{"id":121947,"date":"2022-08-23T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T06:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colivys.com\/how-do-i-know-if-my-accommodation-is-eligible-for-apl\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T16:45:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:45:27","slug":"how-do-i-know-if-my-accommodation-is-eligible-for-apl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/colivys.com\/en\/blog\/how-do-i-know-if-my-accommodation-is-eligible-for-apl\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I know if my accommodation is eligible for APL?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Updated February, 02 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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APL is a financial aid program provided by the French government. This personalized housing benefit is paid by the CAF (Caisse d\u2019Allocations Familiales) for the applicant’s primary residence. Whether you are a student, job seeker, young professional, or employee, this aid helps take the pressure off by covering part of your rent.<\/p>\n

However, not all properties are eligible for APL. To qualify, your apartment must meet certain requirements. How do you know if your home is eligible? What criteria should you check?
We\u2019ll tell you everything in this article!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is a contracted housing unit?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The allocation policy for APL can be quite complex. Some apartments may not be eligible for APL, while for others, eligibility is mandatory. In fact, there are certain “conventionn\u00e9” housing units where receiving APL is a requirement for moving in.<\/p>\n

But what exactly is a “contracted housing”?<\/strong><\/em> It refers to a property where the owner or property manager has signed an agreement with the State, represented by the ANAH (Agence Nationale de l’Habitat) or the local Prefecture. By signing this agreement, the owner agrees to follow specific rules in exchange for tax benefits and renovation grants.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Contracted vs Non-Contracted Housing: What\u2019s the difference for you?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Whether an accommodation is contracted or not, there are key differences to keep in mind. Here is a summary table to help you see things more clearly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Crit\u00e8re<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n
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Logement conventionn\u00e9<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n
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Logement non conventionn\u00e9<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aide possible<\/strong><\/td>\nAPL<\/td>\nALS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loyer<\/strong><\/td>\nPlafonn\u00e9 par l’\u00c9tat<\/td>\nLibre (march\u00e9)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Montant de l’aide<\/strong><\/td>\nG\u00e9n\u00e9ralement plus \u00e9lev\u00e9<\/td>\nG\u00e9n\u00e9ralement plus faible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conditions<\/strong><\/td>\nStrictes (d\u00e9cence, surface)<\/td>\nMoins strictes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
V\u00e9rification<\/strong><\/td>\nDemander au propri\u00e9taire<\/td>\n\/<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If your accommodation is not contracted, you can still receive the ALS (Allocation de Logement Social). Please note that APL and ALS cannot be combined; the CAF will automatically grant you the most advantageous benefit for your situation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to check if your housing is contracted?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Wondering if your future apartment or current room is contracted?
Here are 3 simple methods to verify it:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1 \u2022 Ask your landlord or agency <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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This is the simplest and most direct method. Ask them before signing the lease if the accommodation is APL-eligible (contracted). A landlord who has a contracted property will know and be transparent about it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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2 \u2022 Check your lease agreement <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Some leases explicitly mention “logement conventionn\u00e9 APL” (APL-eligible housing) or “convention ANAH.” Look for these terms in the first few pages of your rental contract. Note: it isn’t always clearly stated, even if the property is eligible.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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3 \u2022 Contact the CAF <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Contact the CAF The CAF can verify if the property is registered as “contracted.” You can:<\/p>\n

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  • Call your local CAF office<\/li>\n
  • Send a message through your personal account on the CAF portal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    At Colivys, all our properties are “contracted” and eligible for APL. You don\u2019t even have to ask!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    APL eligibility criteria<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    To be eligible for APL, your housing must be your primary residence. While it may seem obvious, the accommodation must also be decent and safe.
    Here are the requirements:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The 10 criteria for decent housing:<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Beyond the minimum 9m\u00b2 surface area, your housing must meet the “decency criteria” established by the State.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    1. Minimum surface area and volume <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    At least 9 m\u00b2 of surface area for a single person, or a minimum habitable volume of 20 m\u00b3.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    2. Sanitary facilities <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    The home must have a source of potable (drinking) water, a toilet (inside or easily accessible), and a bathroom equipped with a shower or bathtub.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    3. Heating <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    A functional heating system and minimum insulation to prevent significant energy loss.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    4. Electricity <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Electrical installations must meet safety standards (e.g., no exposed wiring, which is hazardous).<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    5. Structural safety <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    There must be no risk of collapse. Guardrails must be installed on windows and balconies where necessary, and staircases must be secure.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    6. Weatherproofing <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    The unit must be free of water infiltration. Doors and windows must be in good condition, and the roof must be watertight.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    7. Ventilation <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Air circulation must be sufficient. The ventilation system (VMC) must be functional; otherwise, windows or openings allowing for fresh air must be available.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    8. Kitchen area <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    A kitchen or kitchenette must be provided, allowing tenants to prepare and store food. A sink with running water is mandatory.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    9. Natural light <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Main living areas must have a window looking outside to ensure sufficient natural light.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    10. General condition <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    The property must be free of pests (rats, cockroaches, bedbugs). Floors, walls, and ceilings must be in good repair, with no significant mold.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Important:<\/strong><\/em> If your accommodation does not meet these criteria, you will not be able to receive APL, even if you are personally eligible and the property benefits of a contract with the State.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    How to tell if your housing meets these criteria?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Before signing your lease:<\/p>\n