Long term rentals in France

FRANCE is a hugely popular country to visit but in many areas there can be an oversupply of gîte accommodation.

This coupled with a relatively short summer season can make it difficult for many rental property owners to sustain a viable business, writes Ross Husband of Rent a place in France.

The ability to rent your property out for longer periods either off-season or year-round can be attractive to many owners.

These longer lets can offer owners the ability to maximise the rental potential of their property - peak season holiday rentals and long off-season rentals can be a winning combination.

While some owners opt for long lets year round with no changeovers and a regular monthly income.

The market for long lets is healthy in many areas of France. They are popular with house hunters from northern Europe, especially the UK, who are looking to rent before buying, retirees looking for a long winter break, artists, writers, or those on sabbaticals.

Most properties are let furnished, but there are different rules for unfurnished properties and leases for these normally run for three years minimum.

If you are considering renting your property out for longer lets you should ensure that it is adequately heated and equipped for the winter months - even the south of France can experience very cold weather.

Ensure that the tenant is given accurate and comprehensive details of your property at the outset, including the monthly rental price, location, type of accommodation, interior style and furnishings, facilities, details of any outside space and surrounding area.

Photos are extremely important in any advert, try to include a good balance of interior and exterior shots. A picture of a welcoming open log fire or wood-burning stove is a good idea for long winter rentals.

Ideally the tenant should view the property and meet the owners before committing to a rental, this is particularly important for longer lets of six months or a year.

Prospective tenants need to ensure they know exactly what the monthly costs will be. Are utilities, logs, linen, local taxes included or are they extra? Is a deposit required, when is the monthly rental due and what currency is acceptable?

If you are looking to buy property but are unsure of the exact area, two or three longer lets in different areas can be a good option. We did just that before purchasing our place in France.

Whether its extra revenue for the owner or a life changing experience for the tenant, long lets can be rewarding.

Comments

[Robert & Agnes Reid]

We are a retired couple (Scotland) seeking long term rental in either Brittany or Normandy.
From 1st April 2008.
Preferably with two to three bedrooms in an unfurnished property
(or furnished with large storage space for own furniture)
Our intention is to purchase and settle in France.

[Sarah Rose]

Hello to all you brave and wonderful people who have dared to venture out of our cold dark Britain.

I am looking for advice on long term renting and you may possibly have the answer!.. My fiance and i are looking for a house, somewhere along the west, or south coast, from next summer 2009. We were going to buy a property next year, but have now decided to be a little more cautious and rent in a nice area first!

No further than 45 mins from a coastline and preferably no further than an hour from an airport. We are open to suggestions!

It must have at least 4 bedrooms, as i would like my mother and 3 children to visit us when they like (just starting to cut the apron strings is not so easy!). It must be doggy friendly, but only for when my mother brings her 'very friendly' border collie over. I would love to find a place that either has horses that i can ride, or a riding stable nearby.

I need to make those special contacts with others abroad so that we dont feel isolated, as we are very friendly sociable people. Also the rental will need EXCELLENT internet connection, as my fiance runs his business on line (he is a consultant engineer and i qualified as an English Teacher, but now help my fiance).

I would love to have a pool, or shared pool and if the accommodation could have some oldy woldy original fireplace, etc features, that would be a bonus.

The areas we have been looking at are between south Loire coastish, and down to south La Rochelle, but we are open to suggestions!

We are planning to visit different areas at least 3 times this year, so if anyone has nice places for us to stay, it would be great to arrange and meet others who have already taken the plunge!

Looking forward to your replies

Sarah and Mike xxx

[Susan Lane]

I am looking for a long term rental of 3 - 6 months from September 2008 in the Port of Nice, preferably right on the Port with a view of the harbour from the windows.I am currently renting a very good holiday let but it may prove expensive for a longer term arrangement. I am looking for 2 actual bedrooms though would also consider 1 bedroom; As I am writing, I will need internet/wifi/phone connection, plus tv and full working kitchen so I can cook all the lovely local produce. I shall be renting for one person, myself for all of the time and will have an occasional guest/relative for a week or so. I would like the rental charge to include all bills. I am a non smoker, have no children nor pets to consider. As I am currently in Nice I would be available to view suitable properties, Many thanks Susan

[Julien&Alice]

We offer a long term rental opportunity in an unfurnished renovated house separated into two accommodations (approx. 90 sqm basement + 1st floor each) located in Beauronne, near Mussidan in the Dordogne.

Accommodation n° 1: kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, lavatory, shower, garage, small terrace, garden.

