Visale Guarantee for Tenants in France

Visale is a free scheme that can help tenants in France access housing by providing a guarantor to the landlord in case of unpaid rent. It mainly targets employees, young workers and certain students, and aims to facilitate signing a rental contract without an excessive security deposit. This practical guide explains in simple terms who can benefit from Visale, which documents to prepare, how to apply online and what the rights and duties of the tenant and landlord are if the guarantee is activated.^[1]

What is the Visale guarantee?

The Visale guarantee is a free surety managed by a designated operator that acts as guarantor for the tenant to the landlord. It covers unpaid rents and charges within the limits provided by the scheme and for a duration defined by the adhesion contract. Visale does not replace other insurances but can be required or accepted by a landlord as an alternative to a personal guarantor.

Eligibility conditions

• Tenants aged 18 to 30 or eligible private and public sector employees.
• Students or apprentices meeting the criteria related to income and contract type.
• Covered housing: primary residence in France, subject to the scheme's ceilings and conditions.
• Possible exclusions: certain furnished rentals or situations already covered by another rent guarantee insurance.

Steps to obtain the Visale guarantee

1. Create an account on the official site and complete the application form with your details.
2. Upload the requested documents (ID, employment contract, recent pay slips or student status proof).
3. Validate the request and obtain a certificate if the file is accepted; send this certificate to the landlord to sign the lease.
4. Keep the certificate and proof of submission for your records in case of dispute.

What does the guarantee cover and what are its limits?

Visale mainly covers unpaid rents and charges reported by the landlord, within the ceilings and duration defined by the adhesion contract. The guarantee does not cover deliberate damage nor certain additional costs not provided by the scheme. In case of activation, the organization may advance sums to the landlord and then seek reimbursement from the tenant.

For legal details and the exact scope of the guarantee, refer to official texts and the general conditions available on the official site or on Legifrance.^[2]

FAQ

Who can benefit from Visale?

People aged 18 to 30, certain students and employees who meet eligibility criteria on the official website can apply for the Visale guarantee.

What if my application is refused?

If refused, the tenant can seek other solutions (bank guarantor, rent guarantee insurance) or a private guarantor, and check the refusal reasons to correct the file.

How to contest a payment claim by the landlord?

Gather proof of payment and correspondence, contact the managing organization and, if needed, contact the departmental conciliation commission or the judicial court.

How-To

1. Access the official site and create your personal account.
2. Upload the requested documents and ensure they are legible.
3. Submit the application and wait for an acceptance or refusal notification.
4. If accepted, send the certificate to the landlord and keep a copy.

Key takeaways

• Visale eases access to housing without a security deposit for eligible applicants.
• The process is mostly online and requires up-to-date documents.
• The guarantee has limits and does not cover all cases, such as intentional damage.

Help and Support / Resources

• Visale — Service-public.fr
• Legifrance — official legal texts
• Service-public.fr — procedures and models

1. [1] Service-public.fr — Visale : guarantor scheme
2. [2] Legifrance.gouv.fr — Law n° 89-462 of July 6, 1989