to AUP Housing the - MyAUP - The American University of Paris

Settling In for the Semester
AUP Housing Regulations
After you’ve paid your rent and security deposit, completed your housing walkthrough,
exchanged contact information with your landlord, and collected your keys, it’s time to get
settled into your new place. The Student Government Association organizes a trip to Ikea
at the start of each semester to help students pick out small pieces of furniture and other
decorative items. Student Affairs and Student Advisors can provide tips during Orientation for
other places to shop for items you might need for your place.
Many students will also need to invest some time and money into getting utilities and Internet
connections set up at the start of the semester. Student Affairs provides a list of frequently
asked questions regarding both utilities and the Internet, both available on MyAUP and in the
Student Affairs Office. Also read the tips below for help with both topics…
Utilities
Utilities are usually not included in the rent if you live in an independent room, studio or
apartment. Plan on paying extra for electricity, and in some cases, gas. The amount will
vary according to the size of your place and how careful you are about your electricity
consumption. Energy is quite expensive in France so be careful!
For an independent room, the average monthly electricity bill should be approximately 50€
(if there is electric heat). When you go to class or away for the weekend, be sure to close the
windows and turn down the heat.
Some landlords keep the electricity account (EDF) in their own name and others will ask
you to put the contract in your name. In the latter case, the landlord should help you with
this process. If the contract remains in the name of the landlord, you may pay a monthly
advance on your estimated consumption of electricity or you may pay each time the landlord
receives a bill. You should make a note of the kilowatt units on the electricity meter during
your walkthrough when you move in. This number can be used to calculate the amount of
electricity you consume.
Internet
Internet accessibility varies in Paris. Generally, you can subscribe to an Internet contract if
there is a telephone line. More information about telephones and Internet will be available
at Orientation. A one-year commitment is often necessary, so it is not advisable for visiting
students to open an Internet account. See Student Affairs for more information.
As stipulated in the University Code of Conduct (See University Catalog), AUP is a community where individuals respect one
another and their environment; this extends to all housing, whether secured through AUP or not. The RIGHT to use the AUP
Housing Office is coupled with the RESPONSIBILITY to respect the Housing Regulations below. Students are required to sign an
agreement to respect the following regulations when renting housing obtained through AUP.
1. Students housed through the Housing Office make a commitment for a minimum of one semester (until the
end of final exams). Rental agreements may be renewed at the end of the semester if you are continuing at
AUP. Departure must coincide with the end of a semester or summer session.
2. The security deposit (equivalent to one month’s rent) together with the first month’s rent must be paid the
day you move in. Security deposits are used to cover outstanding bills and damages and, thus, using the
deposit to serve as the last month’s rent is illegal in France. The last month’s rent is due in its entirety.
3. Students are responsible for punctually paying their monthly rent directly to the landlord in cash unless
otherwise specified. Students should always request a receipt.
4. Students must give one month’s written notice sent by registered mail to the landlord prior to moving out.
The Housing Office is unable to help students recuperate their security deposit if they have not followed
this procedure. The Housing Office provides template letters to assist you. At the end of each semester,
landlords are also allowed to terminate a rental by giving one month’s notice.
5. The Housing Office cannot house students with pets.
6. If a student has outstanding housing-related claims or debts upon departure from the University, all grades
and transcripts will be held until the problem is resolved.
7. French law requires that all renters have housing insurance. If you obtain housing through the University,
you are automatically charged for this insurance at the beginning of the semester. Students who find their
housing independently may also choose to take this insurance. Insurance is automatically renewed each
semester. If you want to cancel the insurance you must notify the Bursar’s Office before the beginning of the
semester. Please contact the Bursar’s Office or the Housing Office about prices for apartments with more
than one room.
8. Housing obtained through the University MUST NOT be “passed on” to other individuals inside or outside the
AUP community. Only full-time AUP students may obtain housing through the AUP Housing Office.
9. The University’s standards of conduct, as outlined in the University Catalog, apply to all students who have
used the Housing Office’s services. Failure to abide by the standards of conduct or any violations of the
Housing Regulations can lead to disciplinary action.
10. After giving notice of departure, students are responsible for showing the housing to other AUP students
who have arranged a visit through the housing office. The visits should be arranged as quickly as possible.
Things Can Happen
While most rental experiences are happy and uneventful, water leaks, key losses and other
inconveniences or disasters can occur. See the end of this brochure for more on AUP Housing
Insurance and what to do in case of various emergency situations (see pages 23 - 27).
Students Who:
• do not respect the above regulations,
• damage or fail to maintain their accommodations,
• and/or are repeatedly late paying rent,
• and/or use illegal substances in their housing accommodations,
• and/or are the source of complaints about excessive noise,
forfeit all rights to use the services of the AUP Housing Office and may be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the
Dean of Students.
12 The Ultimate Guide to AUP Housing The Ultimate Guide to AUP Housing 13