Why call upon a professional to help with finding tenants for your property?

Hiring a professional real estate agency to find tenants allows landlords in France to save time, increase their property's visibility and secure the rental process. Several options are available for finding tenants: word of mouth, advertising a property directly as a private landlord or working with an agency specializing in tenant searches. A professional agency can assist property owners with rental price estimates, preparing and promoting listings, organizing viewings, assessing applicants' financial reliability, checking legally permitted supporting documents and preparing rental agreements. This service is particularly useful for landlords with limited availability, those living far from their rental property or those wishing to reduce rental vacancy risks. To choose the right real estate agency, landlords should assess its knowledge of the local market, expertise in the relevant type of rental, advertising channels, services included in the agreement, agency fees and professional guarantees. For furnished rentals, a specialist agency can help reach students, expatriates and internationally mobile professionals. Tenant-finding fees must be distinguished from ongoing rental property management fees. For properties rented as a tenant's primary residence in France, certain fees relating to viewings, application files, rental agreements and check-in inspections may be shared between landlords and tenants, subject to legal limits. Tenant selection must comply with regulations governing permissible supporting documents and non-discrimination. Since 1999, Lodgis has supported property owners with furnished rentals in Paris and major French cities through a multilingual website, French and international customers, and a range of tenant-finding and property management services. Landlords can delegate tenant searches alone or choose more comprehensive assistance, with rental management packages starting from 3.9% including VAT of rental income, depending on the selected package.

Finding a reliable tenant, renting out an apartment quickly and securing rental income are priorities for every landlord. However, finding tenants can quickly become time-consuming: writing the property listing, organizing viewings, checking application files, choosing the right candidate and preparing the rental agreement. All these steps require time and a good understanding of the real estate market.

Several solutions are available for renting out your property: relying on word of mouth, publishing a listing directly as a private landlord or hiring a real estate agency specializing in finding tenants.

But which solution should you choose? What are the advantages of working with a professional? And, most importantly, how do you select the right real estate agency to rent out your apartment?

Specializing in furnished rentals since 1999, Lodgis supports property owners with finding and selecting tenants in Paris and major French cities. Discover our advice for finding the right tenant and choosing the real estate professional best suited to your project.


1. What are the different ways to find a tenant?

Before entrusting your tenant search to a professional, it is important to understand the different options available.

Use word of mouth to find a tenant

Word of mouth is one way to find tenants for your apartment. You can let friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues or even your building's caretaker know that your property is available for rent.

This method has the advantage of being simple and free. It may also put you in contact with applicants recommended by people you know.

However, it has several limitations:

Word of mouth can therefore be a useful additional method, but it is rarely sufficient to optimize tenant searches, particularly for furnished rentals that require regular marketing.

Advertise your rental property directly as a private landlord

Another option is to publish your property listing yourself on a real estate portal or a website specializing in rentals directly between private individuals.

This approach allows you to retain control over every stage of the rental process without delegating the tenant search to an agency.

However, to attract genuinely interested applicants, your listing must be sufficiently detailed and appealing.

In particular, it should include:

It is also advisable to describe the neighborhood's advantages, proximity to public transport and shops, and the rental conditions.

However, publishing a listing is not enough to find the right tenant.

You will then need to respond to enquiries, organize viewings, review applications, verify supporting documents and prepare the rental agreement.

These tasks can quickly become demanding, particularly if you live far from the property or have limited time available.

Entrust your tenant search to a real estate professional

Working with a real estate agency allows you to delegate some or all of the tasks involved in renting out your property.

The professional can market the accommodation, identify potential tenants, review application files and support you through to the signing of the rental agreement.

This approach helps you save time, benefit from expertise in the rental market and improve the tenant selection process.

It is particularly attractive for landlords who want to rent out their apartments without personally managing every stage of the search.


2. Why use a real estate agency to find tenants?

Entrusting your tenant search to a professional involves much more than delegating the publication of a property listing. A real estate agency provides valuable expertise at every stage of the rental process.

Increase the visibility of your rental listing

To find a tenant quickly, it is essential to give your property sufficient visibility among potential applicants.

Real estate agencies generally have several marketing channels:

An agency specializing in furnished rentals can also reach specific audiences, including students, professionals relocating for work and expatriates.

With its website available in eight languages and its French and international customer base, Lodgis offers landlords visibility tailored to the furnished rental market.

Set the right rent to minimize vacancy periods

Setting the rental price is a crucial step.

If the asking rent is too high compared with the market, it may discourage potential tenants and extend the period during which the property remains vacant. Conversely, setting the rent too low can reduce the profitability of your investment.

A real estate professional can help you determine an appropriate rental price by considering:

The objective is to find the right balance between the property's attractiveness and rental profitability while complying with current regulations.

