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One thought constantly nagging me was, Am I going to check-in in a hotel already booked in Paris ? Or can I move to the apartment which I have only verbally booked one week back ?
1. My Relocation agency was dealing with the apartment owner, and she was diplomatically not giving me the right information till the last day.
2. She could not confirm the apartment to me, because as per the French system I had not paid the 2 months rent as Security deposit and the first month Rent.
3. I wanted to pay the Security deposit and the Rent, but I could not, as I can only do that via a French bank account check. And you cannot have a French bank account until you are employed in France.
4. I could not talk to the apartment owner as they don’t speak English and I don’t speak French yet.
5. The French law is very Renter friendly. So if I move to the apartment and don’t pay the rent, the owner cannot just push me out !
6. For the owner it was a very good deal as I accepted to pay the rent 2 days prior to my landing in Paris. And I accepted to pay a higher rent without any negotiation.
7. My Relocation agency had a fear, that I might not accept this apartment if the move is delayed. This is because the rent was higher than market. I could have got a bigger and less costly apartment if I insisted on hunting further.
8. I liked this apartment, as it is walking distance to my office and my son’s school and a grocery store, and it’s a furnished one, satisfying all the criteria I had.
9. And the last point, from my Relocation agency’s perspective my deal was one of the most easy deals, as I accepted the apartment in 10 mins visit, and did not negotiate on rent.
Picture above : My son at the airport...
After my arrival at Paris airport, I called the Relocation agency (for the last time) if I am coming to the apartment or going to the hotel (read it as the deal is lost)…
One thought constantly nagging me was, Am I going to check-in in a hotel already booked in Paris ? Or can I move to the apartment which I have only verbally booked one week back ?
And naturally I
wanted to move in the apartment !
1. My Relocation agency was dealing with the apartment owner, and she was diplomatically not giving me the right information till the last day.
2. She could not confirm the apartment to me, because as per the French system I had not paid the 2 months rent as Security deposit and the first month Rent.
3. I wanted to pay the Security deposit and the Rent, but I could not, as I can only do that via a French bank account check. And you cannot have a French bank account until you are employed in France.
4. I could not talk to the apartment owner as they don’t speak English and I don’t speak French yet.
5. The French law is very Renter friendly. So if I move to the apartment and don’t pay the rent, the owner cannot just push me out !
6. For the owner it was a very good deal as I accepted to pay the rent 2 days prior to my landing in Paris. And I accepted to pay a higher rent without any negotiation.
7. My Relocation agency had a fear, that I might not accept this apartment if the move is delayed. This is because the rent was higher than market. I could have got a bigger and less costly apartment if I insisted on hunting further.
8. I liked this apartment, as it is walking distance to my office and my son’s school and a grocery store, and it’s a furnished one, satisfying all the criteria I had.
9. And the last point, from my Relocation agency’s perspective my deal was one of the most easy deals, as I accepted the apartment in 10 mins visit, and did not negotiate on rent.
So there were
three parties, with their risks and interests(less labour, more returns), and
each not knowing the other well.
Dealing
in foreign language for me and them, new
rules for me, clear differences in culture for all… Distrust is the easiest
option….
After my arrival at Paris airport, I called the Relocation agency (for the last time) if I am coming to the apartment or going to the hotel (read it as the deal is lost)…
Due to the past,
“not so good experience” with my Relocation agency I wanted to really confirm
if she will be there at the apartment with the keys. As it’s not possible to
wait outside a digitally secured apartment, with 200 kg luggage, and a family
with a kid when its 2 degrees centigrade outside.
And yes
I was clearly not interested in checking-in the hotel, unpacking the stuff,
then packing and again moving to the apartment after few hours or few days.
The Relocation
agency got a hint of my mindset, and the required urgency in deciding.
On the positive
note she could also sense the sincerity in my voice…
She
told she will get back in 30 secs. After a quick conversation with the owner,
she confirmed. she will be there at the
apartment with the owner.
I reached and got
my wife and kid inside the warm apartment. And with the help of the taxi driver
and owner of the apartment, we got the 200 kgs luggage in the apartment.
And then it was
time to sign the lease. I just signed it. I could not read even if I wanted as
the lease was in French. It was definitely trust
developing between strangers, after meeting and talking to each other….
Then, I rushed to
the back to get my check book. (My French bank account process had started a
week back and luckily my checkbook had arrived in the bank). There was no Euros
in the account yet. I withdrew close to a Eur 1000 via a Forex card, and gave
two checks with a promise that it will not bounce if they deposit in 3 days…
So I was in the
apartment after 2-3 hours of running around, newly built trust, some cash
Euros, and two checks with no Euros in the account yet…
This
was a big milestone for me… and the first one achieved… It was interesting that
I had bent the rules to get to my apartment… The only factor which was
overriding all was the trust on each other…
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