Accommodation n° 2: kitchenette, living room with fireplace, two bedrooms, lavatory, bathroom, small terrace, garden.

More infos under:
http://beauronne-dordogne-rental.blogspot.com/

[Deborah Eaton]

Single woman with 2 very well behaved dogs, looking to rent a 2-bed property with private pool for 6 months.

Would like the tenancy to begin from the second week in May but am flexible.

Prefer rural and will be looking into renting a small car if need be.

Smoke but willing to confine this to outdoors if necessary

Maximum rent would be 700 euros per month all-inclusive.

If suitable please get back in touch?

Many thanks.

Debbie

[FRANK G PATTERSO]

LOOKING TO RENT A 2 BEDROOM PROPERTY IN THE CHARENTE OR LIMOUSIN REGION FOR A PERIOD OF 6
MTHS...
THIS IN ORDER TO CHECK OUT AS TO WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BUY.

FRANK AND LYNNETTE

[Jutta Reynolds]

I am looking for a property with some land to rent or lease for approx one year with the option to purchase. The property should be suitable to establish a small but charming B + B business.

[Mary Capocci]

Hi
I am looking to rent a property in France for one month this August. I know I am leaving it very late to find anywhere.
We are felible about our dates between July and August.
There are four of us. We dont mind about sleeping arrangements so can have 1 bedroom plus. We dont mind a larger house.
We would like a pool or to be close to the beach. With easy acess to a port (to England).
If you know of anywhere suitable or have a place we could stay in for the month I would be most grateful to hear from you.
Thank you in advance for all your help and taking the time to read this.
Mary

[Susan Lane]

I am looking for a long term rental of 6-12 months from mid September 2008 in the Port of Nice, preferably right on the Port with a view of the harbour from the windows. I am looking for 2 actual bedrooms though would also consider 1 bedroom; As I am writing, I will need internet/wifi/phone connection, plus tv and full working kitchen so I can cook all the lovely local produce. I shall be renting for one person, myself for all of the time and will have an occasional guest/relative for a week or so. I would like the rental charge to include all bills. I am a non smoker, have no children nor pets to consider. I would be available to view suitable properties, Many thanks Susan

[Steven]

I am looking for a long term rental from November to February/March 2009.I need internet and Sky television in a two bedroomed appartment not too far from a railway station.I would be willing to rent for several years.

[john o connell]

HAVE LUXURY APT TO LET IN LE BOULOU 8KM FROM SPANISH BORDER WARM CLIMATE ALMOST ALL YEAR ROUND
AIR CON ETC
APT IS IN OLD TOWN HOUSE WELL LOCATED TO MED SEA AND MOUNTAINS STUDIO 1 BED OR 2 BED APTS TO LET

[Gerry]

We posted this ad a couple of weeks ago on the forum. Since then we've advertised it on the web with photos that you can see here:

http://www.premierfrenchproperty.com/property/long-term-rental-large-character-stone-farmhouse-dordogne-and-lot-et-garonne-borders

Here's a short description of the property for rent.

Completely renovated stone farmhouse situated 20 minutes south of Bergerac airport in the Lot-et-Garonne.

Available in January 2009. Minimum 6 months to 3 years.

The farmhouse has over 200m2 of habitable space. On the ground floor is a new, fitted kitchen of 25m2 with woodburner, lounge of 50m2 with woodburner and downstairs toilet. On the first floor are two large bedrooms of 25m2 and bathroom of 25m2. On the second floor are a further two bedrooms of 16m2 and shower room. There are electric radiators in each room.

The property, on the edge of a small village, sits on the top of a hill in five acres with beautiful views to the south. It is 3km from the bastide town of Castillonnes and 9km from Villereal. Tenants will have full use of the newly installed 10m x 5m swimming pool.

[Suzanne Kendell]

Hi
I am looking for a long term rental for the month of july 09...There are 2 adults and 4 children in my family. We would ideally like a property with a pool/shared pool, in the Loire or Charente area. I am finding great difficulty getting responses to my request...please help!!!
Yours
Suzanne Kendell

[kelle]

im looking for a two bedroomed property in the languedoc area for myself and daughter. we are looking to be moving of summer 09, fully furnished, local schools near by.

[kelly]

hi
im looking for a two bedroomed house to rent for long term for myself and 5 year old daughter. fully furnished is required, possibly a pool/shared pool, local state run schools near by as i dont drive. any information will be happily taken.
thanks
kelly

[Sheila Lloyd]

I have a two bedroomed converted barn, complately modernised. Please see www.trausseholidayrentals.net for al information. It is available as a long winter let until end March 2009, possibly april 2009. If you are interested we can discuss special rates, etc.

