Search for low-cost student housing

The start of the school year is approaching quickly, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find student housing at a low price that fits their budget in university cities. 

Moreover, the UNEF union declared that rents and transportation will weigh down students' budgets at the start of the 2020 school year, with an increase of 3.69%, compared to 2.83% in 2019. As every year, rent is the main expense item, absorbing 69% of students' monthly budget, leaving them with 300 € per month to live on.

The current difficulty for students to find housing

Many students complain about high prices and the difficulty of finding housing, especially in Paris and other major university cities. Every year, more than one and a half million students find themselves in this situation!

The competition to find student apartments is tough. The owners of these accommodations carry out a strict selection to choose the best application.

What are the solutions for housing on a small budget?

Besides classic renting, there are less expensive solutions that require fewer guarantees. For example, student flat-sharing, student residences, as well as university residences offered by the CROUS (provided you have a scholarship).

To benefit from these housing solutions, a budget still needs to be planned. Moreover, the places available for these accommodations are very limited.

Nevertheless, it is possible for students to find housing at a lower cost.

A room in exchange for services

Housing in exchange for services is therefore the solution to allow students to find free accommodation in exchange for their skills. 

The student will also benefit from a friendly atmosphere within a family. Several types are available: living with an elderly person, a single mother, a blended family… 

The skills requested vary according to the host. The supportive cohabitant can offer skills in cooking or childcare. They can also provide homework help, assistance to seniors, or participate in garden maintenance, for example.

This solution is all the more economical since some hosts may also offer free meals in addition to housing.

What are the terms of housing in exchange for services?

Several agreements or contracts are available to you: 

Owners who use renting in exchange for services can:

• Either draft a Host Family Agreement: This is a tacit moral agreement between the hosts and the cohabitants. 

• Or draft an au pair employment contract: The host declares the cohabitant to URSSAF.

• Or draft an employment contract: If the value of the services rendered is higher than the amount of rent that would be required in a classic rental.

• Or draft a lease contract: If the value of the services rendered is lower than the amount of rent that would be required in a classic rental.

Establishing a written agreement

• Once the housing is found, it is important to fix the agreement in writing. This allows specifying the tasks to be accomplished as well as the number of working hours. 

• In the context of housing in exchange for services, the work is between 12 and 15 hours per week. If the 15 hours of work are exceeded, an employment contract must be put in place. 

Discover the many listings of housing in exchange for services in major university cities.