Difference between the rent on your housing certificate and the actual rent when you book your acommodation

Do you think the rent shown on your housing certificate is final? Let us explain why you’ll likely need to add some extra costs.

When you use a Livinfrance housing certificate for your visa application, it's important to understand that the rent indicated in the document is excluding utilities. This means the listed amount does not include additional fees such as maintenance, water, heating, electricity, etc. These extra costs are separate and set directly by the property owner.

Why aren’t the utilities included in the housing certificate?

The rent shown on the housing certificate reflects only the base monthly rent as proposed by the landlord. The utility charges, which can vary depending on the property, are determined by the landlord and cannot be negotiated or adjusted by Livinfrance.

How much can utilities cost?

If you’re wondering how much to budget for utilities, you should generally expect to pay an additional €70 to €100 per month. However, this amount can vary depending on the property's features (heating, hot water, etc.). It's important to check with the landlord for the exact amount.

What is a "provision sur charges"?

In some cases, landlords ask for a provision sur charges. This means you’ll pay a monthly estimate for utilities (such as water, electricity, or heating). At the end of the year, if you've overpaid compared to the actual costs, a refund or adjustment may be made.