Agency fees for tenants: everything you need to know about rental costs in Paris

When you rent a property through Paris-Housing, rental fees apply to cover the management and processing of your application, including viewing appointments, application handling, rental negotiation, and contract drafting.

These tenant fees vary based on the type of rental contract chosen, with three main options tailored to your specific needs: primary residence, secondary residence, and company rental.

Real estate agent in Paris explaining agency fees and rental conditions to tenants

The three types of rental contracts in Paris

The primary residence rental

A primary residence is the property you occupy regularly and where you live most of the year, maintaining both personal and professional ties.

Rental duration:

12-month renewable contract for furnished properties
3-year renewable contract for unfurnished properties (6 years if the landlord is a legal entity)

Agency fees payable by the tenant:

€12 (including VAT) per square meter of habitable space

Security deposit:

2 months' rent excluding charges for furnished properties
1 month's rent excluding charges for unfurnished properties

Specific conditions:

This rental falls under the French ‘Alur’ Law, which imposes guidelines regarding rental duration, rent setting, annual adjustment, as well as managing security deposits and tenant charges.

The secondary residence rental

A secondary residence is a property rented for temporary or occasional stays, such as for work or as a pied-à-terre. This type of rental does not qualify as a primary residence for tax purposes.

Rental duration:

Flexible, ranging from 3 to 12 months extendable, or 12 months renewable.

Agency fees payable by the tenant based on rental duration:

For a 3 to 12-month extendable rental: 1 month's rent including charges (VAT included)
Each extension is billed at 50% of one month's rent (VAT included)
For a 12-month renewable rental: 10% (VAT included) of the annual rent, charges included

Security deposit:

2 months' rent including charges for furnished properties
1 month's rent including charges for unfurnished properties

Specific conditions:

This rental type follows the French Civil Code, offering more contractual flexibility. Both parties can negotiate terms such as rental duration, renewal policies, and rent adjustments.

The company rental

A company rental is a rental contract signed by a company, usually for employee housing, expatriate families, or temporary assignments. Here, the tenant is the company, not the individual living on the premises.

Rental duration:

Flexible, from 3 to 12 months extendable, or 12 months renewable.

Agency fees payable by the company depending on rental duration:

For a 3 to 12-month extendable rental: 1 month's rent including charges + applicable VAT
Each extension is billed at 50% of one month's rent + applicable VAT
For a 12-month rental (furnished) or 3-year renewable rental (unfurnished): 10% of the annual rent including charges + applicable VAT

Security deposit:

2 months' rent including charges for furnished properties
1 month's rent including charges for unfurnished properties.

Specific conditions:

This rental type also adheres to the Civil Code. The company must specify the individual(s) occupying the property, with any occupant change requiring prior approval from Paris-Housing.

Agency fees for tenants: our team is here to help

Have questions about agency fees or need support with your rental contract? Our expert advisors are available to provide guidance and answer all your questions about rental fees for tenants in Paris.