Practical guide
DossierFacile: the state-certified rental file landlords trust
In Paris, a listing attracts dozens of applications within hours. DossierFacile, the free public service run by the French Ministry of Housing, turns your supporting documents into a verified, watermarked digital file you share with a single link. Combined with a Visale guarantor, it is the other half of an application that goes to the top of the pile.
Updated 22 July 2026
What is DossierFacile?
DossierFacile is a free online public service operated by the French Ministry of Housing. You upload your supporting documents, a team checks them (legibility, consistency, compliance), then your file is certified and available through a web link you paste into your applications.
Every document is covered with a watermark stating that it is for rental use only. That is concrete protection against document fraud and the reuse of your papers: never again attach raw payslips to an email.
Which documents to prepare
Tip: scan complete, sharp documents (every page, no fingers in the shot, no rough cropping). Illegible documents are the number one cause of back-and-forth with the verification team.
- Valid ID (national ID card, passport, residence permit).
- Proof of your situation: work contract or employer certificate, school enrolment certificate or work-study contract.
- Proof of income: last three payslips, latest tax notice, scholarship or pension statements where relevant.
- Proof of your current address (rent receipts, a host attestation, and so on).
- For a personal guarantor: the same documents for them. A Visale visa can replace the guarantor.
How it works, step by step
- 1. Create your account on dossierfacile.logement.gouv.fr.
- 2. Upload your documents, plus your guarantor's documents or your Visale visa.
- 3. The team verifies your file within 72 working hours at most, often faster. If a document raises an issue, you receive a precise correction request.
- 4. You get a unique link to your certified file, to paste into every application (and a full PDF if an agency insists on one).
Why it changes your applications, especially in the Paris region
Paris agencies and landlords sort through piles of files: a state-certified file reads in a few seconds, with no missing document and no doubt about authenticity. Several agency networks now recommend it, or even require it.
The winning combination in Île-de-France: DossierFacile for the file, Visale for the guarantee. Both are free, both are public, and both can be ready before your first viewing. Your application arrives complete while the others are still gathering paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
Is DossierFacile really free?
Yes, completely. It is a public service operated by the French Ministry of Housing, with no paid tier and no advertising.
Is DossierFacile mandatory to rent in France?
No. But a certified file is read faster and inspires trust, and some agencies now ask for it explicitly.
How long does the verification take?
The service announces a verification within 72 working hours at most, and it is often faster in practice. Create your file before you start booking viewings.
Can my guarantor be included in the file?
Yes, the file can include your personal guarantor's documents, or your Visale visa if you use the public guarantee.
Are my documents protected?
The documents are hosted by the public service and watermarked for rental use only, which discourages any fraudulent reuse.
Official sources
More guides in English: Visale: the free rent guarantor for renting in France Guarantor in France: your options when you don't have one Mobility lease: renting furnished for 1 to 10 months
En français : DossierFacile : le dossier de location certifié qui rassure les bailleurs