What Costs Should You Budget for on Top of Rent?

Rent is only part of the budget you need to rent a home. Between agency fees, the security deposit, service charges and possible takeover fees, several costs get added, either every month or as soon as you move in. Here’s the complete list, with the legal caps you should know. These costs are part of the budget to plan for in long-term rental management.

Real estate agency fees

If you find your home through an agency, you’ll pay agency fees for the viewing, putting the application together and drafting the lease. These fees are shared between the tenant and the owner: the amount charged to the tenant can’t exceed what the owner pays, nor a cap per square meter set by decree and adjusted every year (€12/m² in very high-demand areas). So the amount depends on the size and location of the property. The rent amount itself may also be capped depending on the area.

The security deposit

Before you move in, the landlord will ask you to pay a security deposit. It’s capped at 1 month’s rent excluding charges for an unfurnished home, and at 2 months for a furnished one. It covers any damage during the tenancy and is returned to you at the end of the lease if you hand the home back in good condition, within 1 month at most (2 months if damage is noted on the move-out inspection report).

It’s one of the guarantees the landlord can ask you for, along with a guarantor. If you don’t have one handy, there are several options: finding a guarantor quickly, rent guarantee insurance (GLI) on the owner’s side, or an online rental guarantee like Cautioneo.

Monthly service charges

On top of rent, you’ll pay monthly charges: water, electricity, upkeep of the common areas in an apartment building, trash collection. These charges are either a flat amount or paid as advances with an annual adjustment based on your actual consumption. To avoid surprises, keep an eye on your bills.

Furniture takeover fees

The previous tenant may have left furniture or equipment in the home. If the owner offers to let you take it over, a fee may be requested. You’re not required to accept, especially if you’d rather bring your own furniture: be careful before committing to this kind of expense.

Prohibited fees when renting from a private owner

If you rent directly from a private owner, without an agency, the landlord can only ask you for rent, service charges and the security deposit. Any other sum requested when you move in, such as application fees, is a clause prohibited by law, whoever the landlord is. If someone asks you for one, be wary.

Some good news for your budget: the housing tax on primary residences has been abolished since January 1, 2023, and the public broadcasting fee (contribution à l’audiovisuel public) hasn’t been charged since 2022. That’s two fewer line items in your rental budget.