What to do with your student accommodation during the summer? The 3 options available to you

Summer rhymes with freedom… except when you’re wondering what to do with your student accommodation. Should you keep it, sublet it, or return the keys? Between continuing rent payments, an internship in Paris, a road trip from Toulouse, and a budget to protect, the choice is never easy. In this article, we give you a clear, concrete plan to help you make a stress-free decision: actual costs, rights, procedures, housing assistance (CAF, Visale), reliable platforms, and ready-to-use checklists. Our goal: to help you enjoy the summer and return to school with a place to live that suits your student life. You choose, we support you. 🚀🔑 It’s simple.

Option 1: Keep your student accommodation

Want to stay close to campus, public transportation, and your school? Keeping your studio apartment can offer a stable living environment and quick access to your school and student life. It’s reassuring if you have a summer job, an internship, or if you prefer to have your belongings and your space without having to make a new reservation.

In terms of the process, think about the lease, rent, utilities, home insurance, and the security deposit you’ve already paid. In student residences, the rules and regulations specify the services included, such as a gym, coworking room, shared garden, and parking.

Advantage: no stress, no urgent paperwork, no new visits or online reservations. Disadvantage: paying for several months without living there if you’re leaving for a long time. Budget tip: check your housing assistance (CAF, housing allowance) and whether it can be supplemented by university or social assistance from your university in France. ✅

Option 2: Sublet your accommodation for the summer

Are you going away for part of the academic year and want to reduce the cost? Subletting can be a useful and supportive solution. The law is clear: written authorization from the owner is mandatory, often governed by the lease and the law (common references include the “September Freedom Law” and rental law). Follow the rules if you live in a residence hall. Get insurance, a suitable guarantee, and do an inventory with the subtenant when they move in and out.

To be on the safe side, prepare a complete file, set criteria, explain the framework, mention the security deposit, the duration in months, the price, and collect the documents online. There are specialized platforms and websites for students; choose a platform located in France, read the terms and conditions, opt for a clear reservation, a traceable payment, and keep all exchanges online. Mention the Visale guarantee if the eligible person needs it, and refer them to etudiant.gouv or the CAF for information on housing assistance.

Option 3: Return your student accommodation

If you want to start from scratch and book accommodation for the new academic year near the city center or a new campus, returning your accommodation is sometimes the best option for your plans. Anticipate the termination of the lease in a timely manner, organize the inventory, clean each room, read the meters, and prepare the request for the return of the security deposit. The same applies to shared accommodation: one document per person and a signature from all tenants.

Housing assistance: if you are leaving the accommodation, notify the CAF of the end of the lease to regularize the housing allowance.

Guarantee and deposit: the Visale deposit can help you find new accommodation in Paris, Toulouse, or your region.

Social housing: some cities offer student deals through the student social file; keep an eye on the residences of the month, the opening of our local residence, or a new student residence near the campus, sometimes with free reservations to welcome young people at the start of the academic year. 🏡

Choose the solution that best suits your needs: keep your accommodation for stability, sublet to balance your budget, or give it up to discover another city and book a better-located place. Your experience counts: compare the total cost, the living environment, the social aspect, and access to transportation, and take it step by step. We are here to help you find better accommodation, simply, and enjoy your summer as well as your academic year. 🔑✨