F.A.Q (Intl exchange students)

This FAQ answers many of the questions about housing for international exchange students. 

The Dauphine Paris-PSL Housing Assistance Service Offer

What services do you offer?

The Dauphine Housing Service team assists international students on semester or year-long exchanges in their search for accommodation in Paris. 

By subscribing to the Housing Assistance Service, our team will do its best to offer you accommodation in a university residence for the duration of your exchange. We will do our best to assist you with our partners in the various steps that will be taken when you move into the residence. 

When I apply, am I guaranteed a place to live?

By applying, we cannot guarantee you an automatic allocation. We have a dedicated pool of housing for international exchange students, but this pool is limited. Generally, we are able to satisfy all the requests we receive. 

Provided that your application is complete within the allotted time, our team will do its best to offer you accommodation in Paris or its suburbs (always less than 45 minutes by public transport from Dauphine) as soon as possible. As the demand for housing is very high, we strongly recommend you fill out your housing application very quickly. The more reactive you are in the constitution of your file, the more chances you will have to obtain an accommodation. You can now prepare the documents to be sent to us (see section “How to apply”). 

If we do not have any housing to offer you at the time we receive your application, your file will be put on hold until our team can make an offer. 

Accommodations

Can I choose my place of residence?

You do not have the possibility to choose your residence. You will be housed with other international Dauphine mobility students.   The only two possible housing categories are:  social students residences located mainly in central Paris or standard students residences in close Paris suburbs.  All residences are located maximum 40 minutes from Dauphine campus.

Where are located the accommodations you offer?

Most of the housing for international exchange students is so- called “social” housing, managed by the Crous de Paris. This public organization is in charge of housing a large number of national students, most of whom receive scholarships and have limited financial resources. Of simple standing, Crous residences are always located near public transportation (Metro or RER Commuter Train) for a travel time of less than 45 minutes to Dauphine. We also have more upscale housing, mainly in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, with travel times to the university  that  are  just  a fast.  In  this  case,  it  is  a  100% Dauphine residence where you will meet our national students. 

What type of housing do you offer and at what price?

Accommodations are modest social housing, the prices of which are very competitive for an apartment in Paris. Rent is around €500 for a studio. Most of the residences are individual units of about 18 m² with a kitchenette and private bathroom. The residences are equipped with convivial spaces and several laundry rooms. 

These low-rent social housing units offer a standard level of services. Check in is not always personalized. If you wish, we can provide with some more comfortable and higher standard housing options, but with higher rents (between €600 and €700).  There is also a one-month security deposit (recoverable at the end of your stay), and the first month’s rent is usually paid in advance.

In this category, we offer individual housing but also some shared apartments where each tenant has an individual room with a living room and a shared kitchen. The bathrooms can be individual or shared with another person of the same sex. Some double rooms are also available  (according to availabilities). 

In all residences, heating, electricity, and Wi-Fi are included in the rent. It should be noted that the Maintenance of the room must be done by the resident. At the end of the stay, the resident must return the apartment in good cleaning conditions. If they fail to do so, part or all their deposit will not be reimbursed, depending on the state in which the accommodation is returned. 

How are the accommodations equipped?

All accommodations are equipped with a bed, a desk, a chair, a wardrobe, and a kitchenette that includes a stove and a fridge.  In Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine (rue Dain), dishes and microwaves are provided.  Students assigned to the Crous will have to equip themselves. 

Sheets, towels, and bed linen are not provided. 

Bedding kit is available for sale (€95) to allow you to settle  in quickly upon arrival: Duvet/quilt kit for a 90 cm wide bed, Comforter cover/pillowcase/sheet/bath towel and tea towel kit.

More info: dauphine-housing.com 

How is life in the residence?

Like any public place, there are internal rules specific to each residence that must be respected, especially in terms ofnoise pollution after 10:00pm in accordance with the official French government regulations. 

It is forbidden to have guests from outside the residence (family, friends…). 

Common areas are provided for residents to meet. Alcohol is not allowed in the common areas. It is strictly prohibited to possess or consume drugs. 

Allocations

How is the waiting list managed?

The sooner we receive your application completed, the sooner you will have a chance to obtain housing. 

