Student Rental Guarantee : Explanations and Tips

Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this struggle! Finding accommodation is often a real challenge. One of the main steps is providing a guarantor, meaning a person or an organization who commits to paying your rent if you can’t.

This article will give you all the keys you need. Together, we’ll break down the available solutions for students, especially the Visale guarantee, which has replaced the CLÉ (Student Rental Guarantee). Ready to put an end to rental hassles? Let’s go!

Understanding the Rental Guarantee: What Is It?

When you rent an apartment or a room, the landlord, whether a private owner or a student residence needs some form of protection against unpaid rent or damage. This protection is the rental guarantee. In short, it’s a promise of payment to the landlord in case you run into financial issues.

Traditionally, this guarantee comes from a personal guarantor, usually your parents. But when that’s not possible, or if you’re an international student, the process can quickly get complicated. That’s where systems like the Visale guarantee come in, allowing you to rent without a personal guarantor.

💡 Good to know: Don’t confuse the rental guarantee with the security deposit! The deposit is a sum of money you give your landlord when signing the lease, usually equal to one or two months’ rent (excluding charges). It covers potential repair costs when you move out and will be refunded if the apartment is left in good condition. The guarantee, on the other hand, is a promise of payment in case you can’t pay your rent.

Visale: The Guarantee That Replaces the CLÉ

In the past, students could benefit from the CLÉ (Student Rental Guarantee), managed by the Crous. Created in 2013, it helped students without a guarantor.

However, the CLÉ no longer exists. It has been gradually replaced by the Visale guarantee. If you hear about the CLÉ today, it’s simply a reference to the former system, now integrated into Visale.

Visale is a free service provided by Action Logement, which acts as your guarantor. It’s a huge advantage for your rental application, as it guarantees the landlord that rent and rental charges will be covered if you can’t pay. If that happens, Visale pays the landlord directly, then asks you to reimburse them later.

Who Can Benefit from the Visale Guarantee?

The system is broad, and many students are eligible. Whether you’re in school, doing an apprenticeship, or even an internship, you’ve got a good chance!

Main conditions:

• Students and apprentices: You must be enrolled in higher education or training (university, school, BTS, etc.), even with no income.
• Age: You must be under 31. If older, you may still qualify if you are employed with low income (under €1,500 net per month).
• Rent limits: Rent including charges must not exceed €1,500 in the Paris region or €1,300 elsewhere in France.
• Main residence only: The lease must be for your primary home.
• International students: If you have a student visa, you’re also eligible, which makes the process much easier.

How to Apply for the Visale Guarantee?

Think you’re eligible? Great! The entire application process is digital and fast, no need for paper files.

Step 1: Apply online

Go to the official website Visale.fr. Create your personal account and fill in your details (age, student status, place of study).

Step 2: Submit documents

Upload the required documents:

• ID (passport, ID card, residence permit with visa).
• Student card or current enrollment certificate.
• For apprentices: your training or work-study contract.

Most applications are processed in under 24 hours.

Step 3: Get your visa and guarantee

If approved, you’ll receive a “visa” certificate confirming your eligibility. You then present it to your landlord, who can verify it on Visale.fr and sign a guarantee contract with Action Logement. Quick, simple, and very reassuring for your rental application!

💡 Tip: Apply for your visa before finding an apartment, so you’re ready to move fast when you find the right place.

Housing Assistance: A Helpful Complement

A rental guarantee helps secure housing, but paying rent is another matter. Luckily, other financial aids can support you, and they are compatible with Visale. Most are managed by the CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales).

Personalized Housing Aid (APL)

APL is one of the most common housing aid. The amount depends on your income, rent, and housing type. You can run a simulation on the CAF website.

💡 Tip: In shared housing, each tenant can apply individually for APL based on their share of the rent.

Other Housing Aids

• Avance Loca-Pass: An interest-free loan to cover the security deposit required by the landlord.
• Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL): Grants or loans to help with housing-related issues like unpaid rent or moving costs.
• Crous scholarships: If you’re a scholarship student, you may receive monthly financial support that can help cover part of your rent.
• Garantme: other moral guarantors exist, including Garantme, which is a well-known solution and also widely used by students.

💡Good to know: At UXCO Student, you can benefit from APL and use Garantme as a moral guarantor. Find your UXCO Student residence anywhere in France !

The benefits: For whom and why?

To sum up, Visale is an excellent solution for students looking for housing, with advantages for both tenants and landlords.

For students (you):

• No need for a personal guarantor.
• Quick and simple process, entirely online.
• Stronger rental applications thanks to guaranteed payments.
• Available to both French and international students.

For landlords:

• Guaranteed rent payments.
• Safer applications, even from students with no income.
• Easy, fully online process.

⚠️ But keep in mind: Visale doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay rent! If Action Logement covers it for you, you must reimburse them later.