How to find student housing quickly? A complete guide

Between the scarcity of listings in Paris and other cities, rising rents, and piles of applications on landlords’ desks, the task can seem impossible for a young person. The search for decent housing is often the first major challenge of independence.

Don’t panic! This guide is designed to give you a head start and simplify your search. Whether you’re looking for a residence, a shared apartment, or a studio, we’ve gathered all the best tips to help you succeed in your steps and secure your future apartment in record time. Finding student housing that fits your budget requires a method, especially in major French cities. Each city has its own specificities that you need to master in order to succeed.

What type of housing should you choose for student life?

Before rushing into listings, it’s crucial to know which type of housing suits your needs. In France, demand is high, particularly in Lyon and Paris.

💡 Key figures: According to the latest report from the Observatory of Student Life, housing costs represent more than 50% of students’ monthly budgets. A well-informed student must therefore compare all options before signing a lease.

Housing options to consider:

1. CROUS housing

These are social housing options with unbeatable rent prices. CROUS manages these properties, which are primarily reserved for scholarship students. If you obtain housing through CROUS, you benefit from a secure social environment. The social sector helps maintain strong diversity on campuses. Visit their official website to find student accommodation with CROUS.

2. Private student residences

This is the comfort option. You get a studio or furnished studios with included services. It’s the ideal offer for international students who want to book remotely without going through a traditional real estate agency. Choosing a residence allows you to centralize your services. Opting for a high-end residence often guarantees better academic success thanks to peace and included services.

💡 The UXCO Student advantage: If you want to avoid the stress of managing utility bills, private student residences like UXCO Student often include these charges in the overall price. This type of structure offers many benefits to help you focus on your exams!

3. Shared accommodation

An excellent solution for splitting rent and living in a larger apartment. Shared housing has become a very popular lifestyle choice among students (plural) to avoid isolation. In addition, choosing shared accommodation allows access to a larger living space. Students particularly appreciate the shared costs.

4. Solidarity housing

More and more platforms and associations offer housing solutions where young people live with seniors. This solidarity-based commitment helps reduce expenses. Solidarity housing is a human alternative with many advantages. The concept of solidarity housing is gaining ground in every university city.

How to organize your housing search?

To find accommodation quickly, it’s not enough to search, you need to be strategic on websites and platforms. A successful housing search starts with precise organization and regular monitoring of listings. For a female student or a student, responsiveness on specialized websites is the number one success factor.

Steps to get ahead of other applicants:

Step 1: Define your area.

Don’t focus only on central Paris. Look at well-connected neighboring cities. Every area has more affordable neighborhoods. A nearby suburban town can offer a much better living environment.

Step 2: Prepare a digital application file.

Scan your ID and your guarantor’s documents. Anticipation is key. Once everything is ready, you can apply with just one click. Successfully completing your administrative steps is the first step toward independence.

Step 3: Multiply your sources.

Check listings on specialized websites. Listings published in the morning are often the freshest. Here are two essential platforms:

• Studapart (Student housing specialist). Thanks to Studapart, you can secure your booking online. Studapart’s strength lies in its support system. Using Studapart reassures landlords thanks to their internal guarantee.
• LocService (Direct contact with landlords).

Step 4: Be responsive.

In Lyon or Paris, a rental can be finalized within two hours. Respond to rental offers as soon as they are published. Monitoring listings in real time is essential.

💡 Expert tip: If you’re looking for a single room, make sure it has a lock and a stable internet connection for studying. A well soundproofed room is a real advantage.

Build a rock-solid rental application

Your application file is your identity card for landlords or agencies. In France, the law regulates required documents, but going through an agency often demands extra rigor.

What to include to reassure landlords:

• Proof of identity: Your student ID. An up-to-date student card proves your current status.
• Guarantor and deposit: If you don’t have a physical guarantor, the Visale guarantee is ideal. Visit the official platform to request your Visale guarantee
• Income: Your guarantor’s income or your own if you are working.
• Financial aid: A CAF aid simulation to demonstrate your seriousness.

💡 Tip: Young people (plural) often forget to include an ID photo. For today’s youth, a visual application file is a real advantage to humanize the request. Young people who carefully present their application increase their chances by 40%.

What financial aid can reduce your rent?

Even with limited resources, there are solutions to find housing. Don’t overlook any financial aid. Check out our complete guide on financial aid for students. Every housing option can be partially financed by the State.

Aid schemes to activate:

• APL (Personalized housing assistance): Calculated based on your resources. If you want to estimate how much APL you might receive, feel free to use the CAF simulator.
• Loca-Pass advance: Action Logement advances your security deposit.
• AILE aid in Paris: A valuable aid for scholarship students.

Timeframes and alternatives: what to do if you’re stuck?

Searching in Paris or Lyon can take time. Generally, it takes a few weeks to find stable accommodation. Housing becomes available in waves.

Smart alternatives: If traditional housing (plural) is fully booked, look into intergenerational housing associations. It’s a very economical and solidarity-based solution. The social aspect of this approach is highly valued. You can also consider serviced residences for young professionals, which sometimes accept students at the end of their studies or international students. These residences are often more flexible regarding lease duration.