Self-employed and renting: all the tips you need to find the apartment of your dreams

How do you put together a rental file when you're an auto-entrepreneur? If you benefit from this status, or if you know people in this situation, you may have heard about the "difficulties" that are "inherent" to it. "Inherent difficulties", you say? In this article, we explain just how to limit these difficulties.

At Colonies, we are all, or have been, tenants. That's why we're committed to making it as easy as possible for you to put together a good application and find your apartment. How do you find accommodation when you work as an auto-entrepreneur? How do you find the apartment of your dreams when you don't have the benefits of a permanent contract, or even those of a regularly renewed fixed-term contract?

There's only one solution: know the tips and tricks to make your job easier. That's why we've put together this article. It will help you find the ideal apartment and landlord, without making you regret your status as an auto-entrepreneur.

Self-employed tenants: prepare for success

Of course, it's easier to find a place to live when you're hired on a permanent contract. But these are increasingly difficult to obtain, not to mention the fact that they are not suitable for everyone. So it stands to reason that finding accommodation when you're a self-employed entrepreneur or craftsman is not only possible, but quite feasible.

The first important step in the search for your dream home is to be well prepared. "But how do you go about it? What are the steps you need to take if you want to find a home quickly as a self-employed entrepreneur?

Here are two tips to get you started. Firstly, don't hesitate to run some simulations on the CAF website. This will enable you to determine whether you are entitled to housing assistance (APL).

Secondly, make sure you have all the documents you need to prove that your auto-entrepreneur activity will be sufficient to pay the rent. And, if applicable, that you have a guarantor. Once you've obtained their agreement, collect their latest tax returns, pay slips, employment contracts and identity papers.

Auto-entrepreneur and furnished rental: what are the most important steps?

Renting an apartment as a self-employed worker: know your budget to avoid unpleasant surprises

When you're an auto-entrepreneur looking for an apartment, the first step is to evaluate your budget. Because, unlike most permanent employees, micro-entrepreneurs don't necessarily earn the same amount every month. But what are the factors you need to take into account?

First of all, you need to know what your average monthly, or ideally annual, sales are. If the latter fluctuates frequently, opt for an average over the last three years: this should give you a fairly clear idea.

To calculate your budget, you need to take into account your social security and tax contributions, the average amount of your income tax, and the various costs associated with running your business (travel, packed lunches, etc.). Don't forget the average cost of your daily life, even if this also applies to people who are not self-employed: telephone costs, electricity costs, food costs, and so on.

Another variable to take into account when calculating your budget is the CFE, or Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises. This is the amount you pay each December. Even if your micro-business is domiciled at the same address as you.

Good to know: when you change town, the CFE amount can increase or decrease. To find out more, contact your local town hall, or your tax office directly.

Combining self-employment and furnished rental: how do you find the ideal landlord?

One of the secrets to finding the home of your dreams when you're a self-employed entrepreneur is choosing the right landlord. First option? Instead of going through a real estate agency, opt for private individuals. Agencies are notorious for making the process more tedious than it needs to be. Conversely, private landlords tend to be more understanding, as long as you reassure them. They also save you from having to pay costly application fees.

Opting for shared accommodation can make your life easier in more ways than one. This lifestyle, increasingly popular with young and old alike, offers many advantages. For landlords, it guarantees that tenants have several sources of income, and even several guarantors. For self-employed tenants, it's a down-to-earth solution for finding accommodation more easily.

If you'd like to benefit from the advantages of shared accommodation while enjoying real privacy, don't hesitate to contact our advisors. At Colonies, our aim is to make your life easier. That's why, in many cases, all we ask is your ID, proof of income and an electronic signature. Perhaps you'll find what you're looking for among our various coliving offers?

How do you put together an impeccable file when you're a self-employed tenant?

Have you opted for a classic apartment search, via a real estate agency or a private individual? Avoid the risks by building up a solid rental file.

If you're just starting out as an auto-entrepreneur, your personal file may not be enough. In that case, you'll need to rely heavily on your guarantors. In any case, make sure you have all the documents you need before embarking on your search. It's not uncommon for a tenant whose file wasn't ready quickly enough to miss out on a property.

If you are an auto-entrepreneur, your tenant file must contain the following items:

A good-quality photocopy or scan of a document proving your identity: identity card, passport, driving license.

Your most recent tax return.

Your three most recent rent receipts, or, if these are not available, another document proving your place of residence: EDF bill mentioning your name, Internet or telephone bill, etc.

The two most recent balance sheets for your micro-business.

Documents proving that your micro-business is real. This could be your INSEE identification, your K or K bis extract from the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés, etc.

For your guarantor, the file should contain the same papers and supporting documents as for the tenant.

What if you don't have a guarantor? You could, for example, apply for help from VISALE, an organization that offers to act as your housing guarantor. Or, once again, take a look at the advertisements on our website.

Micro-business and rental: final tips before getting started

Are you unable to assemble some of the documents you need for your application? Don't give up! Every problem has a solution, and there are alternatives.

If you can't provide your three most recent rental receipts, you can opt for a dated certificate signed by your previous landlord. This attestation should state that the tenant has always paid his rent on time, and that there have never been any problems with him.

You don't have any rent receipts because you were staying with a third party? The procedure is the same. Ask your lodger to provide you with a sworn statement. Once again, this attestation must state that you have always paid your rent on time.

Finally, you should know that it is illegal for a landlord to ask you for documents concerning your private life. For example, a landlord has no right to ask you for medical documents or proof that you are married. The same applies to bank documents other than the RIB (bank statement, etc.).