Renting in Paris Between Christmas and New Year: What Nobody Tells You

During the week between Christmas and New Year, Paris slows right down. Agencies operate on skeleton staff, serious applicants are away with family, and most people have mentally checked out of their property search.

The result? Competition on the listings that are still active is cut in half.

Here is everything you need to know to turn this period to your advantage.

Why are there listings between Christmas and New Year at all?

Landlords who can’t afford to wait

Some landlords face an unavoidable deadline:

• A tenant who gave notice in early December (move-out expected end of January)
• A property that has just become vacant following a separation or a death
• An investor who wants to avoid too long a void period
• A new-build property handed over by the developer in December

These landlords need to let the property fast. They cannot afford to wait until January.

Properties relisted in a hurry

Other listings that appear this week correspond to properties that failed to find a tenant in November-December. The landlord or agency relists them, sometimes with:

• A slightly reduced rent
• More flexible move-in conditions
• Immediate availability

The winning strategy for this period

Step 1: Set up your alerts on the morning of 26 December

Most rental applicants pause their alerts “for the holidays”. Turn yours on at exactly that moment. On SeLoger, PAP, Leboncoin and Jinka, set your alerts to real time — not a daily digest.

Step 2: Be reachable and responsive

Landlords who list between Christmas and New Year receive far fewer applications. But they are also surprised and delighted when someone responds within the hour. Calling back within 30 minutes of a missed call can win you the apartment.

Step 3: Prepare your application in advance

Your application should be ready before 26 December:

• Proof of income for the last 3 months
• Tax notice
• Proof of identity
• Guarantees (a personal guarantor, Visale, unpaid-rent insurance)

A complete application sent the same day is often what makes the difference against a candidate who still has to “gather their documents after the holidays”.

Step 4: Don’t overlook Sunday 28th and Monday 29th

These two days are often the busiest of the week. Landlords have used Christmas to rest and decide to list their property online. Agencies sometimes keep a skeleton service running. Stay connected.

⚠️ Warning sign: Properties listed between Christmas and New Year that are still online on 2 January deserve a closer look — either the landlord is being very selective about the tenant profile, or there is a problem with the property. View it before getting your hopes up.

What APPARTE does during this period

Unlike traditional agencies, APPARTE keeps actively monitoring new listings even over the holidays. Our property hunters know that the best opportunities appear when the competition is asleep.

For our clients under an active mandate, we keep sourcing properties and making contact throughout this strategic week.

Looking for an apartment in Paris?

APPARTE does the hunting for you — even when everyone else is on holiday. Book a discovery call with our team today.