Student APL and Housing Aid for Tenants in France

As a student tenant in France, understanding APL conditions is essential to manage your budget and your rights. APL is not automatic: it depends on the lease, income, type of housing and sometimes parental residence. This article clearly explains the differences between student APL and other housing aids, how the amount is calculated, which documents to provide, and what steps to take with the CAF and public services. It is aimed at non-expert tenants, with practical steps to check eligibility, apply for aid and protect your rights in case of dispute or change of situation.

Understanding student APL

APL (personalized housing assistance) aims to reduce the share of rent borne by the tenant. For a student tenant, eligibility varies according to the lease, the nature of the housing (conventional housing or not), and household income. Rules and definitions come from official texts and practical guides published by public services and current legislation ^[1][2].

Which elements affect the aid?

• Type of housing (university residence, private housing, shelter, conventional housing).
• Amount of rent and recoverable charges included or not.
• Personal income and declared household income.
• Lease status (flatshare, sublet, furnished or unfurnished rental).

Amount and calculation

The calculation depends on a national scale and a local parameter: the actual rent capped according to the area. The CAF automatically calculates the amount after receiving a complete file. If you have precise questions about the calculation, consult the simulator or the official information ^[1].

Procedures and documents

To apply for APL: create or log into your CAF account, complete the application and attach supporting documents (rental agreement, bank details, ID, income declaration). If you are part of your parents' tax household, state your family situation.

• Online form on the CAF website via your personal account.
• Rental agreement or landlord certificate ^[3].
• Bank details for payment.

FAQ

Can a student living with parents receive APL?

If the student is not an independent tenant and there is no lease in their name, they are rarely eligible; the situation depends on the tax household and the lease.

What happens in case of income or housing changes?

You must declare any change within 60 days to the CAF to adjust the aid amount or avoid overpayments.

Can APL be combined with other housing aids?

Yes, depending on the situation you can combine it with certain local aids or scholarships, but rules vary and affect the final calculation.

How to

1. Gather documents: rental agreement, ID, bank details and income declaration.
2. Create or log into your CAF account and submit the APL application online.
3. Send the requested documents and track the file; keep acknowledgements and proof of submission.

Key points

• Check eligibility before signing a lease.
• Report any change of situation promptly.
• Keep all documents and official exchanges.

Help and resources

• [1] Service-public.fr — APL : housing aid
• [2] Legifrance.gouv.fr — Law n°89-462 of 6 July 1989
• [3] Service-public.fr — Procedures and templates (lease, inventory)

1. [1] Service-public.fr — APL : housing aid
2. [2] Legifrance.gouv.fr — Law n°89-462 of 6 July 1989
3. [3] Service-public.fr — Procedures and templates (lease, inventory)