Paris Best Vacation Apartment Rentals : What if?

Most rental agencies that you come across on the Internet are actually based in the United States or elsewhere. Rent My Home in Paris is unique in that our offices and staff are right in the heart of Paris. This is important because you have the assurance of having a team of English speaking people on the ground for you : to meet you at your Paris apartment when you arrive, to assist with trip planning and local recommendations, to quickly resolve problems (no waiting for an email response from someone a 9 hour time zone difference away), or to help you in the event of emergency. Our guests tell us that having that peace of mind when they are traveling to a foreign country is invaluable.

We think the primary reason people choose to stay in an apartment instead of a hotel is because they want to experience life like a Parisian, not to live amongst hoards of tourists and kitschy souvenir shops in a cookie-cutter apartment. Each arrondissement is unique and each has it’s own unique flavor. You might prefer the trendy Marais or be happiest in arty St.-Germain-des-Pres. Our Paris rental apartments offer you that choice. Thanks to their great location and to the careful attention paid to their renovation, you will really feel "home away from home" during your stay in Paris.

Further, because of our involvement in the buying and renovating of each apartment and our unique relationships with the owners (please see “About Us” for more), we’re not managing anonymous apartments with which we are unfamiliar. We know our Paris rental apartments just about as well as we know our own homes ! This is especially important if any issue arises with respect to the apartment. We know exactly what kind of dishwasher your particular rental apartment has, or cable service, or how the locks on your door work. If the services of a professional are required, we have maintenance workers, housekeepers, electricians and other professionals on hand to resolve any issue quickly and efficiently.

Finally, with Rent My Home in Paris, you’ll have the benefit of our first hand knowledge of Paris. Because we live here, we know the city inside and out. We won’t steer you to the same tired restaurants you can find in any guidebook. We’ll only recommend the most authentic shops and cafés, ones that are personal favorites of ours and other locals (brush up on your French !). We recognize that our guests have likely invested considerable time, effort and expense planning their Paris vacation. Many are coming to Paris to celebrate a special occasion—an anniversary or important birthday. Whether it’s your first trip to Paris or your 50th, we are committed to doing everything we can to make your stay in “La Ville Lumière” truly memorable!

I am interested in buying an apartment in Paris. Can you help me with that project ? top

Our pleasure ! For over 10 years we have found and renovated places for our clients. Please visit our website www.myhomeinparis.com for further information or contact us at info@myhomeinparis.com.

Are the rental prices for your Paris apartments all-inclusive ? Are there any hidden costs ? top

It’s important when planning a vacation that you understand the fees and costs upfront. Sometimes what looks like a good deal at first blush is less so after all the “add ons”—room tax, cleaning fees, VAT tax, etc. With our Paris vacation rentals, the price that is listed is the price you pay. Our rental prices include :

•   Normal usage of utilities (heating, electricity, gas, water). For stays of one month or longer, utilities may be          charged based on actual usage.
•   All linens (sheets, towels, etc)
•   Cable TV
•   Free WIFI internet access
•   Phone (free for landlines in the U.S. (except Alaska), France and most European countries ; for other calls, we       ask that you use your long distance phone card or purchase a phone card in Paris)
•   Basic household supplies (coffee, sugar, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, etc.)

Please note, French insurance unfortunately does not allow us to extend coverage to renters or their personal effects. Please check with your own insurance company before you leave home to ensure that you are covered for your personal belongings while traveling. We cannot be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged property.

Please also check that your insurance includes occupier or personal liability coverage, so that any claims for damages made by a third party and for which you are held responsible will be compensated by your insurance.

What are the payment terms for your Paris apartments ? top

We ask for a deposit of 50% of the total rental upon booking to confirm your reservation for your Paris apartment. The balance will be due 45 days prior to your arrival. If you book your reservation within 45 days of your arrival, then the entire rental will be due at that time.
In addition, we also ask for a refundable security deposit of 400 euros (or US$ 500) at the time of check-in. The security deposit will be returned to you after your stay if there is no damage to the apartment.

How do I pay to reserve my Paris apartment ? top

Payments can be made by bank wire transfer to reserve your Paris apartment. As part of the booking process, you will receive an email with simple and easy wiring instructions. Our guests have found this to be a very convenient method of paying and it enables us to keep our fees to a minimum. Other agencies that accept payment by credit cards pass along those charges to their guests.

