What INSEAD Housing Really Costs
Housing is the second-largest cost of your INSEAD year after tuition — and the one where advertised prices are least reliable. A room that looks cheap in an advert can quietly become an expensive one once charges, fees and end-of-lease adjustments land. This guide is about what actually goes into the total, and the fine print that changes it.
Where the prices are
We publish every rate in one place only: on each room and flat's own page, and in the live availability search, which shows the rate next to the dates that are actually free. Nothing you read here can go stale, and what you see is what you pay.
One rate per home, and a deposit shown next to it
- The monthly rate is published on each home's page — all-inclusive, the same for every guest whatever the programme.
- The deposit is shown under the rate, home by home; it is returned after check-out.
- Stays shorter than four months are quoted on request, because they depend on the dates left free between two leases.
What kind of home to budget for
| Type of home | What it means |
|---|---|
| Room in a coliving house | Your own room, shared kitchen and living room; bathroom private or shared depending on the house |
| Studio | Your own kitchen and bathroom, nothing shared |
| Private 1–2 bedroom flat | Suits couples, and anyone working from home |
| Budget room from a private landlord | Cheaper on paper, found in Telegram and Facebook groups — quality unverifiable |
The “all inclusive” test
In our homes, all inclusive means exactly that: gas, water, electricity, high-speed internet, local taxes and cleaning every two weeks. One number, no adjustment later.
Elsewhere, four items deserve a direct question before you sign:
- Provisional utility charges — the classic French surprise: “charges” are estimated monthly, then adjusted against your deposit at the end. Students studying at home all day use more than the estimate.
- Agency fees — typically one month of rent in France. Zero when you book direct with owners.
- Exit cleaning — deducted at check-out in some houses.
- Linen and “welcome” packs — charged separately, sometimes mandatory.
The one question that protects you: “What is the all-in monthly total for my exact lease dates, and is any part of it provisional?” Ask it in writing. A serious landlord answers in one line.
One-off costs to budget
Deposit: required everywhere reputable — paid at signature, returned after check-out. It is not a cost, but it is real cash flow, so plan for it; the amount for your unit is confirmed in writing before you sign. Housing insurance: sometimes required by the lease, and inexpensive to buy online.
How to compare two offers properly
Put both on the same basis before deciding:
- Take the all-in monthly rate for your exact dates, not the headline rate.
- Add agency fees — about one month of rent in France, zero when you book direct with owners.
- Add the provisional charges you may be billed at the end. Ask whether any part of the rent is provisional.
- Add exit costs: cleaning, linen packs, restoration.
- Compare the two totals over the whole stay, not per month. An all-inclusive rate that looks higher each month often wins by a wide margin.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I see the actual price?
On each home's page and in the availability search — public, all-inclusive, and updated as bookings come in.
Is the deposit safe?
It should be documented in the lease with the return conditions. In our homes it is returned after check-out, minus only documented damage — never “cleaning surprises”.
Why are short stays priced on request?
A short booking carries the same fixed costs — turnover, cleaning, setup — spread over fewer weeks, and it depends on the dates left free between two leases. That is why stays under four months are quoted on request rather than listed.
All our prices are public, all-inclusive, and shown with live availability.
See prices & availability →Continue: the complete housing guide · options compared.