We give priority to the date of receipt of complete applications to activate the waiting list. Depending on the information you provide us, we may have to broaden our search and send you offers from other partners. 

Can I decline an offer or withdraw?

If you decline the offer we sent you, your file will no longer be a priority. We will then prioritize students who have not yet received an offer for housing. You may also withdraw your application, which will result in the permanent archiving of your file. 

The housing search assistance fee is not refundable under  any circumstances. 

May I request to change my residence?

As already mentioned, it is not possible to choose your residence, even to be closer to your friends. During your stay, we like the idea of exchanges within the international student community in the residence halls. However, you can ask to share a room with a friend. In this case, you will have to give us his or her name, provided of course that he or she is also an international exchange student with Dauphine. 

How to submit an application?

Application and Requested documents

Who can apply? 

Only international students officially nominated by Dauphine on a semester or a full year exchange and under 30 years old can apply for housing. We do not offer housing for couples. 

How do I apply for housing before Oct 23 noon? 

International exchange students must use this link and only this link– to apply (available in Fr or En). 

If you make a mistake and use the wrong form, your housing assistance fee will not be refunded. 

What documents do I need to provide when I fill out my application? 

To complete your housing application, you will need an official letter of appointment from your home university or from Dauphine, proof that you will be on exchange at Dauphine. 

You will also be asked for an official certificate of guarantee issued by one of the following two organizations Visale (free) or Garantme (fee). 

We recommend applying for one now. These certificates are required by all landlords in case of rent payment accidents. 

You can also choose to pay full amount of rent due for the duration of your stay (4, 6 or 10 months). In this case, you will not have to provide with a guarantee certificate. 

A home insurance certificate in case of damages in your accommodation is mandatory and will need to be included in the documents to provide when checking in. More information. 

Shared appartment and rental agreement

Can I request to be housed in a shared apartment? 

The form you fill out when you register with the Housing Assistance Service gives you the opportunity to make some requests: individual housing, co-location… Our team will do its best to satisfy your requests. 

What is the duration of my rental agreement? 

In the case of an international exchange, the rental period for the first semester must run from September 1 to December 31 or from September 1 to June 30; for the second semester, it must begin on the first working day of the year and end on June 30. In the event of an early departure of the resident, the student is required to pay the rent until the end of the lease, regardless of the reason for the early departure. 

The commitment is for the entire duration of any of these three periods with payment of rent for the entire lease period. 

Entry Procedure and Calendar

How do I get my keys?

Once you have accepted your allocation, your contact information will be transferred to the managers of the residencewhere you have been nominated. They will take over from the Housing Assistance Service to inform you of the entryprocedure to be carried out to take possession of your accommodation. They will schedule an appointment to finalize your file and give you the keys. No entry is possible without an appointment. The appointment can take place at a different address from the one of the residence to which you have been assigned but close to your future housing. 

ATTENTION: please note that you may be informed upon arrival in Paris that you will be assigned to a different residence than the one you were initially assigned to. 

When to arrive?

Before taking your plane or train ticket, please note that no entry will be possible on weekends, nor after office hours(the last possible arrival at Crous is at 4pm). 

For students assigned to the Crous, no entry is possible before the official start of the school year (January 2, 2024). If you wish to arrive a few days before, it is necessary to foresee a temporary accommodation. The residences must beable to have a period to put the accommodation in order after the departure of the previous tenants. 

In Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, early entry into the accommodation is possible if you have set an appointment with the residence manager in advance. 

When and how do I pay the rent?

Before your arrival, you will have to pay the deposit (= 1 month of rent) and the first month’s rent. If you can produce a Visale or Garantme certificate, you will pay your rent every month. If you fail to produce either of these certificates, you will have to pay the entire rent due for the period (September/December September/June – January/June) even if your departure is anticipated. 

Other Housing Websites & Tips

Other Housing Solutions

Tips

Most landlords request a security deposit to cover eventual damages to the rental property or small sums remaining due to the landlord. The security deposit for both furnished and unfurnished rental properties is limited by law to one month’s rent exclusive of ancillary charges. If the renter provides a Locapass advance, the security deposit is not required. 

Renters should make sure they understand what charges are included in the rent and what charges are his/her responsibility in addition to rent.