Why are landlords afraid to rent to freelancers?

Fixed incomes and permanent contracts generally reassure landlords. But in a society where ways of working are changing, and more and more working people are choosing the path of independence or entrepreneurship, finding accommodation is becoming more complicated for profiles that don't meet the criteria of agencies and landlords.So why are landlords so reluctant to rent to these profiles? How do you find accommodation as a self-employed person? In this article, Garantme gives you all the keys to maximizing your chances of finding accommodation as a self-employed person.

Being self-employed, a special status in France

In France in 2024, the number of freelancers stood at 1.4 million, according to the Malt platform. Combining flexibility and independence, freelancing is an increasingly popular career choice, particularly among young people: 60% of freelancers are aged between 25 and 39.

Freelancing means choosing a specific legal status, such as auto-entreprise or sole proprietorship, to create your own company. There's no employment contract or fixed salary: the entrepreneur manages his or her own business and clients, as well as his or her own remuneration. Remuneration therefore varies according to the time of year, business activity, payment of customer invoices, and so on. It's a lifestyle that requires a great deal of anticipation and organization to cope with potentially fluctuating incomes, especially at the start of the business.

However, many freelancers manage to maintain an attractive level of remuneration, sometimes even higher than if they had opted for conventional salaried employment. In this way, they enjoy a lifestyle outside the traditional conditions of salaried employment, with a limited number of vacations and the freedom to pursue their business in their own way.

The difficulty of finding accommodation as a self-employed worker

Particularly in major cities, the (ultra-saturated) real estate market makes it very difficult for anyone, but especially freelancers, to find a place to rent. According to theUnion des indépendants, 45% of self-employed people have already encountered difficulties in finding accommodation.

For fear of unpaid rent, landlords and agencies are often more reluctant to rent to applicants without a fixed income or the security of a permanent contract. In the case of freelancers, they are often required to provide at least two years' worth of balance sheets proving that their business is sustainable.

Finding accommodation as a freelancer: what solutions exist?

Although finding accommodation as a freelancer can be a daunting task, solutions do exist. Aids, strategies, files... Let's take a look at what's available to help you find an apartment as a freelancer.

Putting together your rental file as a freelancer

How do you put together the best rental file for your apartment search? Here are a few tips to make your file attractive to landlords and real estate agencies. First of all, remember to provide a complete dossier, including all the required documents:

• your identity card ;
• your last three rent receipts, or proof of accommodation;
• your last tax assessment;
• proof of your company's legal status, such as a Kbis certificate, INSEE identification certificate or extract from the trade register;
• your last two balance sheets, attesting to stable income and the sound financial health of your business.

If you have a guarantor, provide the required documents: guarantor's ID, proof of address, most recent pay slips, most recent tax assessment.

All these documents must be up-to-date and provided in good quality so that they are perfectly legible.

Good to know: More and more prospective tenants are providing a short cover letter to explain their professional situation. It's an idea worth considering.

Portage salarial

Have you heard of "portage salarial"? This hybrid solution, somewhere between salaried employment and freelancing, can reassure landlords... and help you find accommodation. When you use a "portage salarial" company, it invoices your clients on your behalf, pays you a salary (with pay slips) and takes care of your social security contributions (giving you entitlement to unemployment benefits). This means you'll have to present pay slips to your landlords, just like a conventional employee.

Housing subsidies for self-employed people

What housing assistance is available for the self-employed? The self-employed are entitled to Aides Personnalisées au Logement (Personalized Housing Assistance), subject to income and housing conditions. The amount of the allowance paid is adjusted each quarter according to changes in the entrepreneur's income.

Rent guarantee

To convince a landlord to accept your profile as a freelance tenant, you may need to present solid guarantors. Why not take out your own guarantees? Renting an apartment without a permanent contract becomes possible thanks to Garantme's rental guarantee. This insurance guarantees the owner of the target property that the rent will be paid if you default on your payments. It plays the role of a classic guarantor, but with the financial solidity of a dedicated structure.

For freelancers, finding a place to rent can be difficult, especially when you're just starting out or in areas with high rental pressure. However, there are ways to overcome landlords' reluctance. Presenting a solid file, with appropriate guarantees, will reassure landlords and make it easier for you to rent. Thanks to the support offered by Garantme, freelancers and entrepreneurs can maximize their chances of finding accommodation, even without a permanent contract.