[Karen Kingham]

Can anyone help us?
We are loking for a long term rental, from 31st Jan 2009 .. for a minimum of 12 months.possibly longer. We are looking for a permanent move to France. We have two children, (9 and 5) and a Border Terrier (2)
We are looking for a 4 bed (min), unfurnished (or furnished with storage) house, with garden, (pref pool..but not essential)and broadband.. other than that we are flexible...(!)
If anyone can help, please contact us, we have tennants for our house in the UK moving in on 31st January 2009...and as yet no where for us to move to!

[Dave Fox]

We have a 4/5 bed new house in Erdeven (in a 10-house hamlet) on a 1300m2 plot. Carnac, Auray, Vannes are all nearby and we are some 10 mins from superb beaches/sands. Currently being decorated, we feel that our family house-to-be will more than suffice.

[Una]

Hi I have a lovey 1bed apartment in Villefranche-sur-mer, one of the most beautiful towns on the french riviera. It's only 5 minutes from the centre of Nice and 17 minutes from Monaco. I am renting it out long term starting immediately. It's a perfect place to experience living on the cote d'azur.
Please don't hesitate to contact me for more info.
Una

[Tomas]

Looking to long-term rent apartment closed to Nice

[Sharon Ward Giles]

Hi, I am looking for a house with a little land maybe a swimming pool. A smalll holding or something like that for my family to rent for 6 months. We would like to buy in france but want to try it first. We would need 5 bedrooms. My son has a job in the south, Memosa starting in April 09.Can anyone help

[Heather]

We are a retired couple looking for a long term rental in the Dordogne for possibly 6 months to a year.
We would need at least two bedrooms and broadband access.

[Erica]

Hi!
I have a beautiful studio: one space with kitchenette, sitting/sleeping area,a beautiful terrace with breath-taking views, plus possibly an extra bedroom,internet facilities,suitable for two people.The studio is at the edge of a small village, with no shops, but friendly people (I am one of them, living next door)plenty of quiet and at walking distance from a beautiful forest.
The studio is available for long term rental and is situated in the Gard, near the river Ardèche.

[Lynne]

LOOKING FOR UNA
RE APT IN VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER

PLEASE contact me elginwood@yahoo.com Thanks!
Lynne
Una commented on Saturday, November 08, 2008, 9:48:30 AM | Una
Hi I have a lovey 1bed apartment in Villefranche-sur-mer, one of the most beautiful towns on the french riviera. It's only 5 minutes from the centre of Nice and 17 minutes from Monaco. I am renting it out long term starting immediately. It's a perfect place to experience living on the cote d'azur.
Please don't hesitate to contact me for more info.
Una

[karolina]

Hi,
My husband and I are looking for long term rent appartment (6 months or longer) in Nice center, 1-2 bedroom. We would like to move in as soon as possible. Many thanks, Karolina

[Cathrine Tennant]

Hi,

My husband and I are looking for a long term let in Burgundy. Min 6 months but hopfully longer.

A three/four bedroomed property with gardens for our children to play in would be ideal.

Many Thanks,

Cathrine

[Marguerite Slade]

We are a retired couple and are looking for around 5 months' rental in Northern France whilst we wait out the British quarantine regulations with our 3 dogs and 3 cats. We will move from North Cyprus during October. The property needs to be rural, furnished and with at least two bedrooms. If you are able to help, we could put other couples in the same situation your way! Email address: margi@kktc.net. Phone: 0090 392 821 2502

Marguerite and Ian Slade

[aubriella]

Hi,we're looking for a small apartment,fully furnished to rent for 2 to 3 months(july,aug.sept) for 2 people somewhere along the NICE area.
Thanks
aubriella

[Geoff and Yvonne Allsup]

We are a retired couple and would like a long term rental for 1/2 years in Charente-Maritime or Charente from March 2009. Ideally it would be unfurnished and have 3/4 bedrooms, reasonable sized garden + swimming pool? We will eventually purchase a property in France but would like to move to this area for the time being. Thank you for your help in this matter.

[Bill Colegrave]

We have a magnificent 8 bedroom villa near Grasse, Cote D'Azur available for long term or short term rental immediately. Suitable for family moving to the area for extended period and wonderful for vacation rent. It also makes a brilliant business proposition as rentals are very good in the summer and some winter months.