To pay for a move, a written loan from a relative can cover the security deposit, the van and the first rent, but it is wiser to check Action Logement or CAF support first, as these are often free or interest-free.
The expenses that pile up when you change homes
A move combines the security deposit, first rent, agency fees capped by the ALUR law, van hire or a removal quote, meter connections and sometimes double rent during the notice period. Price each item before approaching a private lender.
Action Logement's Loca-Pass advance before any private loan
Action Logement offers the Loca-Pass advance, an interest-free loan to fund the security deposit, subject to conditions, particularly for private-sector employees and young people. Check your eligibility before borrowing the same sum from a private individual.
Visale guarantee: reassuring the landlord without borrowing
The Visale guarantee, also run by Action Logement, acts as a free guarantor for unpaid rent with the owner. It pays no money to the tenant, but it often avoids asking a parent to guarantee the lease on top of lending money.
Job transfers and employer support
When you are transferred, some companies reimburse moving costs or grant a salary advance, depending on the collective agreement. Ask your human resources department, because this advance sometimes replaces a loan requested from family to your advantage.
Borrowing the security deposit from a relative
The security deposit on an unfurnished home is capped at one month's rent excluding charges by the law of 6 July 1989. A family loan covering that amount is naturally repaid when the deposit is returned at the end of the lease.
Setting a realistic schedule after moving in
The first months in a new home bring surprises: meter activation fees, compulsory home insurance for tenants, curtains or household appliances. Allow a deferral of one or two months in the IOU before the first instalment falls due.
The fake landlord who wants a transfer before the visit
Housing scams often accompany moves: a fake owner living abroad, keys sent by courier after payment. Never pay a security deposit before visiting and signing the lease, even if a relative has lent you that money for the purpose.
Fast loan ads aimed at people moving home
Fake lenders target people under pressure from a moving date and demand fees before any payment. Our page on loan scams on social media describes their scenarios, from Facebook groups to WhatsApp conversations with so-called private lenders.
Written agreement and proof of transfer
Even for a few hundred euros, an IOU stating the sum in figures and in words, in line with article 1376 of the French Civil Code, protects both parties. The template and useful clauses are in our loan agreement guide.
Moving and rent: the situation of tenants
A tenant leaving a home in a high-demand area benefits from a notice period cut to one month, which limits double rent. Situations specific to tenants are covered on our page about the peer-to-peer loan for tenants.
Loans above 5 000 €: mandatory declaration
A move abroad or fully furnishing a new home can exceed 5 000 €. In that case, the borrower declares the agreement on formulaire 2062, the French tax form for loans, with the income tax return, and the lender declares any interest received.
Where to get advice before committing
The ADIL in your department gives free information on leases, security deposits and housing aid. For credit questions, the Banque de France and the Assurance Banque Épargne Info Service answer private individuals' questions without selling anything.
How to fund your move with help from a private individual
- Draw up the full moving budget: security deposit, transport, first rent, agency fees and any double rent.
- Check support from Action Logement, the CAF and your employer before looking for a private lender.
- Ask a relative for the balance and draft a signed IOU stating the amount, term and any deferral.
- Receive the funds by bank transfer and pay the landlord only after visiting and signing the lease.
- Declare the loan on formulaire 2062 if the amount exceeds 5 000 €.
- Repay by standing order and use the refund of your old security deposit to pay back the loan.
Costs of a move financed with a private loan
| Item | Order of magnitude | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Interest between individuals | Free to set, below the usury rate (indicative) | Interest-free loans between relatives remain common |
| Loca-Pass advance | Interest-free | Subject to Action Logement eligibility |
| Registering the agreement | 125 € fixed duty (indicative) | Optional formality |
| Deposit on an unfurnished home | One month's rent excluding charges at most | Legal cap, law of 6 July 1989 |
| Fees claimed by a fake lender | Any sum paid upfront | Scam: pay nothing |
Useful documents for a moving loan
- Identity documents of the borrower and the lender
- Signed lease or rental commitment for the new home
- Removal company or van hire quote
- Recent proof of income
- Bank details for the payment and repayments
- Signed IOU and repayment schedule
- Formulaire 2062 for a loan above 5 000 €
Common traps when a move is financed on credit
- Borrowing from an individual without checking the Loca-Pass advance or the Visale guarantee, which cover part of the needs for free.
- Paying a deposit to an owner you never met, who claims to be abroad and promises to post the keys.
- Paying processing fees to a lender contacted through a Facebook group about moving or flat sharing.
- Setting the first instalment in the month you move in, when unexpected expenses are at their heaviest.
- Sending your lease and payslips to a stranger, documents later reused for identity theft.
Common questions about borrowing to move home
Can a relative pay my security deposit directly to the landlord?
Yes, but keep a written record showing it is a loan and not a gift. An IOU mentioning this direct payment to the owner avoids any dispute, especially when the deposit is returned at the end of the lease.
Can the refund of my old security deposit repay the loan?
That is a common solution. The landlord has one month to return the deposit if the move-out inspection matches, and two months otherwise. Provide in the agreement that this sum will be passed on to the lender as soon as it arrives.
Does moving abroad change the rules of the loan?
The loan remains governed by the law chosen by the parties, often French law if the agreement is signed in France. Give a contact address and a repayment account, and ask a notary about the tax rules of the host country.
Do I need a notary for a small moving loan?
No. For a few hundred or a few thousand euros, a private IOU is enough. Registration with the tax office, at the fixed duty of 125 €, remains optional but gives the document a certain date.