The whole world in your home...

This FAQ is aimed at motivated and curious Parisians who like to receive guests, are prepared to take a risk and spare no effort in providing their visitors with a pleasant stay (home made breakfast, impeccable bedding, a clean and tidy house…)

If you feel ready for this fascinating adventure… follow the guide!

Who can be a host in Paris?
Any Parisian who is prepared to welcome visitors personally for a nights’ stay in his or her main home, and can offer one or more independent and comfortable rooms and breakfast (see the official definition*).

How do I take advantage of the Paris Quality Hosts label?

You must contact the professionals who have signed the Quality Charter. They all have their own way of working. It is up to you to choose the one that suits you best. A professional inspector will come to visit your home, making sure it corresponds to the Parisian definition. Then he will promote the host under the Paris Quality Hosts label.

Can I choose to be independent?
You can, but you alone will be responsible. You will not have the benefits of the HQP charter. You can also choose to join a group of independent hosts. The HQP charter would then be signed by the president of the hosts association that you belong to, he or she being recognised as suitable to take on the quality principles of Paris Quality Hosts.

Do I have to make a preliminary declaration at the City Hall?
Yes! The new tourism amendment Art 324-3, April 4 and 5, 2006, provides a legal definition of guest rooms: "Furnished rooms in the inhabitant's home for receiving tourists, subject to payment, for one or more nights, accompanied by services". A preliminary declaration at the City Hall must be made by: "every person who offers for rent one or more guest rooms".

-Download "City Hall declaration form"
-Download "Statutory order of 3 August 2007"

Can I open a guest room if I am a tenant?
You can, providing no clause in your lease prohibits it. But it is strongly recommended to inform your landlord who will check the co-ownership rules on his side. Offering a guest room is strictly forbidden to tenants of local authority housing (the rules are the same as for sub-letting).

Is this activity compatible with my current profession?
Yes, providing you can be available to your visitors on their arrival, on their departure, to welcome them for breakfast and for moments of discussion and conversation.

What is the difference between a furnished let and a guest room?
The welcome! The host receives his visitor in person at his own home, entrusts him with a key and prepares a home made breakfast at the family table. It is therefore a very personal relationship, unlike that of the landlord of a furnished property, who rarely meets his guests. 

Will my visitors have access to the other rooms in my apartment?
It is up to you! In theory, you receive them for the night in a "guest" room and in the morning at the family table. In practice, if you want to share your kitchen and your living room with pleasant visitors, nothing prohibits you - quite the contrary.

I love cooking. Can I provide an evening meal?
You can. It is a privileged moment of conviviality and exchange. Nevertheless, offer it as an occasional service to avoid being classed as a restaurant activity.

Do I really have to share my keys with a stranger?
Yes. Your visitor will be able to wander the city, without having the obligation to tell you when he will be back. Choosing to stay in B&Bs symbolises a wish to meet other people, to understand their culture. These travellers respect people's property, and often they also receive guests in their own country. And don't forget that while you certainly give them your keys, they entrust you with their belongings...

I live alone! Is it really safe to have guests?
Yes, on condition either that you go through a professional who manages the booking for you, or, if you deal with guests directly, that you take care to record your visitors' personal details. But be aware that a professional can not be held responsible if a visitor breaks the law.

I have a futon in the guest room. May I receive visitors?
No, and the Paris Quality Host charter is quite clear on this point. It also prohibits lending them your bed or unfolding a sofa-bed in the living room. The visitor must be offered a proper room and a proper bed.

Help! I don't speak English, just a few words of German…
Be careful! A host selected by Paris Quality Hosts has to possess some basic English. Consider signing up for the municipal adult education courses in English.

Why English in particular?
The English language has become the language of travellers. In addition, our British and American friends are among the most frequent visitors to Paris and fans of "bed and breakfast", which they have popularised around the world, and which we translate as "chambres d'hôtes".

I leave early in the morning, and I sometimes return late in the evening. At what time do the visitors arrive?
Usually between 5 and 7pm, but in reality it can be at any time if they travelling from abroad. You must agree together on a precise time of arrival.

My guest room is separate from my apartment on the same floor, but breakfast will be served at the family table?
The essential criterion: welcome and sharing. If you welcome your visitors at the family table and the room is part of your main home, there is no problem.

I love Paris but I don't know it very well. How can I be an ambassador for my city?
You can offer maps, brochures (available at the Tourist Office), search for information on the www.paris.fr website, call 39 75 (Paris City Hall Infoline), recommend a weekly listings magazine… Most of all you can share your neighbourhood with them, your local shops and your personal tips. Your visitor wants to meet real Parisians!

Who's in charge of supplies?
You are! Parisians hosts must receive their visitors in a clean and welcoming home. The cleaning must be done before and after each stay; bedlinen and towels must be changed.

Bedding, clean sheets and towels… To become a host demands a certain investment!
It's a question of mentality. If you treat your visitor as a friend and you put a lot into it, your welcome will be appreciated, resulting in frequent bookings!

Will my room constantly be booked?
It depends on your area, the events and seasons (spring and autumn are the periods with the most tourists) and the extent to which you want to be a host.

So can I stop hosting at any time?
You can. You are completely free to stop your activity whenever you want. But you must take it seriously and honour all confirmed reservations.

Do I need an independent bathroom?
An independent bathroom or shower (a bath is not necessary, particularly as people are starting to favour showers to help the environment...) is preferable for guests to feel most at ease. But you can also share your own bathroom on condition that it is kept perfectly clean. Obviously, this will be reflected in the price…

Indeed, how do I decide on a price?
You are free to choose. Guided by the professionals, you calculate it according to the comfort of the rooms and the building, and the attractiveness of the area to tourists. As a rough guide, the price range is usually between €70 and €90 a room for two persons.

Is the income taxable?
Yes. You need to fill in the 2042 C tax form. But you will benefit from a 71% tax rebate on your income from your B&B. 

What kind of insurance do I need to take out?
Above all, inform your household insurance agent about your new business. He will offer you an additional "guest room" endorsement, often without a supplement, or a "claims against the tenant waiver" clause to avoid having to pursue your visitors abroad…

Can I benefit from grants to renovate my home?
The Paris Quality Host charter allows you to obtain assistance from the Ile de France region (20% of the value of the work, to a maximum of €1,400 per room), especially if you improve an existing room in order to obtain the HQP label. An additional regional grant may be awarded for work facilitating disabled access (40% of the value of the work). Important! You have to wait for the authority's agreement before starting a renovation.

Have all the Bed and Breakfast professionals in Paris signed the HQP charter?
Some have signed it, some haven't.

Is there a charge for the services of Paris Quality Host professionals?
That depends on how they operate. Refer to their visiting cards (Open a B&B!)

I live in the near suburbs. Can I obtain the Paris Quality Host label ?
You can, if you live in the three bordering departments of Paris: 92, 93, 94, and are near to a metro station. And of course your room and your welcome have to correspond to the HQP quality charter.

Useful contacts :

Paris City Hall
www.paris.fr and 39 75 (Paris City Hall Info line)

Ile de France region
DECV/STL, tourism sector secretariat
0 803 818 000 (0,15 €/min)
www.pidf.com or www.iledefrance.fr

General Department of consumption, competition and repression of fraud (DGCCRF)
www.dgccrf.fr

CDIA information and resource centre on insurance services
www.cdia.fr

Tax office
0820 32 42 52 and www.impots.gouv.fr

Public services information
www.service-public.fr and 39 39