Finding a long-term rental

RENTING a property long-term provides you with a certain security whilst searching for a dream home in France, but finding a place can be tough.

All the books on buying in France recommend renting a place first so that you can get a better idea of an area, and see it outside of just two weeks in the middle of August.

But the books don’t really go into any great detail about finding a place, and as a recent reader of the site said in an email it can be a frustrating experience. He wrote:

The principal problem I have found is in actually getting at web sites that might have long-term rental offerings.
When you start to search under ‘maisons a louer’, you inevitably end up with hundreds of pages of holiday gites.
Whilst most of these are fine for a fortnight, experience indicates that many would not be suitable for longer term living, especially in the winter, and of course, one would not want to be paying anything like normal holiday rates for a long-term rental.

There is no doubt that holiday home properties are often mixed up with places that could be used for a number of months.

Personally, when I looked to rent a property for six months, from October to March, I narrowed down the area I was searching in and prepared a standard email outlining my requirements and circumstances.

Then I contacted the owners of any properties that caught my eye, sending each one my set email message and after a couple of weeks had found a place.

Looking to stay in a place out of season is the key element as most property owners would love to have someone in their place through the winter.

But problems can arise when storing your own furniture and belongings, especially if the place you have your eye on is let furnished.

Again I would check through the description of the place you are keen to stay in, I know a family who came across with everything and stored their things in a barn which was attached to the home they were using.

Another possibility is to store your belongings for a month or two back in the UK and during your time in France look for a place to move your items to. Imagine if you didn’t like the area you were staying in and had to drag everything back across the Channel.

A couple of other things are worth considering when staying in a place for a period of time.

Make sure your chosen property is going to be warm enough in winter, and be clear about what bills you are going to be paying. For example, the price of oil for central heating systems has rocketed over the past months so try and get an idea of the going rate.

Mobile phone coverage is also something to consider, it has got much better in recent years in France, but there can still be areas where speeds might be limited.

ADSL might be available, but again countryside properties might have poor speeds, although towns and villages will enjoy much faster internet speeds.

And finally if you are looking to extend your rental period it is so much easier to find another place once in an area should you have to leave your original house.

So what hints and tips would you offer?

Related articles:
Take a first step by renting
Letting to house-bunters

Comments

[Pamela Moore]

We have a Maison d maitre and a farmhouse in a small hamlet between Periguex and Limoges. We are willing to let either one or both properties on a medium term basis (4 to 12 months)either furnished or unfurnished. The rates vary depending on the time of year, length of rental, etc. If you desire photos or additional information, please contact at pamela@tsr-i.com

[Mr Anthony Guy]

Looking for long term rental, possibly 12 months from May 2007. Interested in seeing pictures of properties you may have available.
We do have a four year old "very well behaved dog" would this be a problem? We are looking for property in the South West. La Rochelle would be nice, but really open to anything really!!
Look forward to your response

[darren]

my partner, cousin and i are looking to make a fresh start in france on a small budget can anyone help us?

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Darren

Many thanks for dropping in on This French Life, hope you find plenty to read.

You might want to start with a piece I wrote a wee while ago, please see:

Tips on moving to France
http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2004/11/tips_on_moving_.html

Hope this helps

Craig

[Brian Nixon]

I have a house in La Rochelle which I would like to rent out long term. It is a detached house with 4 bedrooms, garage and swimming pool. Please contact brian@belcomnetworks.com

[claire allen]

can eny one help??? we are looking for a 3 bed house in brittany( loude'ac } area. we have a dog who is clean and 2 children, we are hopefully going to move to france permantly, but would like to rent a property for 6 months or more, thanks claire allen

[Brian Dawson]

We are looking to rent a property for 3 to 6 months in the Poitou Charente region whilst we look for a sutable property to take up for residence in France

Our difficult situation is that we have 3 boxer dogs and a parrot so we are looking for a place that allows pets

What are our chances of acheiving a rental

Thanks
Brian and Barbara

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Brian
I think you will just have to send a few emails to see if someone is willing to take you and the "family" in.
The market is quiet at this time of year so you may be able to find a place to rent for a month, which will allow you to track down somewhere else longer term.
If you do find a place to rent in France and have any tips from the experience please feel free to add another comment.
All the best, Craig

[youra]

je souhaite louer ma maison un an du 1er juillet 2007 à juillet 2008, maison en rondins 200 m2, vue sur un lac, piscine
nous contacter
05.55.69.68.76

[ian]

my husband and I are looking for a large property that sleeps up to 14, with a group room and swimmingpool to run workshops and retreats in the Bergerac region. if anyone knows of something within 45 mins of Bergerac we would love to hear fron you.
all the best, Brigit
+44 1582 882414

[Mike]

My daughter is attending school in Rennes and I would like to visit and stay in Rennes from Sept to middle of December.

I'm on a fixed/limited income so a small flat would be fine for me.

Are there any places in Rennes for this?

Thanks much!