What if I have to cancel my reservation? top

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance at the time of booking to compensate you in the event you need to cancel. There are many good travel sites that offer reasonable insurance. (Travelex is one, though there are many others.) In the event it becomes necessary for you to cancel your reservation, we observe the following cancellation policy based upon the date we are notified of the cancellation:
• More than 90 days before arrival: the initial payment is fully refundable
• 90 to 61 days before arrival: 30% of total rent is retained
• Within 60 days: rent is non refundable
We impose the 60-day non-refundable policy because it has been our experience that most people traveling to Europe book their Paris apartment rental months in advance, so it is much more difficult for us to re-book the apartment the closer it gets to the reservation. That said, we understand unexpected events arise which make canceling unavoidable and we try to be as understanding as possible. If we are able to secure other guests for the apartment for the same time period, we will refund your money regardless of the date of cancellation. We just ask that you notify us as soon as you know you must cancel your reservation and we will do our best to work with you.

Monthly renters must cancel one hundred twenty (120) days prior to check-in. Monthly renters who make a change that results in a shortened stay must be made at least ninety (90) days prior to check-in.

How do I book a Paris vacation rental apartment ? top

Once you’ve identified which Paris vacation rental apartment you are interested in, simply click on the top orange box in the listing marked “Booking” to inquire about availability and complete the inquiry form. We will get back to you promptly. Once you are ready to book your vacation rental, just let us know and we’ll send you a booking form to reserve your Paris apartment. You can also always contact us at contact@rentmyhomeinparis.com

Are the Paris rental apartments located in safe neighborhoods ? top

Yes, all of our Paris rental apartments are located in the safest neighborhoods in Paris. It would not be an enjoyable vacation if you could not even walk home from dinner to your apartment without fear. Of course, we always advise our guests to exercise appropriate caution, just as you would anywhere, but you will feel comfortable in your Paris apartment and neighborhood. The buildings in which our Paris rental apartments are located are also very safe. The majority are outfitted with digicode keypads securing the building entrance and locked inner doors. Some of our Paris rental apartments also have safes where you can store your valuables.

How do I get into the apartment once I arrive in Paris? top

We will arrange to have one of our friendly staff meet you at your Paris apartment as soon as you arrive in Paris. We know that our guests will have likely just arrived after a long flight and how important it is for them to get into the apartment and get settled right away. There’s nothing worse than arriving after a tiring flight and having a problem getting into the apartment. With us, there’ll be no worrying about whether the keys will show up in the mail on time or going out of your way to retrieve them, or whether a lock box will work. (Plus, there’s no need to mail the keys back or go to any trouble after your stay: simply leave the keys in the apartment and we’ll pick them up after you depart.)
We will meet you at your Paris apartment, show you around and get you settled, and answer any questions you may have about the apartment, the local neighborhood or things to do in Paris. Everyone on our staff speaks fluent English and is ready to assist you in any way. And because we all live in Paris, we also know all the ins and outs of the city. Not only can we help you work the washing machine, we can recommend the best bistro in town!

What time can I check-in/check-out of my Paris apartment ? Can I check in early or check out late ?

Check out is at 10:00 a.m. and check in is at 3:00 p.m. If there has not been a guest at the apartment immediately prior to your arrival and if the apartment is prepared, you are more than welcome to check in early. Likewise, if we are not expecting a guest right after your stay, you can certainly check out later if you wish.

If that is not the case and we need to prepare the apartment for another guest, you can leave your luggage at the apartment and pick it up later at more convenient time. If you arrive early for your reservation and the apartment is still being prepared, you are always welcome to drop your luggage off at the apartment prior to check in, so you can be freed up to take a walk, buy groceries or have lunch until the apartment is ready for you.

Is there a minimum length of stay for your Paris apartments? Do I have to check in on a particular day of the week?

We prefer to accept bookings for a minimum stay of one week (7 nights), especially during the high season. If you are considering a stay of less than a week, however, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.
A lot of rental companies require a Saturday-to-Saturday stay, requiring you to check in on a Saturday and out on the following Saturday, because this minimizes vacancies and maximizes their profits. However, we think this is too restrictive particularly when trying to plan a European holiday. You can choose to book your Paris apartment beginning on any day of the week that fits in best with your travel plans.

