It's the first time I'm renting an apt. in Paris -- found one through rentparis.com.
Do you know if this is a good agency to rent from? Is it normal to pay 50% up front? I'm concerned about hidden fees, not getting deposit back, etc. - finding that it doesn't exist when we arrive in Paris! (sort of kidding)
Soooo...I've located an apt which would work for myself and my children --- but it's on rue Michel le Comte, near the Beaubourg Centre apparently. I am not that familiar with the area and want to know if it is safe enough for my kids and me. I seem to remember the area around the Pompidou being a bit 'scruffy' years ago. Please give me an update on the area, if you've been there recently... THANKS! We need to book NOW since we'll be there in about a week.

Can't help you on the deposit worries, I haven't rented from them. But that certainly is normal to pay 50 pct upon booking. I don't think I've ever seen a place that required less, and some require more, although that usually depends on the date compared to when you will be there. For example, if you are going to be there within 30 days, they may require 100 pct payment. You say you plan to go there in only one week? I think you are pretty lucky that it's only 50 pct.

For the life of me I still can not understan why anyone would pay agency fee when you have the option to deal directly with the owner! Try vrbo.com

What agency fee?? This is rent.

arablefern,
We've rented from rentparis.com twice. They are legit and the 50% deposit is standard. We loved the first rental we had on rue Rambuteau, about a block from Pompidou Center-beautiful street with many small foods shops. We liked it so much we returned two years ago with our kids. We had a larger apartment down the street but it wasn't as nice nor represented as honestly in the listing.

I would suggest you look very closely at the pictures and send Fabrice an email with any questions. Don't assume anything is there if it isn't listed or pictured.

greytop13,
I just looked at rentparis.com, and it looks like a keeper The prices are good, and I like that you can use a credit card to pay. That's one thing I wouldn't like about renting some apartments. It just seems much more complicated than booking a hotel. Some that I've looked at require a bank draft or cash, and having to go pick up a key. People who have rented apartments tell of problems with the person who has their key not showing up for hours. It hasn't seemed worth the trouble for one week. However, in the future, we are looking at a longer stay, so I'm investigating apartment rental, as it is less expensive. Also, we have no desire to cook, but for a longer stay we would pick up cheese, rotisserie chicken, baguettes, etc.
Sandy

I rented from them a couple of years ago. Everything went really smoothly--I wouldn't hesitate to rent from them again.

I used paypal to give the 50% upfront--I liked having that option. Fabrice was a sweetheart.

Hi, Arable...
We're renting a studio from them this March...I will report back when we return.

So far, though, so good -- their email responses to my questions are quick and helpful and paying via PayPal was painless.

Looks good, although personally i'd want to have a separate bedroom if I'm with my kids. 30 sq meters is a little small maybe.
The areas great though, all of paris is safe if you compare with almost anywhere in the States

We have used them twice, although at the time they did not accept paypal. They used to accept credit cards way back, but stopped that. We were very satisfied with both apartments and with the service. I have since rented apartments from a private party who lives in the US and from vacationinparis.com. Both of those rentals accepted payment in dollars not euros. Vacationinparis also will accept payment in credit card and will mail you the key before you leave, which is very convenient. We're renting from them again in May. But getting back to rentparis, I wouldn't hesitate to use them. The area the apartment is locate in is fine and as with most locations in the marais, easy to walk to everywhere.