The Crous tenant code is a unique alphanumeric identifier distinct from the INE number, generated after the allocation of accommodation in university residence. Its issuance is directly dependent on the completion of the e-Bail file on MesServices.etudiant.gouv.fr, and since the 2025-2026 campaign, validation deadlines condition the handover of keys.
e-Bail file and completion deadlines: the technical lock of the Crous tenant code
The tenant code is not automatically sent upon allocation of the accommodation. It appears in the personal space once the “My rental file” section and the supplementary e-Bail file are finalized. We observe that this sequence is poorly understood by the majority of candidates.
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The Crous Montpellier-Occitanie, for example, requires Campus France students to confirm the housing proposal within four days, and then to complete the e-Bail before arrival. Without a finalized e-Bail file, the keys are not handed over, and the tenant code remains inaccessible in the interface.
Specifically, the “My rental file” section requests the usual supporting documents (home insurance certificate, bank account details, ID photo), while the supplementary file varies depending on the associated Crous. We recommend addressing the Crous tenant code step by step rather than waiting for the start of the school year to look into it: delays in completion are the primary cause of blockage in entering the accommodation.
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Housing campaign calendar 2025-2026 and code activation
The tenant code can only exist after an effective allocation, which is framed by a strict national calendar. For 2025-2026, the Trouver un logement Crous site structures the allocation into three cycles between May and July 2026, with a supplementary phase opening from July 7 for students not concerned by the DSE.
The Crous Nice-Toulon has introduced a novelty: allocation or priority messages sent automatically even before the opening of housing on the platform. This pre-positioning modifies the usual process, as the student receives a notification without having consulted the online offers.
Main phase and supplementary phase
During the main phase (May-June), only students who submitted a DSE before the deadline can apply. The tenant code is generated in the days following the acceptance of the proposal and the completion of the e-Bail.
The supplementary phase operates differently. Remaining places are offered continuously, and the confirmation deadline is often shortened. We observe that international students going through Campus France predominantly enter this second window, with additional document submission constraints.
Recovering a lost or missing Crous tenant code on MesServices
The tenant code appears on the monthly payment notice and in the “My accommodation” section of MesServices.etudiant.gouv.fr. In case of loss, the first check is to consult the spam folder of the email account associated with the MesServices account: the allocation email containing the code often ends up there.
If the code does not appear in the online space, three probable causes:
- The e-Bail file is incomplete. A missing document or a rejected document blocks the generation of the code. Check each tab of the supplementary file in “My rental file”.
- The housing proposal was not confirmed within the allotted time. In this case, the allocation is canceled, and no code is created. You must go through the supplementary phase again.
- A technical problem related to the MesServices account (unverified email address, duplicate INE account). The support service of the associated Crous is the only one that can resolve this situation.
Tenant code and APL application with the CAF
The tenant code is required for the housing aid application on the CAF website. Without this identifier, the “housing in Crous residence” section of the form cannot be completed, which delays the payment of APL – sometimes by several months.
The CAF does not recognize the INE number as a substitute. The dedicated field specifically expects the tenant code as it appears on the payment notice. We recommend keeping a copy of the first payment notice received, as it serves as the reference document for all subsequent procedures.
Securing access to the Cité’U account
The tenant code also serves as an identifier to activate the Cité’U account, which provides access to online rent payment, reporting technical issues, and tracking receipts. Activation involves creating a personalized password during the first login.
Keeping the tenant code in a password manager prevents recurring blocks throughout the year. Changing Crous residence during the lease generates a new code, rendering the old one invalid for all procedures related to the new accommodation.
The process of obtaining the Crous tenant code relies on a precise sequence: DSE or Campus France application, allocation, confirmation within the deadline, completion of the e-Bail, and then generation of the code in the MesServices space. Missing a step delays the entire chain, including the payment of APL and physical access to the accommodation.