Is smoking allowed in the apartments ? top

All of our Paris apartments are non-smoking properties.

Can I bring my pets ? top
We love pets too and know it can be difficult to leave them behind when traveling. However, out of out of consideration for guests who may suffer from pet allergies and in order to maintain an allergen free environment, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate pets in the Paris apartments.

Do the Paris rental apartments have elevators ? top

Almost all of our Paris apartments are housed in buildings with elevators. In the exceptional case were there isn’t an elevator in one of the apartments, it will be noted in the individual apartment listing. In that case, one of our greeters will be happy to assist you with bringing your luggage up the stairs.

Are the Paris rental apartments located close by local transports? Are they near Paris’s famous landmarks? top

All of our apartments are conveniently located near local transports. Each apartment is a short walking distance to the metro, local RER lines and Bus stops. Paris is a wonderful walking city, but you will quickly appreciate this convenience!
As our rental apartments are located in central Paris, they are all within walking distance or a short metro ride away from the major monuments of Paris. Your Paris apartment will also be close to grocery stores, open-air markets, shops, bistros, cafés and much more. This proximity to daily conveniences will not only make your trip more enjoyable, you’ll be able to experience Parisian life like a local!

Are the apartments fully equipped ? top

Yes! We want you to feel right at home in your Paris apartment and that is the major advantage to choosing a Paris rental apartment over staying in a hotel. All of our apartments are fully equipped, with everything you need for a comfortable stay: linens, household appliances, dishes and complete cookware, and even basic household supplies like laundry soap, paper towels and coffee.  You can find a detailed list of amenities under each apartment’s description, but in general all of our apartments are equipped with the following conveniences :

Washing machine/dryer
Refrigerator
Oven
Microwave
Dishwasher
Dishes
Cookware
Coffee maker
Toaster
Towels
Linens
Hairdryer
Iron
Ironing board
TV with cable access
DVD player
Telephone
Unlimited Wifi Internet access

Some of our apartments are also equipped with safes, and extra TVs.   

We are traveling with a baby : do you have a crib available?

There is no need to tote your heavy portable crib from home. We have nice, new portacribs available at no extra charge. Just let us know what you need and it will be waiting for you when you arrive at your Paris apartment.

What happens if I have maintenance or other problem at my Paris rental apartment ? top

One of the advantages with working with Rent My Home in Paris is that you have a team on the ground for you, not just to greet you when you arrive at your Paris apartment, but also to be there for you in case any problems arise. Oftentimes, because we have intimate knowledge of all our Paris rental apartments, we can quickly and easily resolve minor issues. Otherwise, we know just the right person to call to promptly take care of any problem. Because of our many years experience buying and renovating apartments in Paris, unlike other rental agencies, we have close connections with carpenters, electricians, plumbers, maintenance people, etc. Our team is not only made of greeters and managers: we also employ reliable maintenance workers and housekeepers that have worked with us for years and are ready to respond at a moment’s notice.  

What restaurants do you recommend in the neighbourhood ? How to use the household appliances ? Where is the closest metro station ? top

When you arrive at your Paris apartment, you will find a comprehensive information manual with answers to all these questions and more. In it, you will find simple, step-by-step instructions on how to operate all the household appliances, TV, DVD, and Internet, maps to help you find your way around Paris, recommendations about things to do in your neighborhood, and a complete list of restaurants and shops to discover.  And because we’re local, you won’t be sent to the obvious tourist spots found in all the guidebooks. Instead, we’ll recommend our very favorite shops and cafés, and even give you the scoop on the best times to go, house specialties, and other insider tips. True Parisian living!

Can you help us organize excursions outside Paris? top

Absolutely! Even though you can spend weeks exploring the wonders of Paris, there are also amazing adventures to be had outside the city. If you want to venture out of Paris, we can recommend just the right excursion to suit your family and your interests. Visit the famous Castles of the Loire Valley or Monet’s Garden at Giverny, or even go antique hunting in Belgium. We can assist you with transportation and even make arrangements with a driver that can take you on full or half day trips.

I have other questions- who should I contact?

Feel free to email us anytime at contact@rentmyhomeinparis.com and we will promptly respond to your questions!

Paris Best Vacation Apartment Rentals : What if?