If you've ever been in the market for a shared apartment, you know it's a pain.
If you have ever lived in a shared apartment, when one of the residents leaves, it is also a pain to find someone!
With rents continuing to rise in France, shared accommodation has become a real alternative. The market has experienced explosive growth in recent years; listings now number in the thousands.
Based on these observations, four young people from Strasbourg created a website in 2013 to simplify life for roommates and landlords: The Roommate Map !
The Roommate Map: a simple and free tool
The principle remains true to the original idea: an interface based on Google Maps and Google Street View. You can immediately see the available apartments around a specific address. Green markers indicate vacant rooms; a click opens the detailed listing.
Access is completely free For prospective tenants. Landlords and current roommates post their listings free of charge, building a rich and highly responsive database. Each listing is reviewed before publication to eliminate duplicates and fraudulent offers: you save time and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Filters to target exactly what you want
Just below the search bar, the site offers a series of drop-down menus that can be combined with each other:
- All types : traditional flat-sharing, subletting, coliving, room in a private home…
- All rents : choose a specific range or leave the unlimited option.
- All available : immediate entry, in one month, on a specific date.
- All spaces : private room, independent studio, shared space.
- Amenities : Internet, washing machine, dishwasher, parking, balcony, garden, etc.
- All occupants : mixed, girls, boys, couples accepted or not.
- All accommodations : apartment, house, residence, coliving.
- All sizes : number of rooms or total area.
- More filters : advanced options (accessibility, pets allowed, smoking/non-smoking…).
You activate or deactivate each filter on the fly; the map and the list of ads recalculate instantly to only show the offers that meet your criteria. all your criteria.
How does it work?
First step: create your profile in less than two minutes. Specify your age, your occupation, and a short introduction. This transparency aims to reassure the advertiser and expedite contact.
Step two: start your search. Simply move or zoom the map: the list and markers update instantly, without any further action required from you. Each listing describes the room, the atmosphere of the shared accommodation, the house rules, and the cost of utilities. Recent photos complete the information.
Step three: Contact the roommates via the integrated messaging system. Arrange a visit or video call to confirm the connection. Once you're in agreement, all that's left is to sign the joint or individual lease, depending on the chosen option.
Posting an ad is very easy
Are you already living in a shared apartment and one person is missing?
Post an ad: catchy title, precise description, clear photos, and desired criteria. As soon as it's approved, candidates receive an alert; you can then review profiles and choose those you'd like to meet. The management interface centralizes all messages, preventing scattered exchanges between email and... Social Media.
Why adopt La Carte des Colocs?
Totally free
There are no registration fees or commissions. The service is funded through non-intrusive partnerships; the user does not pay a cent upfront.
Interactive map and advanced filters
You can see at a glance the actual distance between the apartment and your work or campus. The filters narrow the search down to what truly matches your needs.
Verified Ads
Each post undergoes manual review. Duplicates are removed before being published online; fraudulent offers are blocked.
Active community
Thousands of users update their listings or criteria, so you benefit from a constant stream of new opportunities.
In a nutshell
In short, The Roommate Map is the essential tool if you are looking for a flatmate! Whether you have just arrived in a big city or simply want to share the rent and good cheer, you now have everything you need to find (or replace) a flatmate without stress or wasted time.
