Swwitch: Student Subleasing Finally Becomes Legal
In response to the surge in rental prices and the shortage of student housing, a French startup has decided to formalize a practice that, until now, was tolerated but risky: subletting. Launched in 2021, Swwitch offers a platform that legally secures transactions and makes life easier for young tenants. Already boasting 50,000 users, it is drawing the attention of investors and local authorities as the student housing crisis reaches a critical point.
Addressing a Widespread Yet Informal Practice
Subletting is not a marginal phenomenon. According to an internal survey, nearly one in three students has either lent or rented out their accommodation to someone else, often during an internship abroad or a visit home. However, this practice can lead to legal risks, such as lease termination, disputes with the landlord, and conflicts with rental agencies.
This is the gap that Swwitch has decided to fill. The startup connects primary tenants with potential subtenants through an app. It takes care of obtaining the landlord’s approval, issuing a contract compliant with the 1989 law, and managing payments via a secure solution. The result: an informal practice is transformed into a legal, regulated service.
"We want students to be able to optimize their housing budget without breaking the law, » explains Louis Perdriau, co-founder of Swwitch. « Subletting is already widespread, but it needs to be secure to reassure all parties involved."
Addressing the Student Housing Crisis
Swwitch's success is also due to the current climate. By the start of the 2025 school year, the cost of student housing has reached a record level, with an average increase of 9% in one year according to the Unef. In some university towns, rents for a studio exceed €800, a threshold that is hard to sustain for young people with modest incomes.
The start-up acts as a buffer, allowing students who need to be away for several months (for internships or Erasmus programs) to make their housing profitable, while offering a temporary solution to those struggling to find a room.
Public authorities are watching the initiative with interest. Several cities, including Lyon and Nantes, have partnered with the platform to streamline rental offerings and prevent precarious situations. Initially reluctant, property owners are beginning to see the benefits as well: instead of an empty apartment, they are assured a steady rent, validated by a regulated contract.
A Startup Taking Off
Since its launch, Swwitch claims 50,000 active users and over 10,000 approved sublets. It takes a commission on each transaction, ensuring a clear and scalable business model.
In 2025, it completed a 3 million euro funding round led by real estate sector business angels. The goal: to strengthen technology, develop an integrated insurance offering, and expand to new college towns. “We aim for 200,000 users within three years,” states Perdriau.
The startup is also considering adapting its service for other vulnerable housing groups: young professionals, apprentices, or temporary workers. Ultimately, it could become a leading platform for legal subletting in France, a largely untapped market.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
