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Housing Compact - Rules & Regulations
Preparing for Housing Pre-Arrival
Accommodations Through AUP’s Housing Office
Students who choose to find accommodations through AUP’s Housing Office are
bound by certain rules and regulations detailed on the inside back cover, but are
also guaranteed certain rights. It is essential to clearly understand these rights and
responsibilities from day one to avoid confusion or unnecessary frustration later in
the year. Note that the Housing Office can only house full-time, currently registered
AUP students.
Your rights include:
• Assistance from the Housing Office to find comfortable and affordable
accommodations within a reasonable commuting distance from campus.
• Assistance year-round with the various housing issues you may encounter,
including assistance with insurance claims.
• The right to have the Housing Office act as an intermediary if you have a dispute
with a landlord or host family.
• The right to contest a decision by the Housing Office if you are not satisfied.
Doing Your Own Thing
AUP students are not required to find housing through the Housing Office. Finding
housing on your own in Paris can be more complicated, but not impossible. Students
who wish to find housing outside of the University Housing Office should be aware of
the following:
• Lease agreements for furnished apartments are made for one year. However,
the contract may be broken if one month’s* advance move-out notice is given
in writing and sent by registered mail. (*Notice may differ in some cases. See
lease). Expect to pay an agency fee.
• The standard security deposit consists of one month’s rent, which, by law, may
be returned up to two months after the student’s departure.
• A letter from the “financially responsible person’s” bank will be required.
Financial statements will need to be disclosed (i.e., copies of parent’s payslips,
bank statements, references, etc.)
• A housing walkthrough or état des lieux must be filled out by the student and landlord when the student moves in
and reviewed when the student moves out. The walkthrough is your responsibility and will be used to determine if
any damages will be deducted from your security deposit upon departure.
A Housing Preference form is included in the AUP Acceptance Package sent to you by the Admissions
Office. Before filling out the form online, take the time to review the housing options listed on the following
pages. On the form you should indicate your budget, preferences and any special needs. You may modify
these preferences at any time prior to selecting your housing.
If you wish to share your housing with a friend, you and the other student must each specify each other
as roommates on your Housing Preference Forms. You will be given a housing appointment together. This
option is only valid for students who have established a friendship before arriving in Paris. Depending on
housing availability, we cannot guarantee all requests for roommate situations.
You will not be able to move into your housing until you have paid the landlord one month’s rent and one
month’s security deposit. Students staying at AUP more than one semester: please be sure to pre-open a
bank account through AUP and to transfer funds ahead of time to cover this expense if you don’t already
have a bank account in Paris. The Office of Student Affairs contacts students pre-arrival to assist with preopening
bank accounts.
Students who are present for Orientation and using the Housing Office services will be provided with
temporary accommodations until they find permanent housing. Students who prefer to find housing on
their own will be guaranteed temporary accommodations only for the first two nights of Orientation week.
Requests for additional nights will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that the Housing Office is unable to house students prior to Orientation.
Please see the Housing section of MyAUP for a list of agencies and other sources to begin your self search for housing in
Paris.
Here are two Web sites for articles with more information on this subject:
http://www.understandfrance.org/Paris/Life.html
http://dordogne.angloinfo.com/information/6/re_rental.asp
2 The Ultimate Guide to AUP Housing