94-Year-Old Man Seeks Tenant for Companionship in Goms Apartment

A 94-year-old woman in Goms, Switzerland, has listed a rental apartment with the specific requirement that the tenant provide her with companionship, according to reporting by 20 Minuten. The arrangement seeks to combine a standard residential lease with social interaction to combat isolation for the elderly homeowner.

The listing for the “Einliegerwohnung” (granny flat or accessory dwelling unit) specifies that the prospective tenant should be someone willing to spend time with the owner. This unconventional requirement transforms a typical real estate transaction into a social contract aimed at improving the quality of life for the senior resident.

The property is located in the Goms region, a valley in the Swiss Alps known for its remote geography and traditional village structures. According to 20 Minuten, the homeowner is looking for a tenant who can offer more than just rent payments, emphasizing the need for human connection and presence within the home.

While the specific financial terms of the lease were not detailed in the initial reports, the listing highlights a growing trend in European housing where “intergenerational living” or “social leasing” is used to address the loneliness epidemic among the elderly. In these models, reduced rent is often exchanged for a commitment to provide a set number of hours of company or light assistance.

The Goms region’s demographic challenges often mirror those of other alpine areas, where younger populations migrate to urban centers, leaving elderly residents in large, ancestral homes with limited daily social contact. This specific listing serves as a practical attempt to bridge that gap through a formal rental agreement.