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SmartGarant

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The latest news at Smartgarant

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## Our latest articles

Discover the latest publications written by our teams.

## Back to school: putting all the chances on your side to get the flat of your dreams 🎓 

**Every time you go back to school, it's the same thing!** Before going back to school and meeting up with your little friends, you have to fight again to get the flat that will not only allow you to have a roof over your head after long days of study at the library (or after your crazy parties!) but also a place where you will feel good, at home. 

Except that often, we don't **prepare enough** or **too late** and that leads to **a lot of stress**! We've been there, so **we've listed all the tips you need to apply to put all the chances on your side** to get (finally) the **apartment of your dreams** this year! 

![Image blog Rentrée scolaire : comment obtenir l'appartement de vos rêves](https://smartgarant-website.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/Image_blog_Rentree_scolaire_comment_obtenir_l_appartement_de_vos_reves_a882481039.jpg)

**Here's your checklist for getting your dream flat!**

#### Tip #1: Anticipate! ⏰

We can't say it enough, but very often we start too late! As a result, there are only **badly located or unsuitable** flats left. And with only a few days to go before the start of the new school year, you still haven't found the accommodation in which you will have to spend several months! Too bad, a few weeks ago, you might have been able to find the flat of your dreams and avoid a lot of stress. 

So, this year, **anticipate** and **prepare in advance** to apply in time and put all the chances on your side to find the accommodation you have always dreamed of.

Most students hand in their flats **between June and August**, which is the **time to apply for your future accommodation**, which means that your rental file must be ready, up to date and complete for the beginning of this period. Admittedly, it's the school holidays and you haven't really planned to spend them looking for your flat, but tell yourself that it's perhaps a blessing in disguise: you'll enjoy your holidays all the more once you've got your flat in your pocket and your lease signed, with a free mind... and don't forget that for a few extra days of holiday, you risk spending 9 months (or more) in accommodation that doesn't suit you. As in any market, supply and demand defines the rules and timing is important! So make the most of this period when the supply of student flats is at its highest.

#### Tip 2: Define your needs and priorities ✍️

To find the flat of your dreams, you need to know **what apartment** it is? What are its **features**? No !? You may already have in mind the **maximum rent** you can expect (if not, you can estimate it with our guarantee service [here](https://www.smart-garant.com/). Apart from that, have you defined all your **needs** and **wishes**?

**We've listed some of them for you:**

**- What type of rental do you want to live in?**

Do you prefer to live with others or alone? Depending on your budget, your needs and wishes, which of a shared flat, a student residence or a studio apartment best suits your needs and desires?

How many rooms do you need?

**- How much comfort do you need?**

Do you have any furniture and how long do you plan to stay in this flat? Which of the furnished or unfurnished flats is best for you?

**- Which geolocation for your future flat?**

Do you need to be close to your school, or do you prefer to be close to the city centre? 

What means of transport are available to you for your daily life?

What is the average rental price in a particular area? 

What will the atmosphere of your future neighbourhood be like? Will you need shops and places that fit in with your lifestyle close to home (agri-food, gym, green space, etc.)? 

> **SmartGarant Tip 💡** Generally, we have a few ideas in mind, but the simple fact of putting certain things in writing allows us to specify our needs and rationalise our choices. 

The best way to do this is to make **a list or table** to prioritise your wishes and criteria into three categories:
- **Priority**: these are criteria that you cannot ignore, they are a necessity;
- **Desirable**: these are more comfort criteria;
- **Optional**: this is the icing on the cake, the little extra that can tip the balance.

#### Tip 3: Prepare and define a "battle" plan 🗺️

Now that you know what you are looking for, you need to prepare your strategy to attack this ultra-competitive rental market as calmly as possible!

**Looking for a flat is a bit like looking for a job**: you take stock of your skills and desires, and look for a way to get in touch with recruiters! But first of all, you can't imagine contacting them without having updated and redesigned your CV, can you? On the job market, we don't all have the same skills, knowledge or schooling, but the minimum is to have an up-to-date, spelling-perfect and structured CV. Well, it's the same for renting! Although we are not all equal, **your rental file is like your CV**, it should not be faulted. To do this, your rental file must respect the **4C rule**: it must be **complete**, **compliant**, **clear** and **consistent**!

