Renting as an etranger

[nakedninja]

Any top tips or places to look?

I'm looking to rent in the greater Perpignan area and hoping to go particulier, as renting through an agency will demand more proofs than I have at the minute. I feel like I've looked at every possible renting website, but if you have more then fire them at me. One downside is not having a french number, so not being able to contact people on leboncoin etc. easily.

I'm headed over there at the weekend, so I hope to get something sorted, but it's feeling a little bit touch and go as to whether I can get everything sorted in 4 days.

[Rushjob]

First question is how long for?

If it's for over 90 days do you have the necessary status / permission to remain within the Schengen zone for over 90 days and to live in France?

If so, great, but hoping to sort out a rental in 4 days in France is possibly pushing the limits a bit.

Re the french mobile number, the network Free sell SIM cards at their shops and also at automated machines called bornes usually found in tabacs, there's a Free shop and several bornes in Perpignan see HERE>>>

[Magooagain]

There are loads of English language Facebook pages for France.
Various groups etc.
Try something like expat's in Perpignan or properties for sale/rent in Perpignan or its department number.
Absolutely loads.

[Mike-tf3n0]

I have had a UK 02 sim card for years, it works just fine. As above, look on FB for local groups, our local group is for the area around Carcassonne/Limoux but they are all over the place, try this one for a start 'Perpignan et ses Alentours' seems to cover lots of different things.

[nakedninja]

Sorry, I was perhaps too vague. I have legal ability to stay in the country (and am very much looking forward to it) but just wondered about documentation. As it happened I spoke to a very lovely estate agent and am working with them to provide suitable British proofs to rent a house in the 66 region, that would put the owners mind at rest that they are going to get their money each month.

[smifffymoto]

The problem you may have is renting via an agent you need 3x rent cost as income,500 rent = 1500 income.

[nakedninja]

Just to circle back around to this: we're now renting and living in 66 as I said above.

I suspect it may vary from agent to agent, or owner to owner, but they were happy enough with the proofs I provided in order to rent me the house on a standard 3 year deal. As much as seloger, leboncoin, etc. are very useful, getting over here and talking to the people felt like the only way to make it work.

[Rushjob]

Congrats! A lovely part of the country, skiing in the morning and on the beach in the afternoon, some really nice roads up in the hills too.