this be a good place to list the sites?[/quote]

Yes, it gets done every so often (I did so last about 9 months ago). If you are going to do so, make sure you include, along with any others, all of the "big 5":

http://www.seloger.com/

http://www.logic-immo.com/

http://www.pap.fr/

http://www.explorimmo.com/

http://www.agences-immobilieres.com/reseau-immobilier/fnaim.htm 

Immo de France - http://www.immodefrance.com/ - is another biggy but they usually put only a very small selection of their properties on the web (I estimate about 15-20 from our local agency out of 100 or more in the shop).

[PaulaW]

Again, thanks to all for the input.  You've been a great help.

I have since found a flat and am going to view and possibly sign on the 4th of April - great news. 

Chessfou, thanks.  Will stick the links, adding to the ones you have already listed, below.  I'd like to add though that these are specifically sites I found which deal with private landlords and most if not all listings remove the agent from the picture. 

http://www.kijiji.fr/

http://www.avendrealouer.fr/

http://www.arkadia.com/usa/ (do list French rentals)

http://www.marche.fr/immobilier-location/

Cheers,

P.