Thus, the law provides for the following documents to be **provided**:
- A **proof of identity**.
- **Proof of address** (three rent receipts or proof of accommodation)
- **Proof of professional activity** (student card, school certificate, work contract, etc.)
- **Proof of income** (last three pay slips, etc.)
- A **tax notice**.
- And the **same documents for the guarantor** if there is one. If you don't have one, SmartGarant can help you and become your future guarantor (we'll tell you more about this below)!

> **SmartGarant's favorite ❤️** DossierFacile, a state-owned startup that helps you have a complete, clear and coherent file, provides you with a 100% online tool, simple and free, allowing you to increase your chances of getting a visit by giving additional information to the landlord about the quality of your file.

[![24.png](https://smartgarant-website.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/24_4669c872f4.png)](https://www.smart-garant.com/)

> In addition to your complete file, you can also plan to make an email (or letter) template to which you can attach your rental file and to which landlords can refer when you apply for an ad. This will save you a lot of time and prevent you from forgetting. You can download your [email template here](https://www.smart-garant.com/blog-posts/modele-de-mail-pour-postuler-a-une-annonce-de-location).

You are now ready to apply for the flat of your dreams!

#### Tip 4: Put all the chances on your side to convince your future landlord 🍀

As students, you have little or no income. **It is therefore highly recommended to have a guarantor**. To be quite honest, very few landlords will not ask you for one (or even several)! 

However, not everyone is lucky enough to have a guarantor with a permanent contract, sufficient income and a history in France to fully convince landlords or property managers.

This is why, faced with this observation and the difficulty of putting all chances on their side, [SmartGarant](https://www.smart-garant.com) was born. SmartGarant is the **new generation** and **100% digital** guarantor that boosts the tenant's file and protects landlords for free. Our rental guarantee service allows you to convince a landlord that you are the best tenant as you provide them with guarantees to get their rent free of charge every month and have gone through our innovative selection scoring. You can **apply for our service for free** and estimate your maximum rent according to your situation.

#### Tip 5: Take advantage of technology 📱

Sure, real estate agencies can be very efficient but you're digital natives, right? So make the most of the tools of online platforms and set your notifications so you don't miss any rental offers that match your criteria with your file ready at hand, and your email template to customize to apply! 

We have also released [SmartAlerte](https://www.smart-garant.com/smartalerte), a **super free** tool that allows you to **automate your housing search** on the 25 biggest housing search platforms (Leboncoin, PAP, Bienici, etc.). In a few clicks, you automate your search and you will be the first to apply.

[![20.png](https://smartgarant-website.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/20_5c9a25bd84.png)](https://www.smart-garant.com/)

#### Tip n°6: Mobilise your personal network 🌐

To find accommodation, it is not always necessary to go through an agency or to search for weeks for the flat of your dreams on specialised websites.

The simplest things are sometimes the most effective, and the **ideal flat may be just two Facebook accounts away from yours**! A simple status may give you access. **Use your network** (*and social networks*), and don't hesitate to indicate on your wall or in groups that you are looking for accommodation. Specify your criteria and ask your contacts to let you know if they hear of something that might suit you. Word of mouth can go fast and is sometimes more effective than the most formidable of estate agents.

#### Tip 7: Score points at the viewing (differentiate yourself!) 🤩

This is it, the big day! You've managed to get one (or more) viewing(s).

Visiting a property is (almost) like a job interview!
You have to prepare for it. And you need to make a good impression.
 
Here is your checklist for **successfully meeting** your future landlord:

- A complete file ✅
- Proper attire is required (without overdoing it either, no need to get out your best suit) 👔
- If there are several of you visiting, ask questions, be curious, the landlord must remember you (you are unique) 💭
- Be polite and positive (of course) 👍
- And above all, go with your best smile 😁

> **The little + ⚡** Take the landlord's contact details during the visit and send them a thank you message after the visit. They will then have your contact details (if they don't already have them) to get back to you and you will stand out from the crowd with your attention.

***Don't forget that this is a sales exercise as you have to convince the landlord that you are the best tenant.***

**You are now ready to go and get your future flat! 
 3, 2, 1 ... let's go!**

Every year, it's the same problem to find a flat! In this article, we give you the best advice to find the flat of your dreams.

Image blog Rentrée scolaire : comment obtenir l'appartement de vos rêves