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RENTAL COVER LETTER in France :
WHAT ACTUALLY gets your file chosen
In a tight market, two complete files are separated by one page: the one where you introduce yourself. A French landlord has no right to require it, but they always read it when it exists, and it often decides between two equivalent applicants. Here is what a good presentation contains, what to avoid, three short examples to adapt, and how La Maraisienne writes it for you in a few minutes.
What the law says
The list of documents a landlord may ask for is fixed by decree no. 2015-1437 of 5 November 2015, and the cover letter is not on it. A landlord or agency that requires one risks an administrative fine (up to €3,000 for an individual, €15,000 for a professional) (service-public F1169). In practice nobody is fined, and more and more applicants include one voluntarily. The rule to remember: you are never obliged, but it is almost always in your interest.
What a good presentation contains
Five elements, in this order, in 120 to 200 words. Beyond that, the landlord switches off.
Who you are : first name, age if you wish, situation (alone, couple, flatshare), what you do.
Your stability : type of contract or activity, since when, employer or clients. This is the sentence the landlord is looking for.
Your income in one line : net monthly income, ratio to the rent if you cover three times, guarantee provided (guarantor, Visale, GarantMe).
Why this home : one precise sentence (close to work, the neighbourhood, how long you plan to stay). It shows you read the listing and intend to stay.
Your reliability as a tenant : current rent paid on time for X years, good relationship with your landlord, availability for the viewing and signing.
What to avoid
- Telling your life story. The landlord wants a reliable tenant, not a biography.
- Begging or dramatising (“this is my last chance”). It worries instead of reassuring.
- Giving information they are not allowed to ask for (health, detailed family situation, origin). You gain nothing and you make the landlord uncomfortable.
- A generic letter sent to twenty listings. One sentence about this specific home is enough to show it is not.
- Typos and sloppy layout. It is the first impression of your file.
- Lying or rounding up. The attached documents must say exactly the same thing as the letter.
Three examples to adapt
These are frames, not templates to copy: replace everything in brackets with your real situation, and delete what does not apply.
“Hello, my name is [First name], I am [age] and I work as [position] at [employer] on a permanent contract (CDI) since [year]. I earn €[amount] net per month, a little over three times the rent, and [Guarantor’s first name], my mother, is my guarantor. I am looking for an apartment close to my work in [place], and yours is exactly what I want: [detail from the listing]. I currently rent a [type] in [city] since [duration], always paid on time, and my landlord can confirm it. I am available to visit this week and ready to sign quickly.”
“Hello, I am [First name], a freelance [profession] since [year], with [number] regular clients, [number] of them on annual contracts. My average net income over the last 12 months is €[amount] (my accountant’s certificate is attached), which covers [ratio] times the rent, and I have the [Visale / GarantMe / individual guarantor] guarantee. I work from home and I am looking for a stable home for several years: your [type] in [neighbourhood] is ideal for [precise reason]. I pay my current rent of €[amount] on time since [duration]. I can visit whenever suits you.”
“Hello, we are [First name] and [First name], a couple for [duration]. [First name] is [position] on a permanent contract at [employer] since [year], [First name] is [situation]. Our combined net income is €[amount] per month, [ratio] times the rent, and [guarantee if needed]. We are looking for a [type] in [neighbourhood] to settle for the long term, and we particularly like yours for [precise reason]. We have rented together for [duration] without a single late payment. We are available to visit and sign quickly.”
For specific situations, the presentation must also explain your status: see our pages Freelancer and Expat.
Where to put it
On the first page of your file, before the documents, not in the body of the email. The email stays short (two lines and the PDF attached); the presentation lives in the PDF, where it will be re-read at decision time. If you use DossierFacile, add the link to your labelled file at the end of the presentation (see the comparison).
How La Maraisienne writes it for you
In the La Maraisienne flow, you answer a few questions about your situation and write three rough lines about yourself and what you are looking for. The AI turns them into a presentation structured around the five elements above, in a direct tone, with no empty phrases. You review it, change what you want, and can regenerate it. It is placed on the first page of your PDF, with your documents sorted behind it. Available in all three plans, from €14.90 per month. See the samples · See the plans.
( FAQ )
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord require a cover letter?
No. It is not on the list of the decree of 5 November 2015 and requiring it is punishable. You can include one of your own free will.
How long should it be?
120 to 200 words. Half a page. Beyond that it is not read.
Should I personalise it for each listing?
One sentence is enough: why this specific home. The rest can stay the same.
Should I send it by email or in the file?
In the file, on the first page. The email stays short.
Should I mention my personal situation?
Only what reassures about your ability to pay and to stay: professional situation, income, guarantee, intended duration. Nothing about health, origin or private life.
Is the AI-written presentation recognisable?
It is written from your own words and you review it before validating. The tone is direct and factual; you decide what stays.