Student housing: Que Choisir Ensemble warns of rent cap violations

Almost all of the student accommodation advertisements analyzed by Que Choisir Ensemble do not comply with rent control, according to a study published Tuesday, July 7 by the association, which calls for the system to be made permanent and enforced.

In six cities and urban areas studied where rent control is in force - Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Lille, Bordeaux and Paris - 95% of advertisements exceed the authorized ceilings of 234 EUR per month on average, according to this study carried out by the consumer protection association (formerly UFC Que Choisir).

Between April and May, the association looked at approximately 125 listings (50 in Paris and 15 in other cities) for studios measuring up to 18 m2, on the websites SeLoger, LeBonCoin, De Particulier à particulier and Gens de confiance.

According to the study, landlords often apply "very substantial" rent supplements that are "little or not at all justified".

"Today, too many students no longer choose their studies: it is the price of accommodation that chooses for them. The rules exist to protect these often vulnerable tenants, but they are often circumvented," says Marie-Amandine Stévenin, president of Que Choisir Ensemble, quoted in the press release.

"Rent control has proven its effectiveness: it is urgent to fully implement it and make it permanent," she adds. Rent control, whose trial period is supposed to end in November, could be extended for two years through an amended Socialist bill supported by the government.

It allows Parisian tenants to save an average of 141 euros per month, according to the barometer of the Foundation for Housing the Disadvantaged of September 2025.

According to Que Choisir Ensemble, due to a lack of space in Crous university residences, nine out of ten students turn to private accommodation, and often have to pay rents "incompatible with their budget": 600 euros on average and up to 984 euros in Paris.

According to the study, personalized housing assistance (APL) covers "on average only 43% of the rent" and the remaining cost for students "is excessive".

Que Choisir Ensemble also warns about the higher prices than elsewhere for "coliving", where each tenant has a room in an apartment or house, with additional services (gym, streaming platform subscriptions...), because of fees and charges for "unsolicited services".

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.