ACCOMMODATION

Renting

The ILL offers new employees relocation and support services to help them settle down as comfortably as possible. The ILL works directly with two external relocation companies, E-mobilia and INT Mobility, whose bilingual relocation consultants can help you reserve temporary housing, open a bank account and search for an apartment. Once you find a house or apartment, the consultants can help you negotiate a lease, obtain rental insurance and set up your utilities accounts. The relocation consultants are not real estate agents and do not receive fees from property owners or real estate agencies.

Short term accommodation

Marie Curie Residence* : https://www.sejours-affaires.com/uk/hotel-residence-aparthotel-grenoble-7.html

The Babel Community* : https://www.thebabelcommunity.com/en/grenoble/

Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.fr/

For students and researchers- 

Residence Galilee – email residence-galilee@crous-grenoble.fr

https://www.crous-grenoble.fr/logement/residence-galilee/

*ILL partners with special rates that can be booked through our relocation partners

For more information:

Specialised websites

You are also perfectly free to look for accommodations on your own.  Although most are in French only, the websites below can give you an idea of the rental market and help you begin your search. Even if you find an apartment on your own, we encourage you to work with the relocation companies so they can review the rental contract and accompany you through various administrative procedures.

 Tip:  the French word for rental is “location" or "louer”,  and you can enter postcodes for Grenoble, 38000 and 38100, to indicate the metropolitan area. Grenoble is located in the region Auvergne Rhone Alpes

Beware of possible scams. Never send money in advance from abroad!

Real estate agencies

It is common for owners to hire real estate agencies to handle the rental of their properties. Please note that the ILL will not cover real estate agency fees.  If you choose an apartment handled by a real estate agency that requires a fee, you will be need to pay the fee yourself. Nevertheless, the relocation consultants can still help you negotiate the lease, set up utilities and explain any possible tax obligations.

Guarantors

Many owners require a French guarantor. There are two programs that can substitute for a French guarantor if they are accepted by the owner: VISALE (free of charge) and Guarantme (fee-based).  The relocation companies can assist your with the application process.

Initial inventory (the État des lieux)

It is standard practice to sign off on an inventory before receiving the keys to your new home, and to do the same when you leave.

Be very careful! Be sure to note on the inventory anything missing or in poor condition on your arrival. If you do not, you could be charged for it when you leave and the sum will be deducted from your deposit. You have two weeks from your date of entry to report any discrepancy to the owner or agency.

If you want to move out before the end of the lease, legally, you must notify the owner or agency by registered letter with recorded delivery (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception). For Grenoble and many of its surrounding areas, you are legally required to give at least a one month notice because it is designated as a high-pressure housing area. Farther away or on the countryside, the requirement could be a 3 month notice.  The period of notice may be reduced under certain circumstances (loss or change of employment), but you would be required to provide an employer's certificate.

For more information

On designated high-pressure housing areas:

www.service-public.fr/simulateur/calcul/zones-tendue

Charges

In addition to your monthly rent, there are fees required for various services associated with the building (maintenance, gardening, the lift, rubbish collection, caretaker, etc). The water and heating costs are also sometimes included in the rent.

Home Insurance

You will need to take out home rental insurance (assurance risques locatifs) covering fire and flood damage.

Buying property

Since the process of purchasing property differs from one country to the next, be sure to become familiar with the real estate market, but also the steps, procedures and professionals involved in purchasing property in France.

Generally, there are two stages in a contract of sale: the sale agreement (compromis de vente) and the deed of sale (acte de vente). Besides the cost of the house or flat, you will need to take in account additional costs such as agency fees (the majority of property sales involve estate agents), notary fees and taxes. Together, these can make up over 10% of the purchase price.

You may be able to obtain a loan from a bank or other credit agency. You can consult your bank or a courtier, or mortgage broker to shop for a loan and negotiate its terms.

We encourage employees to meet with the ILL Welfare Assistant and consult the CSE (Comité social et economique) to learn about current home buying programs and other resources or special rates that may be available for first time home-buyers and certain kinds of renovations.

For more information:

See the official site of the registered notaires for valuable information on buying and selling, financing, and researching real estate (in both French and English):

See the Housing/Tax System section of https://www.notaires.fr/en