Benefits for the senior
Stay at home longer and keep autonomy.
Reduce isolation, especially in the evening, thanks to a friendly presence.
Delay moving to an institution by supporting ageing at home.
Reassure family with regular presence at home.
Intergenerational flatsharing & cohabitation
Living with a senior with a free or reduced rent in exchange for presence or help: a solidarity-based solution where everyone benefits.
Intergenerational housing, flatsharing and cohabitation
Intergenerational housing refers to housing arrangements designed to welcome several generations (students, families, older people).
Intergenerational flatsharing means offering a young person (student, apprentice, professional) a room, in exchange for presence and/or help, with one or more seniors.
Intergenerational cohabitation means living under the same roof: a senior hosts someone (for free or at a reduced rent) in return for services (presence, conversation, gardening, small tasks, etc.).
Benefits of intergenerational living
A win-win solution: more human, more reassuring, often simpler.
Benefits for everyone
Find housing more easily, often close to transport and amenities.
Pay less (or be hosted for free) thanks to services provided.
Enjoy a calm environment while keeping friendly interaction.
Keep the possibility to study or work alongside cohabitation.
Intergenerational flatsharing in practice
Intergenerational flatsharing is based on a simple idea: enabling a senior to stay at home longer, while offering a young person (student, apprentice or professional) a more affordable housing option.
In practice, a senior provides a room or part of their home in exchange for a reassuring presence and possibly small everyday services (occasional help, shopping, gardening, friendly conversations).
This model of senior–young cohabitation addresses two major needs: fighting social isolation among older people and improving access to housing for young adults, especially in high-demand areas.
Depending on the agreement, accommodation can be offered for free or with a reduced rent. Conditions are defined in a clear framework, ensuring a balanced and safe relationship for both sides.
At ToitChezMoi, intergenerational cohabitation is built on trust, transparency and respect, with practical resources to support both parties.
Home sharing for services for seniors
If you choose housing in exchange for services, we recommend signing an agreement or contract that clearly defines each person’s commitments.
The host provides a dedicated room with appropriate comfort. The guest agrees on days/hours of presence, possible services, and the split of rent/charges where applicable.
Host and guest share a common mindset: conviviality and solidarity.
Contract templates
We provide flatsharing agreements and inventory templates.
Premium
An “au pair employee” contract template is available with a Premium subscription.
Trust & secure framework
Intergenerational shared housing works best when the framework is clear and respected. We recommend formalising a written agreement (duration, presence, services, house rules, expenses) and maintaining open communication.
Respect & privacy: a dedicated room, shared rules and clear boundaries.
Safety: best practices before and during cohabitation.
Commitments: a shared ethical framework for trust.
Intergenerational shared housing: a human and accessible solution
Intergenerational shared housing allows a senior to stay at home longer while benefiting from a reassuring presence, and enables a young person to access affordable accommodation.
At ToitChezMoi, this model is based on solidarity, a clear framework and predefined house rules, ensuring a balanced and peaceful experience for both generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
What is intergenerational cohabitation? +
Intergenerational cohabitation means sharing a home between people from different generations, often a senior and a student or young professional. The aim is to provide reassuring presence, reduce isolation and make housing more accessible.
It can take several forms. In France, when it falls under intergenerational solidarity cohabitation, it follows a specific framework: a person aged 60 or over hosts someone under 30, with a modest financial contribution.
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.
When should an employment contract be considered? +
An employment contract should be considered when services become regular, organised, mandatory, time-consuming or performed under the authority of the host. This can apply to childcare, domestic work, assistance or repeated tasks.
Accommodation cannot be used to avoid employment rules. If the arrangement looks like work, ask competent bodies or a legal professional which declaration or contract is required.
What is the difference with home-for-services? +
Home-for-services focuses on an exchange between accommodation and services. Intergenerational cohabitation focuses more on social connection, presence and solidarity between generations.
The two can overlap, but caution is needed: presence or light services must be clearly defined and must not become employment, permanent care or professional assistance.