Student Flatsharing : The Complete Guide to Finding and Succeeding in Your Flatshare

Student flatsharing has become one of the most popular housing solutions for young people in France. Sharing a flat or house with other flatmates not only helps reduce rent but also offers a friendly and dynamic environment.

Whether you’re looking for a room in a well-located residence in the city centre of Paris, Strasbourg, or Brest, or you’d prefer a large furnished apartment with a balcony, this guide will help you understand everything about flatsharing: benefits, procedures, rights, costs, and tips for living well together. More and more young people are choosing this type of rental to enjoy better comfort/space and easily meet other students in France.

Whether you opt for a spacious home in the city centre or a charming house in the suburbs, you’ll always find available options that suit your budget and preferences.

💡 Tip: To get a more attractive price, look for flatshares slightly outside the most expensive district while staying well connected by public transport.

Why Choose Flatsharing as a Student?

Choosing a shared rental means opting for a more economical and more social lifestyle. By sharing accommodation with several people, you can enjoy more space and better-equipped rooms than in a studio, sometimes with more square meters for the same price. It also allows you to split expenses: rent, water, electricity, internet—everything is shared, making the room or flat more affordable.

If you search carefully, you might even find a house or furnished apartment with a balcony, offering a nice outdoor space to relax after class.

Beyond the savings, flatsharing offers you the opportunity to make new friends, share meals in the equipped kitchen, organise evenings in the living room, or help each other study. In cities like Paris or Strasbourg, where individual student housing is very expensive, flatsharing lets you stay close to your university, school, or city centre.

💡 Tip: Ask if the bed and furniture are already included to avoid extra costs.

The Different Types of Flatsharing

Several flatshare options exist to suit your needs and budget:

• Classic student flatshare: You share a furnished or unfurnished apartment with other students, each having their own bedroom while sharing common areas such as the equipped kitchen and bathroom.
• Solidarity flatshare: You live with people of different ages or situations, often within a non-profit setting, to create intergenerational bonds or help someone in exchange for a reduced rent.
• Flatshare in a student residence: Like those offered by UXCO Student, where you have your private bedroom and modern shared spaces (study rooms, gym, terraces, lounges). Included services make life easier: Wi-Fi, cleaning of shared areas, parcel reception…
• Furnished flatshare: Accommodation already equipped with a bed, desk, equipped kitchen, and sometimes a balcony. All you need to do is unpack your bags.

💡 Tip: To optimise your budget, compare the price per person in several flatshares and check what is actually included. Some ads are posted directly by private landlords, which can make communication and negotiation easier, especially if several rooms are still available.

Flatmates’ Rights and Responsibilities

Living in a flatshare means respecting a legal framework and rules for harmony:

• The lease: It can be individual (each tenant signs their own contract) or joint (everyone signs the same lease and is collectively responsible for rent and charges).
• Security deposit: Often equivalent to one month’s rent for an unfurnished property, two months for a furnished one.
• Charges included or not: Water, electricity, heating… sometimes included in rent, sometimes paid separately.
• Guarantor: Often required by the landlord, this can be a private individual (family) or a scheme like Visale.
• House rules: Respecting everyone’s sleep, keeping the kitchen and shared rooms tidy, fair division of chores.

💡 Tip: At UXCO Student, charges are included in the rent, avoiding unpleasant surprises and making budgeting easier. Don’t forget you may be eligible for housing aid depending on your situation, making your rental even more affordable—whether in a residence or through a private landlord.

Flatshare or Private Apartment: Which Should You Choose?

Flatshare: Ideal if you want to cut costs, enjoy a better location, and share social moments.

Private apartment: More independence and privacy, but usually a higher rent and less space (often fewer square meters than in a flatshare).

If you’re unsure, think about your personality, budget, and social needs. Some people love living with others, while some prefer peace and quiet.

💡 Tip: If you want to find student accommodation quickly, focus on student residences or advertisements for rooms that are already available.

Costs to Expect in a Flatshare

Even though flatsharing saves money, you should plan for certain expenses:

• Rent: Varies depending on the city and size of the property. A furnished apartment or one in the city centre will cost more than in the suburbs.
• Charges: Water, electricity, internet, heating… sometimes included in the rent.
• Security deposit: Paid at move-in, refunded at move-out if everything is in good condition.
• Home insurance: Mandatory, even in a flatshare.
• APL: Housing benefit that can lower your rent. Each flatmate can receive it separately.

💡 Tip: Check the move-in date to avoid paying two rents at the same time.

⭐️ Good to know: In some central residences, furnished rooms with balcony access get booked fast, so be ready with all required documents to secure your spot.

Tips for a Successful Flatshare

A successful student flatshare depends not only on the property or the price but also on the quality of relationships between flatmates. A good atmosphere makes for a pleasant environment where everyone feels comfortable in shared areas and respects each other’s privacy. Whether you’re in a large furnished apartment or a serviced residence room, adopting good habits early on is key to avoiding conflicts and fully enjoying the shared living experience.

• Choose your flatmates wisely: compatible schedules, habits, and values.
• Set clear rules: cleaning, groceries, guests, organisation of shared spaces.
• Communicate: express needs, listen to others, resolve conflicts quickly.
• Respect shared areas: clean kitchen, tidy bathroom, welcoming living room.
• Spend time together: meals, evenings out, activities to strengthen bonds.

💡 Tip: Create a chore schedule to avoid tension.

Steps to Join a Flatshare

Joining a student flatshare requires some organisation and preparation. Before signing your lease, research financial aid (like APL) and make sure you have all the necessary documents ready to build your application. This will help secure accommodation more easily and avoid delays or rejections.

• Look for listings on dedicated websites, social media, or directly through student residences.
• Visit the property and meet the flatmates.
• Sign the lease and prepare your documents (ID, enrolment certificate, guarantor…).
• Take out home insurance and check if utilities are included.
• Arrange your room to feel at home, and make sure your bed is comfortable for a good night’s sleep.

💡 Tip: Bring some personal items to create a warm atmosphere from day one.

Why Consider UXCO Student?

At UXCO Student, you can easily find a furnished flatshare in a modern student residence near your school. These accommodations are designed for students and young people, with shared spaces to work or relax, an equipped kitchen, and often extras like a balcony, gym, or terrace. Included services save you from unpleasant surprises: Wi-Fi, cleaning, events…

💡 Tip: If your preferred neighbourhood is too expensive, check residences in nearby, well-connected areas.