Peter, I hate to see you give up on this trip to Paris b/c you don't feel that you can find a place. There are some other current threads that mention specific apartments, and if you just tell us ballpark estimate of what you'd like to pay, I'm sure you will get lots of recommendations. For example, here's one that was mentioned recently. http://www.vrbo.com/103254

I had www.vacationinparis.com #122. The agency, located in New Jersey, sends out the keys before one leaves home, unless they absolutely can't for some reason. #122 has an elevator in the building. It's located in the 6th. Happy Travels!

If you are a UNC alumnus, the alumni magazine often has rentals (beach and abroad) that are handled entirely in the US.

You aren't going to find a decent place without a deposit.

We stayed in this apartment in April,

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p429891

We wired a small deposit to her in advance and then paid a small security desposit and the balance of the rental fee when she met us at the apartment on arrival. The security deposit can be in a check or in cash. She handed over the cash once we handed back the keys and she saw that nothing was broken, etc. She did not charge a cleaning fee as she let us opt to clean the apartment ourselves. I think she gives you the options to pay a cleaning fee if you don't want to do the cleaning.
It's a small apartment but does have an actual bedroom with a large comfy bed. The bathroom is very nice size and has a washer. It's on a courtyard on the ground floor so not a bunch of stairs and it's very quiet.

2incarolina: As you're seeing, policies vary widely. A 50 percent deposit, sometimes plus the agency fee, is common but there are variations.

Virtually every owner requires a refundable security deposit, paid in cash on arrival. Ask if you can make it in USD so you don't have a pocketful of euros when you leave.

Your budget can be stretched by going in low season, which means it will be chilly. But hey, it's Paris! We were there in a colder-than-normal December a couple of years ago and didn't feel we missed much.

You also will get a better price on a stay of 7 days or more.

Hi
And thanks everyone for there input still no nearer to finding anywhere. Colleen - shame but the apartment you mentiond (VRBO-#31360) is booked for week we wanted (approx 5-12Oct)as it was in our budget range under $1000 a week .Also sorry for my mistakes I meant not paying a security deposit beforehand - a 50% deposit for the rent is fine with me.
As this is our 1st & probably only trip which district do you think would be best for us. Ease of getting to & from airport & sights by public transport & also quiet. Not being really mobile on my feet anymore this is quite important now. Perhaps I should have started with this (location) first again thanks to all, appreciate your help.
Regards
Pete

Did you check www.parisbestlodge.com as was suggested above?

Though arrondisements 1-7 are the most convenient (some parts more than others) that is a generalization and basically applies if you are planning to walk everywhere. If you have mobility problems, you'll want to be near convenient bus routes and metro stations that don't have a lot of stairs. And if that becomes the criteria, there are many other locations just as convenient to public transport.

If you choose some apartment possibilities, people can address their convenience. Of course, not all apartments will allow you to pay upon arrival. Both times I've rented in Paris, I've paid a deposit and paid the remainder 4-6 weeks ahead of arrival. Both times my credit card number served as the security deposit.

I dealt with two recognized and recommended agencies so I was pretty confident about what I rented.

I rent from beau-paris.com twice. Both times I paid the deposit in advance (via paypal) and the remaining balance plus the security deposit upon arrival. Even with one of the apartment (Beuret) didn't ask for a security deposit. See why I can't say enough about beau-paris

Pete

I also have used homelidays.com a few times with much success.

My daughter stayed in the apt below in Paris and the owner was quite gracious, helpful and required 50 percent down, balance on arrival. He did not require a security deposit. His reference number is 285304. Apt is located in the 10th.

The location is quiet, residental and public transport is adequate - Id on't know if it will work for but at least check it out.

Please pardon the ad (this is our agency), but it seemed these folks needed a little more specific help. This is one apartment offered by a group of owners who require 50 percent in advance (plus the agency fee), then the balance on arrival. I don't believe they'd ask for a security deposit from mature guests.

www.likelivingthere.com/Documents/Apt pages Paris/PDFs/Paris central.pdf

This is pretty central, but with a week you can stay a little further out and not mind the transport time. Depending on the season, you should be able to find something nice and within budget, if only barely depending on the exchange rate.