Case #1
Au pair employment contract
If the rent value is equivalent to the value of the services provided.
The “salary” is free accommodation.
Housing in exchange for services
Housing for services is supportive, affordable and inclusive.
Housing for services — what does it mean?
Housing in exchange for services is an alternative rental arrangement where an owner (or a tenant with the owner’s approval) provides all or part of a home free of charge (or at a reduced rent) in return for small services.
Examples of services
Home sitting, help at home, babysitting, DIY & small repairs, pet sitting, daytime presence, overnight presence, childcare, support for older people, support for people with disabilities, property watching, gardening, cleaning & shopping, school pick-ups, tutoring.
In practice
Contracts for housing in exchange for services
Owners using housing for services can choose a suitable contractual framework.
Case #2
Furnished rental agreement
If the services are valued lower than or equal to a standard market rent.
Rental framework + services.
Case #3
Employment contract
If the value of services is higher than market rent (or if weekly hours become too high).
Declaration & related obligations.
On the one hand, owners using housing for services can:
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Draw up an au pair employment contract if the rent value is equivalent to the value of the services provided. This is an employment contract where the salary is free accommodation. We provide an au pair contract template to all our Premium members. Au pair employer/employee status requires specific rules—see service-public.fr for official guidance.
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Use a furnished rental agreement when the services provided are valued lower than or equal to the rent that would be charged under a standard rental arrangement.
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Use an employment contract if the value of the services provided is higher than the rent that would be charged under a standard rental arrangement.
Housing for services: what the written agreement should include
We recommend putting the agreement in writing. It is important to specify the tasks and the number of hours. In practice, weekly time usually ranges between 10 and 15 hours.
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➜ Names and contact details of both parties
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➜ Start and end dates of the exchange
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➜ Nature of the services requested
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➜ Schedule and number of hours to be performed
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➜ Description of the space provided
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➜ Rules for shared areas and daily living
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➜ Allocation of utility costs and charges
We provide several contract templates: flatshare agreement, au pair employment contract, inventory checklist, etc. You can download them here.
Stay vigilant
Be vigilant about the nature of the services requested.
Before committing, we recommend meeting your future host in person to understand clearly who you are committing to and under what conditions.
Conditions for offering or choosing housing in exchange for services
Decent housing — the owner’s obligations
Even when accommodation is provided free of charge in exchange for services, the owner must provide decent housing:
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No obvious risks to physical safety or health;
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Free from infestation by pests or parasites;
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Meets minimum energy performance and includes essential features for habitation;
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Complies with decency standards defined by French regulations, including:
- A vacant bedroom or studio of at least 9 m² with a ceiling height of at least 2.20 m (minimum habitable volume: 20 m³);
- Minimum comfort suitable for living (window, heating, electricity, etc.);
- Safety and hygiene: the property must be structurally sound, protected from water infiltration, with watertight joinery, etc.
Dare to exchange. Live the shared experience.
Calculating the value of services and accommodation
Contracts for housing in exchange for services
Housing for services means accommodation is provided free of charge in return for services performed.
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The rent that would normally be charged under a standard rental arrangement. To estimate your property’s market rent, you can use a free valuation tool.
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The number of working hours corresponding to that amount. If you exceed 15 hours per week, you may need an employment contract.
Estimate the value of services
Indicative estimate based on the gross minimum hourly wage: €12,31 (2026). — Gross monthly minimum wage (35h): €1 867,02
10 h / week
Please note: above 15 h per week, it may be necessary to formalise the relationship through an employment contract, depending on the situation.
Estimated equivalent
≈ 123.10 € / week
≈ 533.02 € / month
Indicative gross estimate, excluding charges.
Important legal information
The amounts shown are provided for information purposes only. Each housing-for-services arrangement is unique.
In case of doubt, formalise a written agreement and contact the relevant authorities.
Good to know
To estimate the value of these hours, you can use the minimum hourly wage (below which employees cannot legally be paid).
Indicative amounts for the minimum wage (2025):
Gross hourly minimum wage
€11.88
Gross monthly minimum wage (35h)
€1,801.80
Reductions may apply in certain cases (apprentices and employees under 18).
Do not exceed the number of hours stated in the agreement. Undeclared extra hours may be treated as undeclared work. In that case, it is safer to use an employment contract.
Ready to get started?
Post or find a housing for services listing and connect with confidence.
Want to go further? Dive into the complete guide to housing in exchange for services .
Frequently Asked Questions
Is home-for-services legal? +
Home-for-services can be legal, but there is no single framework covering every situation. The applicable framework depends on the accommodation, value of services, time involved, status of the parties and whether there is any employment-like subordination.
For this reason, it is important to describe the arrangement clearly in writing and to avoid any excessive, unclear or disguised work situation.
Which services can be exchanged for accommodation? +
Possible services include tutoring, school pick-up, occasional babysitting, shopping, gardening, pet-sitting, home-sitting, light administrative help, presence or small everyday tasks.
The list must always be adapted to the real situation. A service is acceptable only if it is clear, limited, safe and compatible with the cohabitant’s personal, study or work rhythm.
Is a contract mandatory? +
A written contract is not always mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. It clarifies the accommodation, duration, services, schedule, charges, house rules, insurance and conditions for ending the arrangement.
A written document does not automatically solve every legal issue, but it reduces misunderstandings and provides a useful reference if a disagreement occurs.
Does home-for-services have one single legal framework? +
No. Home-for-services can involve several legal situations depending on the facts: free accommodation, furnished rental, intergenerational solidarity cohabitation, employment contract, au pair arrangement or another written agreement.
The right framework depends on the value of accommodation, the value and regularity of services, the number of hours and whether there is any subordination. This is why clear wording and official verification are important.
Can accommodation be offered for free in exchange for services? +
Yes, accommodation may be offered free of rent or at a reduced rent if the framework is clear and balanced. The services must be defined in advance and remain proportionate to the accommodation made available.
Free accommodation does not mean an absence of rules. Duration, living spaces, charges, insurance, services, schedules and exit conditions should be written down.
Which services should be avoided? +
Avoid dangerous tasks, medical care, personal care requiring professional skills, heavy work, permanent supervision, sexual services, humiliating tasks or anything illegal.
Also avoid vague wording such as “help as needed”. If a task cannot be described precisely, with reasonable hours and limits, it should not be included in the agreement.