Which documents can a landlord require from a student tenant's application in France? The list is exhaustive: what you may ask for, what is forbidden.
When you build a candidate's file, the list of documents you may require is exhaustive: it is set by decree no. 2015-1437 of 5 November 2015, and demanding a document outside that list is punishable by an administrative fine (up to €3,000 for an individual, €15,000 for a company). Good news: this list covers everything you need to assess a student seriously. The real issue, for a candidate with no payslip, is not demanding more documents but examining their guarantor or their Visale guarantee properly. This guide sorts what you may ask for from what is forbidden, with official sources.
An exhaustive list, set by decree
Contrary to a widespread belief, a landlord cannot ask for "whatever they want". Decree no. 2015-1437 of 5 November 2015 sets the exhaustive list of supporting documents that may be required from the candidate and their guarantor. Anything not on it is forbidden.
The list covers four families of documents: identity, address, professional or study situation, and income. For a student, that is more than enough to build a credible file: ID, proof of enrolment or student card, and, when they have no income of their own, their guarantor's documents or the Visale certificate.
The official, up-to-date list is published on service-public.fr and detailed by ANIL. If in doubt about a specific document, that is where to check.
What you may ask for, and what is forbidden
| Document | May you ask for it? | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ID (national ID card, passport, residence permit) | Yes | You cannot require it to be signed (decree 2019-1019) | service-public.fr |
| Proof of enrolment / student card | Yes | Proof of study situation | service-public.fr |
| Proof of current address | Yes | Latest rent receipts, hosting certificate | service-public.fr |
| Guarantor's documents (identity, income) | Yes | The guarantor is covered by the decree | service-public.fr |
| Visale certificate | Yes | The "visa" presented by the candidate | visale.fr |
| Medical file | No | Forbidden | service-public.fr |
| Criminal record extract | No | Forbidden | service-public.fr |
| Bank details (RIB), bank statement, certificate of no outstanding credit | No | Forbidden | service-public.fr |
| "Reservation" cheque or payment before the lease | No | Forbidden | service-public.fr |
| Passport-style photo (other than on the ID) | No | Forbidden | service-public.fr |
Demanding a forbidden document is no small matter: it is punishable by an administrative fine of up to €3,000 for an individual and €15,000 for a legal entity (penalty set by art. 22-2 of the law of 6 July 1989; the list of documents itself is set by decree no. 2015-1437). These amounts are set by law, not by the market, but always check the version in force on service-public.fr.
The foreign student's case: do not discriminate
Two rules specifically protect the foreign candidate, and save you a misstep:
- A signed ID cannot be required. Decree no. 2019-1019 of 3 October 2019 removed that condition, precisely because some countries' identity documents carry no signature; requiring one amounted to excluding foreign candidates. You may ask for the ID, but not that it be signed.
- Documents may be copies translated into French, with amounts converted into euros; you may ask to see the originals, but you cannot reject a file on the sole ground that it comes from abroad.
In other words, the law invites you to treat an international student like any other candidate. That is consistent with reality: this audience arrives with fixed dates and a framed budget, as we explain in renting your room to an Erasmus student in Bordeaux.
A student with no income: look at the guarantor, not at forbidden documents
The question that always comes back: "How do I assess a student with no payslip?" The answer is not to demand prohibited documents (bank statements, certificate of no credit, and so on), but to rely on the mechanisms provided:
- The guarantor. You may ask the guarantor for the same identity, address and income documents allowed for the tenant.
- Visale. Action Logement's free public guarantee replaces a personal guarantor and covers unpaid rent. It is often the simplest solution for an international student: see Visale for landlords and the comparison GLI or Visale.
Finally, the real line of defence against unpaid rent and fraud is not piling up documents but vigilance: consistent identity, complete file, refusal of any payment "to reserve" before signing. Landlords are targeted by fake applications too; our anti-scam housing advice lists the warning signs.
Got a room or a studio to let in Bordeaux? List it for free on Studroof and reach Erasmus students arriving on fixed dates. You sign and get paid directly — 0% commission, Studroof never handles the money. Studroof is neither an agency nor a property manager: it is a listings platform that puts you in touch, nothing more. List your room now from the landlord hub.
FAQ — A student tenant's application
What can I ask a student with no payslip for? Their ID, proof of studies (enrolment certificate, student card), proof of address, and, lacking income of their own, their guarantor's documents or their Visale certificate. The list is exhaustive (decree 2015-1437) and detailed on service-public.fr.
Am I allowed to ask for bank details or a bank statement? No. Bank details (RIB), bank statements and certificates of no outstanding credit are forbidden. Demanding a document outside the list exposes you to a fine (up to €3,000 for an individual). Check the list on service-public.fr.
Which documents are forbidden in a rental application? Notably: medical file, criminal record extract, bank details / bank statements, certificate of no credit, "reservation" cheque or payment before the lease, passport-style photo. They are outside the list of decree 2015-1437.
Can I require a signed ID from a foreign student? No. Decree no. 2019-1019 removed the signature requirement, since some foreign documents carry none. You may ask for the ID, but not that it be signed.
How do I secure the rent with a student who has no income? Through the guarantor (whose permitted documents you may check) or through Visale, the free public guarantee. For a student, you may even combine a guarantor and a guarantee: see GLI or Visale.
This article is for information and does not replace official sources or legal advice. Studroof is a passive listings platform, not an estate agency or a property manager. The list of documents and the penalties change: always check your situation on service-public.fr and anil.org. Last updated: September 2026.