[bridget monahan]

Hi,

My husband, myself and our 4 children
are looking for a long term rental
in south west france while we look for
a new family home. Preferably near primary school etc and room for granny
and grandad to visit.

Thanks Bridget

[Ian]

looking for 12 month rental - any nice part of france - rural setting - detached - private - 3 beds min. MUST have 24x7 internet conenction for my work ( travel writer ).
We have 2 very well behaved dogs - one is blind so secure area would help but not essential.
ibizaibizaibiza@hotmail.com

[Tina]

Hi
myself my two children age 9 and 13 two rabbits and two ponys are looking for a long term rental in the averyon , preferably figeac area whilst looking for our new home. maybe something with a barn and a acre or two .

kind regards
Tina

[linda jane barbour]

Hi -I would love rent a property in the South of France to have as a base to look for a property to buy.
I have 2 children and 2 11year old cats both brother and sister. I have a small minature jack russell all very well behaved pets and not noisey etc.
Please send info of your property to rent if all these details above are ok with you- I dont want to spend more than 550 £ per month and would love broadband connection.
Thankyou for your time.have a lovely day all

[Margo Bedingfield]

Dear Linda

I am replying on behalf of my sister, Margo, who has a lovely house in Issigeac in the Dordogne - about 20 mins from Bergerac.

They are very happy to accommodate your cats and jack russel. Their telephone number at home is 00 33 5 61718944. Their e-mail address is as above but they are in the process of replacing a faulty cable.

She would be very happy to tell you more.

Many thanks

Lynn Darwin

[Ruth & Dave]

We have a house for rent 3-6 months in central brittany. Sat TV/Broadband etc., Local english/french speaking support for house hunters. Pets welcome, contact us for more details.

[Arthur Akeroyd]

We need a long term rental.

We are retirees, looking to purchase a home in Perpignan or vicinity. We are willing to work and take care of the rental property. Our email is titiancelt@yahoo.com and phone number1-970-376-2166. We would like to be in France by Middle of May.

[Alexa]

Hi there,
I'm looking for a long term rental from June 07 minimum 6 months with a view to possibly extend, preferably in the Montpellier or Pepignan region.
Ideally 2 or 3 bedrooms and with Sat TV.
Also willing to house sit / maintain a property whilst looking to buy.
Please email me with details if interested.Many thanks

[George Foord]

Looking to rent a 2/3 bed house in Cotes d'Armor (Area 22) around Plancoet. Must have a garden and if furnished storage space for our furniture. Minimum 3 months from September while we house hunt. We are retired with 2 cats.

[Shelley Cowling]

a friend and i are looking for a place to rent for 6 weeks this summer commencing 1st july. we are responsible adults with two well behaved little dogs. please let me know of anything available. thank you

[Louise Spong]

I am looking for a property with 2 bedrooms and reliable internet connection, cat friendly within a one hour drive of Bordeaux/Bergerac, commencing September 2008 for 6-12month period.

Can anyone help?

[Tracy Morris]

Hi,
We have a 2 bedroom apartment in a gated building with communal gardens & guardien and seperate storeroom in the beautiful volcanic national park in Puy de dome, Auvergne. Lovely and warm in summer and 15 mins from ski slopes in winter.
Close to lakes, walking trails and waterfalls in a historical thermale village.
This will be avialble for long term rental from beginning of July.
Rental price negotiable.

[Teri and Simon]

We are looking for a long term rental from the end of July for us and four little dogs while we look for a place to buy. We would like to be near Locarn in the cotes d'armor region. I have just finished 22 yrs service in the Forces and have been living in military provided housing so we are trust worthy tennants.
Can anyone help us please??
Thank you Simon and Teri

[deb]

Hi, we are a family of five with one well behaved dog looking for long term rental in the Vendee from August whilst we look for a home to buy. We need to be within an hours drive of Nantes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Rob Dewhurst]

Hi

Family of 4 with dog looking in the Dordogne region for long term rental of 6mnths + from this september 07. Need to have broadband connection in property for work as well.

Anyone who has a suitable property please email me at sales@groupwaretrading.co.uk.

Thanks
Rob

[Lyn McIntosh-Sherwood]

My husband and I, both retired, are looking for a small house with a small garden in the Bonneval (28) area of SW France. We have two well behaved dogs and a cat. We are hoping to have our Visas and be there by the first of September. Looking for a long term rental.

Thanks!

Lyn McIntosh-Sherwood

[Mrs. H.J.Eatwell]

We wanted to let our house in Cognac last year, and would have been happy to rent it for 3 or 6 months to house-hunters, had we known of French Locations! I would suggest those looking for a house or flat visit estate agents in your desired area, which is how we let our house, but beware, the usual period is often for 3 years, occasionally for one.

[Rory and Paula England]

Would like a long term term rental to improve our French! Young retired couple. Need room for family to visit during school holidays.

pae49@hotmail.co.uk

[mrs J Diner]

Would like a min 3 month rental in/within 10 miles of La Rochelle, commencing mid/end Sept 07.
View to relocating. We are 2