Save time on rental procedures

Finding a tenant involves numerous tasks: handling enquiries, answering questions, organizing appointments, collecting supporting documents and communicating with applicants.

By entrusting these responsibilities to a professional, you benefit from a dedicated contact who coordinates the different stages of marketing your property.

You can therefore focus on your real estate investment without having to handle every administrative task yourself.

Select reliable and financially qualified tenants

Choosing the right tenant is one of the most important stages of the rental process.

Before signing a rental agreement, it is essential to ensure that the applicant has a consistent application file and sufficient financial resources in relation to the rent.

A professional can assist you with:

Tenant selection must always be based on objective criteria and comply with regulations concerning permissible supporting documents and non-discrimination.

To learn more, consult our guide to choosing and assessing your future tenant.

How to Choose the Right Tenant

Ensure legal and administrative compliance

Renting out an apartment involves numerous legal obligations.

Landlords must provide mandatory property surveys, comply with rent-setting regulations, choose the appropriate rental agreement and supply all legally required information.

Depending on the circumstances, several types of rental agreements may be available, including standard furnished leases, student leases and mobility leases (bail mobilité).

A specialized agency understands the particular requirements of these contracts and can help landlords choose the legal framework best suited to their property and rental project.

Working with a professional therefore helps reduce administrative errors and provides greater security for the contractual relationship.


3. How do you choose the right professional to find a tenant?

Not all real estate agencies offer the same services, have access to the same networks or possess the same level of expertise.

Choosing the right professional is therefore essential to optimizing your rental process.

Here are the main criteria to consider before entrusting your tenant search to an agency.

Choose an agency that understands your local property market

A thorough understanding of the local market helps position your property effectively.

The professional should be able to analyze rental demand in your area, identify potential tenant profiles and advise you on the appropriate rental price.

They should also understand local regulatory requirements, particularly any applicable rent control measures.

It is therefore preferable to select an agency with practical experience in the geographical area where your accommodation is located.

Choose a specialist in your type of rental property

Furnished and unfurnished rentals differ significantly, particularly regarding mandatory equipment, lease duration, security deposits and tenant profiles.

If you own a furnished apartment, it may be particularly advantageous to work with a real estate agency specializing in furnished rentals.

These professionals understand the expectations of students, expatriates, employees on temporary assignments and other tenants looking for ready-to-move-in accommodation.

A specialist agency can also advise you on furnishing and equipping your property to improve its appeal.

Review the agency's marketing resources

Before choosing an agency, find out which methods it uses to advertise properties and attract potential tenants.

Several questions can help you assess its services:

The better the marketing strategy matches your property, the greater your chances of attracting suitable applicants.

Check which services are included

Not all agencies provide the same level of support.

Some focus only on finding applicants and introducing them to landlords, while others also handle viewings, rental application files, lease preparation and property inspections.

Before signing an agency agreement, make sure you understand precisely which services are included and which may incur additional charges.

Also check the terms of the agreement, particularly its duration, any exclusivity provisions and termination conditions.

Compare agency fees and professional guarantees

Price is an important factor, but it should not be the only consideration.

Agency fees should be assessed in relation to the services provided, the agency's expertise and the resources dedicated to marketing your accommodation.

For residential properties rented as tenants' primary residences, French regulations govern the allocation of certain agency fees between landlords and tenants.

You can consult the official rules concerning real estate agency fees on the French government's Service Public website.

Read the Official Rules on Real Estate Agency Fees

Remember to check that the professional holds the required real estate professional licence (carte professionnelle) and complies with the applicable insurance and financial guarantee requirements.

Finally, ask about solutions that may help secure your rental income, such as unpaid rent insurance (Garantie des Loyers Impayés or GLI).

Look for transparent and personalized support

A good real estate professional should listen carefully to your objectives.

Do you want to find a tenant quickly? Preserve your rental profitability? Continue managing your property yourself or delegate more responsibilities?

The agency should be able to offer a solution consistent with your expectations, availability and property characteristics.

Transparency regarding fees, services and the monitoring of applications is also essential for building a relationship of trust.


4. Why choose Lodgis to find your tenants?

Since 1999, Lodgis has supported landlords with furnished rentals and rental property management in Paris and major French cities.

Our expertise in the rental market, international clientele and solutions tailored to landlords' needs allow us to provide professional assistance throughout the rental process.

Recognized expertise in furnished rentals

Lodgis specializes in furnished rentals and works with a wide variety of landlords, including property investors, individual owners, owners of multiple properties and landlords looking to maximize the value of their real estate assets.

Our teams understand the particular features of this market and the expectations of tenants relocating for work or studies.

We help you position your accommodation in the rental market and prepare it for advertising.

Visibility among French and international tenants

Thanks to its multilingual website and network of prospective tenants, Lodgis can present your property to a diverse audience.

