What is a rental record ?

The rental file is the first step in your search for accommodation. It presents the documents necessary to study the tenant's situation and assess his eligibility for housing.

Why do I have to provide a rental file ?

The objective of the rental file is to assure the lessor of the reliability of the tenant. The rental file thus provides information on the housing applicant. The documents that make up the file will make it possible to verify many points, in particular your identity, your situation or your ability to pay your rent.

Am I obliged to provide all the requested documents ?

The documents requested vary depending on the situation of the tenant or the guarantor. The mandatory documents relate to identity, proof of activity, proof of address as well as proof of income that may be requested by the lessor. The RIB is part of the constituent parts of the file by the donor organizations, which make payments via direct debit authorizations. This means of payment of the rent requires having the bank details of the tenant or the guarantor. So, although this part is not mandatory, it will be requested very often.

What happens if my file is incomplete ?

Given the number of important requests received by landlords, a complete file will be processed more quickly. Thus, if your file is incomplete, it cannot be processed and your request will not be successful.

How to put together your housing application?

The housing application is the first step in your search for accommodation. Its objective is to show your seriousness, as well as your ability to pay the rent and occupy the premises while taking care of the rented property. A complete set of documents can considerably speed up your procedures, so it is important to prepare it rigorously.

Find everything you need to know about a typical housing applications in France :

Mandatory documents for your file
Documents not required

Mandatory documents to rent accommodation

For the tenant

Identity document (identity card, passport or residence permit)
Proof of activity
- Student card or proof of attendance if a student
- Employment contract if employee
Proof of address
- Last three rent receipts if tenant
- Certificate of accommodation if hosted free of charge

For the guarantor

Identity document (identity card, passport or residence permit)
Proof of income
- Last three payslips if employee guarantor
- Last two assessments if self-employed
Proof of activity
- Employment contract if employee
- K-bis extract if guarantor is self employed
Proof of address
- Last three rent receipts if tenant
- Property tax notice if owner

Documents not required

Pursuant to the laws of July 6, 1989 and January 17, 2002, the owner is not entitled to demand certain documents, considered too confidential, such as:

Portrait photo, VITALE card
Photocopy of bank account
Certificate of proper maintenance of the bank account
Certificate of absence of credit, automatic debit authorization
Marriage contract or cohabitation certificate
Personal medical record
Criminal record extract
Extract from the family record book
Any financial document intended to reserve or guarantee your accommodation

The particular case of RIB

The RIB is very often requested as part of the file by the donor organizations which make payments via direct debit authorizations (most often by SEPA transfer). This means of payment of the rent requires having the RIB of the tenant or the guarantor.
However, this document is in no way obligatory for the study of your file. Indeed, it is illegal to refuse the file because you have not attached a RIB. If you have not attached it to your file, you will therefore be asked for it when signing the lease.