Key points in 30 seconds
- If you have nowhere to sleep tonight, call 115 and explain children's and other special needs.
- Ask a social worker for an assessment and SIAO referral.
- Before paying, check the property, and written permission for a paid sublet.
The procedure at a glance
Nowhere to sleep tonight: 115 and SIAO
Call 115 free if you and your children have nowhere to sleep tonight. Give your location, children's ages, pregnancy, disability and medical needs; ask to keep the family together. Accommodation depends on vacancies: if none are available, ask when to call again. A or département social worker can refer you to SIAO (Service intégré d'accueil et d'orientation), which coordinates accommodation and further support. It is not a separate phone line or a guarantee of an immediate flat. For immediate danger: 17 or 112.
Advice from the association
Don't leave this procedure to the last minute — come and see us.
Staying with a host, leases and subletting
Free hosting by a family is not a rental: agree in writing on duration, expenses and departure, and ask for an . For renting, sign a naming address, parties, rent, charges and deposit; complete an with photos, arrange home insurance and keep payment records. Paid subletting of private housing generally needs the owner's written permission for both the sublet and its price; ask for the main lease copy. Social housing has stricter rules: check with . Do not transfer money before checking the property, the landlord's identity and documents.
Common mistake
Treating 115 as a guarantee of a flat or concealing household details.
: and other housing benefits
Apply on .fr after moving in; requires conventionné housing, otherwise or may be considered. checks a valid residence document, income, household, rent and housing standards. Subletting has extra conditions, including age: the owner's consent alone does not guarantee benefit. Free hosting without rent does not qualify for . Prepare APS, , contract and attestation de loyer. A simulation is not a decision; when moving, submit a new housing application and promptly report changes to and .
Common mistake
Paying for a sublet without the owner's consent and signed documents.
: a guarantee, not a deposit payment
Action Logement's is a free guarantee for eligible tenants, not money for the deposit. Eligibility depends on age, employment, residence document, property and rent; a temporary protection APS does not guarantee approval. Check .fr before signing: obtain a visa first, then the landlord must activate the guarantee before the . If pays your rent arrears to the landlord, you must repay Action Logement.
Common mistake
Confusing with the deposit or assuming is automatic.
Deposit, and
For a standard main-home rental, the deposit is capped at 1 month's rent excluding charges for unfurnished housing and 2 months for furnished housing; it is prohibited under a mobilité. It does not replace the final month's rent. Keep the signed and photos when returning keys. Refund is normally due within 1 month if the inventories match, or 2 months if they differ; deductions must be justified. Ask a social worker about : help with deposits, moving in or debts depends on département rules and is not automatic.
Common mistake
Stopping rent payments or ignoring a court letter.
Landlord disputes or threatened eviction
Keep the lease, receipts, photos, messages and letters; put the issue in writing. Do not stop paying rent yourself because of a dispute or poor housing conditions: seek free advice, then a conciliation commission or lawyer if needed. For arrears, promptly request a repayment plan and social-worker/ support. A landlord cannot change locks, remove belongings or forcibly evict you themselves: for threats call 17/112. Do not ignore court letters or commissaire de justice documents. The winter trêve hivernale normally suspends physical eviction from 1 November to 31 March, with exceptions; debt and proceedings continue. If you risk homelessness: 115.
Step by step
- 1If you have nowhere to sleep tonight, call 115 and explain children's and other special needs.
- 2Ask a social worker for an assessment and SIAO referral.
- 3Before paying, check the property, and written permission for a paid sublet.
- 4Check before signing the and ask the social worker about .
- 5Sign the , take photos, insure the home and keep payment records.
- 6After moving in, apply to ; report address, income and family changes to and .
- 7For disputes contact ; threats: 17/112; court letters: see a lawyer promptly.
Refused or missed a deadline: what to do
Appeal deadlines run from the day you receive the decision — keep letters and envelopes.
115 has no family vacancy
Ask when to call again. Ask or a social worker to update the vulnerability assessment and SIAO referral; no vacancy is guaranteed.
Landlord threats or a court letter
Danger: call 17/112. Keep evidence and promptly take the letter to and a lawyer: deadlines and action depend on the document. Do not stop paying rent yourself; for debt, request a repayment plan and support.
Legal basis checked 26/10/2026Service-public.gouv.fr — Impayés et expulsion
Documents needed
Collected: 0 / 7
- Ukrainian passport and valid APS
- Children's documents and household details
- and income evidence
- or subletting contract with the owner's consent
- Attestation de loyer for
- , photos and home insurance
- Receipts, letters and dispute documents
FAQ
What does a visa Visale look like and where is the guaranteed rent?
The visa shows its number, validity and maximum permitted rent. The landlord checks it and activates the guarantee before signing the . It is not evidence that a deposit was paid.
Will a family from Ukraine be housed immediately after calling 115?
Not necessarily: accommodation depends on vacancies. Explain children and vulnerability, ask when to call again and seek a social worker's help with SIAO.
Can a subtenant receive APL?
Only if conditions are met, including permitted subletting, housing standards, residence and age requirements. Provide the contract and owner's consent: assesses eligibility individually.
Can the landlord change the locks if I owe rent?
They cannot evict you themselves. For threats contact police; for arrears or court documents contact , a social worker and a lawyer. The debt remains payable.
Related guides
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