Students, professionals relocating for work, expatriates and companies looking for accommodation for their employees are all potential tenant profiles for your apartment.

This visibility is an advantage for landlords who want to reach applicants beyond their personal networks.

Professional support at every stage of renting out your property

Depending on the package selected, Lodgis can assist you with:

You benefit from professional assistance while retaining your preferred level of involvement in the rental process.

Entrust Your Tenant Search to Lodgis

Rental services tailored to every landlord

Every property owner has different needs.

Some landlords only want to delegate the marketing of their apartment and the search for tenants. Others prefer to entrust an agency with viewings, property inspections or the day-to-day management of their accommodation.

Lodgis offers several solutions designed to match your preferred level of assistance.

You can choose a tenant-finding service or opt for a more comprehensive rental property management package, depending on your needs.

For landlords looking to delegate more responsibilities, Lodgis rental management packages start from 3.9% including VAT of rental income, depending on the package and services selected.

Discover our complete range of rental and property management services.

Discover Our Rental and Property Management Packages

5. How much does a real estate agency charge to find a tenant?

Real estate agency fees vary depending on the services provided and the agency's pricing structure.

It is important to distinguish between tenant-finding fees and rental property management fees.

Tenant-finding fees cover the services involved in searching for a tenant and setting up the rental agreement.

Property management fees relate to services provided throughout the tenancy, including rent collection, administrative follow-up, communication with tenants and the coordination of certain maintenance activities.

Who pays tenant-finding agency fees?

For accommodation rented as a tenant's primary residence, certain fees may be shared between the landlord and tenant, within the limits established by French law.

These may include services relating to property viewings, preparing rental application files, drafting the rental agreement and carrying out the check-in inspection.

Other letting expenses, such as advertising and marketing the property, are paid by the landlord.

The maximum amount that can be charged to the tenant depends on the type of service and the property's location.

It is therefore essential to review the agency's fee schedule before signing an agreement.

Are real estate agency fees worthwhile for landlords?

Hiring a professional involves a cost, but it is also important to consider the time required to find tenants and the financial consequences of a prolonged rental vacancy.

For example, for an apartment rented at €1,500 per month, one month of vacancy represents €1,500 in lost rental income.

Effective marketing can help minimize this loss, although it cannot guarantee how quickly a property will be rented.

Professional assistance can also help ensure rental applications and contractual procedures are handled properly.

Choosing a real estate agency should therefore involve evaluating not only the cost of its services but also the quality of its support and the added value it brings to your rental project.


6. FAQ: your questions about finding tenants through a real estate agency

Is it better to use an agency to find a tenant?

Working with a real estate agency can be particularly beneficial if you have limited time, live far from your property or want professional assistance. Depending on the services selected, the agency can handle property marketing, viewings, application verification and rental agreement preparation.

How do you choose a good real estate agency to rent out your apartment?

Choose an agency that understands the local market, has experience with your type of rental property and offers clearly defined services. You should also compare advertising channels, fees, customer reviews and the conditions of the agency agreement.

Can a real estate agency guarantee that it will find a tenant quickly?

An agency can use professional marketing resources to maximize your property's visibility and make it easier to find suitable applicants. However, no rental timeframe can be guaranteed, as it depends on the asking rent, location, property characteristics and rental demand.

What is the difference between tenant-finding services and rental property management?

Tenant-finding services primarily cover the steps involved in identifying an applicant, verifying their file and formalizing the rental agreement. Rental property management covers the ongoing administration of the property throughout the lease, including rent collection, administrative tasks, tenant communication and other services specified in the management agreement.

Can I use Lodgis only to find tenants?

Yes. Lodgis offers solutions that allow landlords to delegate tenant searches and selection without necessarily entrusting the agency with the entire management of their property. Other packages provide more comprehensive support for owners who prefer to delegate additional responsibilities.

Why choose an agency specializing in furnished rentals?

An agency specializing in furnished rentals understands the expectations of tenants such as students, expatriates and internationally mobile professionals. It can advise landlords on marketing strategies, furnishing and equipping their accommodation, and choosing the type of rental agreement best suited to their project.


7. In summary: professional assistance for renting out your property with peace of mind

Finding the right tenant involves more than simply publishing a property listing. You also need to position your accommodation correctly in the rental market, attract suitable applicants, review their files and ensure contractual procedures are properly handled.

Working with a real estate professional allows you to benefit from specialized assistance while saving valuable time.

When choosing an agency, consider its expertise, knowledge of the local market, advertising resources, transparency regarding fees and the quality of its customer support.

With Lodgis, benefit from our expertise in furnished rentals since 1999 and solutions tailored to your needs, from finding tenants to complete rental property management.

Would you like to rent out your apartment and find a suitable tenant?

Entrust Your Apartment to Lodgis and Discover Our Rental Services

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