Renting a villa for the year is a ‘Try before you Buy’ solution. When buying a villa on the French Riviera can be one step too fast if you are not yet convinced about all the beauty the region has to offer.
After all, the Cote d’Azur is one of the most desirable locations in the world, characterised by stunning coastal scenery, luxurious accommodations, and a Mediterranean lifestyle. A year-long stay in a villa in this area allows you to experience the area’s many attractions and comforts. The Living on the Cote d’Azur team can help you find the ideal long-term rental in this region.
Why Renting a Villa for the Year on the French Riviera?
A year-long stay in a villa in the French Riviera offers you various benefits.
One of the most important factors that people consider when choosing a long-term rental villa is its comfort and accessibility. This allows them to enjoy the freedom of a home away from their regular residence.
Compared to short-term stays, long-term rental accommodations are more cost-effective.
One of the most important factors that people consider when choosing a long-term rental villa is its local integration. This allows them to experience the culture of the area and build strong relationships with its local residents.
Compared to hotels and apartments, villas offer more space and privacy. They are ideal for families or individuals who enjoy entertaining their guests.
Steps to help
Before you start your search for a long-term rental villa, it’s essential that you define what you’re looking for. Is it a villa with a garden and a pool, or a townhouse in Nice?
Before you search for a long-term rental villa, you must define what area you like best. Some of the most prominent cities that you can consider are Cannes and Nice. Anything in between and further away from the coastline will have a more friendly rental price and more birds in the trees.
The size of the living space and the number of bedrooms that you need will depend on your lifestyle and family size.
The location, as well as the availability of parking and various other essential amenities, should be considered.
Budget
The rates for long-term rental villas in the French Riviera vary depending on their location and the various amenities they offer. Make a budget that is comfortable for you, and we will make a selection from different sources.
Consider the costs of utilities such as gas, water, electricity, and internet.
Some villas may also have additional service or maintenance fees for the garden and the swimming pool.
Finding a villa to rent
There are many ways to find a long-term rental villa. You have agencies that specialise in villas for a year or at least ten months. You could rent it for a year, but the price will increase. July and August are the best-selling months for a short-term rental, so the price per month is the rental price per week. Or even more.
You also have villa owners who hate real estate agencies. You can find them on typical local websites where they advertise their property. This is often an interesting source to locate properties that are not easy to find.
There are also properties for rent on social media, but these are primarily seasonal. In any case, our team will connect all sources to your dossier and find the best suitable villa for you, your family and your needs.
Visiting villa to rent for a year
Before you visit, please ask if pets are allowed. A goldfish is not a problem, but a happy and exciting Neapolitan Mastiff might be why you can’t rent the property. Be open and transparent, so there are no surprises for the owner and the rental agency.
Before you rent a property, make sure that it’s thoroughly inspected. This includes the electrical systems, plumbing, and appliances included in the package. Of course, the owner is responsible for the overall good functioning of the property.
We help answer your questions about the lease terms, maintenance, and other restrictions. You should also take a look at the surrounding area for safety, noise levels, and convenience. And say Hi to maybe your new neighbour!
The rental contract
Make sure that the terms of the contract clearly state the duration and conditions of the rental agreement.
The payment schedule and any additional charges must be confirmed. Payments from a bank outside France can take longer than expected. If money is coming from outside Europe, remember to use our foreign exchange service. This can easily save you a month’s rent in banking rates!
A list of the property’s inventory should also be included, which will detail the condition of the furniture and the appliances.
Commission
The owner of a rental villa will receive the rent plus one or two months as a deposit. The rental agency that works for the villa owner will ask for a commission for the contract. This is primarily a month’s rent.
To help you to find a suitable villa and set up the contract, we will ask for the same commission for our work: one month’s rent. So, you must pay two months’ rent, one month for each agency involved.
In France, the owner of a rental villa needs security for the monthly payments. That’s why they ask for a French long-term labour contract (CDI) and that you earn a net income of at least three times the rent. This is an impossible demand if you are not living in France and you want to rent for a year to see if you will stay here.
Rental guarantee
One solution some owners offer is to pay the rent upfront for the whole year. Unless you have deep pockets and a good cash flow, this proposal is not easily accepted by tenants.
A better solution is to open a dossier and get approval at Garantme.fr. This company offers an insurance concept that covers the rental cost. You pay a small fee per year, and everybody’s happy.
Getting settled in France
You could live very well in the South of France without speaking French. There are international clubs and activities with only expats. Even plumbers and builders from the UK who do not speak French are active in the area. However, you could do the following if you want to contact the genuine, local French.
Regularly attend community events and participate in local clubs to build stronger connections and feel at home. Following your community’s Facebook page is a good start.
Get proficient in French to improve your daily interactions and make them more enjoyable. Join our Facebook group with tips and activities and meet other expats.
During your stay, take advantage of the many attractions that the French Riviera has to offer, such as the beaches of Saint Tropez and the villages of Provence. And visit a market in Italy; the border is not far away.
Ready for an exciting year in the south of France? Use the form below or contact us via info@livingonthecotedazur.com to start the adventure!
Long Term Rental
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