How to Find the Best Rental Apartments in Paris

Paris is one of the most sought after cities in the world; with its beautiful streets, gorgeous architecture, state of the art museums, and abundance of culinary delights, it’s no wonder that tourists and expats from all over the world flock to the French capital. Whether you’re moving to Paris for business or pleasure, be sure you find the best rental apartment that will help make your Paris experience truly unforgettable.

However, with so many options available in so many different locations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed while searching for your perfect Paris rental apartment. But, don’t worry, you will find your new home in Paris. We’re here to walk you through how to determine your needs and budget, choose the right location, use reputable platforms, read reviews, consider amenities, check hidden costs, contact the property owner, take into account the time of year to book accordingly, and hire a local expert in this blog post to ensure the best Paris rental experience.

Determine your needs and budget

Before even looking at apartments, you need to ask yourself what your home needs are and what your budget is. Ultimately, this will help you narrow down your search to find a rental that best suits your requirements. Do you need a short term accommodation, or are you looking for something more medium to long term? Are you taking on this Paris journey alone, or are your friends or family moving with you? Would you rather live in a studio apartment in the city center, or would you prefer to live in a one or two bedroom apartment a bit further out?

Also, consider how much you’d be willing to pay for the type of apartment you want. Keep in mind that the same type of rentals close to all the action in the city will cost more than one located a metro ride away, so it’s important to have all your preferences sorted before beginning your search.

Choose the right location

Paris is a large city, so there are many neighborhoods with their own unique characteristics to choose from. In order to find the best Paris rental apartment for you, the location matters. Think about what activities, attractions, and amenities you want to have close to you. If you want to spend your time exploring cultural sites, you may want to choose an apartment in the Marais or the Latin Quarter. If you want to shop, choose an apartment in the Champs-Elysees or the Rue Saint-Honoré area.

Use reputable rental platforms

There are many websites that offer short to long term stays in rental apartments in Paris, from online travel agencies to local real estate agents. While searching for your perfect Paris apartment, be sure to use a reputable rental website to ensure that you get the best accommodation while avoiding scams. For touristic short stays, Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com are your best bets. But if you’re looking for something more in the medium to long term stay range, then platforms like Ukio and Numa Stays offer more cost effective options for both beautiful and furnished apartments.

Read reviews

Before diving in and booking your Paris rental apartment, be sure to read reviews from previous guests to get a feel of the apartment and an idea of what your stay will look like. Reviews can provide you with information about the quality of the accommodation, the location, and the service. The best reviews are ones for guests who have stayed for a similar length of time and have a similar group size as yours.

Consider the amenities

Each rental apartment comes with differing amenities. Although you’ve probably already figured out the number of rooms and the availability of a kitchen and living room earlier on in your search, you should also consider if you will need Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and heating. Make sure your apartment includes all your required amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.

Check for hidden costs

Oftentimes, rental apartments come with additional costs, such as cleaning fees, service fees, and taxes, on top of the monthly rent. Check the terms and conditions or rental contract before booking to avoid surprise costs. This will also help to make sure that the final cost of the apartment stays within your budget.

Contact the owner or the property manager

Before securing your apartment booking, contact the owner or property manager of the apartment to ask any questions or doubts you may have about the apartment or the neighborhood. Ideally, you’d want to visit the apartment in person, but this is the second best option as they can give valuable insights into the quality of the accommodation.

Consider the season and book early

Apartment rentals is a highly seasonal industry, and the time of year can greatly affect the availability of apartments in Paris. During peak tourist season, the price tends to be higher, and good apartments get snatched off the market quickly. You may have a bit more leeway in the off season, but be sure to take the seasonal factor into consideration and adjust your search accordingly.

That being said, if you’re trying to get an apartment during the summer, be sure to be on top of your apartment search and book as soon as you find anything you like. Booking early ensures that you have the widest selection of apartments to choose from and that you will get the best deal.

Hire a local expert

If you’re feeling a bit unsure about finding the best rental apartment in Paris, it never hurts to hire some professional help. Local real estate agents know the apartments, neighborhoods, rental paperwork, and pricing the best. Even if you don’t want to rent through a real estate company, they can still provide you with valuable information regarding the market.

Booking your Paris apartment with Ukio

Finding the best rental apartment in Paris for you and your necessities is a task in itself; there’s a lot to consider, from the price, amenities, location, number of bedrooms, and so on. Many people want to move to Paris each year for a short to long term stay in the city, so competition for the perfect apartment can get very high. However, if you follow these tips, finding your Paris rental apartment should be a piece of cake.

If you’re looking for a fully furnished and artfully decorated stay in the City of Lights, look no further than Ukio. We have apartments available across the city for month-long stays that are ready for you to walk in the front door to begin your Paris adventure. Find your next Paris home on our website.