The house was small so be prepared to live closely with Fred during your stay. But the bedroom was a good size and there is enough room to store your things, and Fred is very accomodating with his space. The area is great - Rue de la Roquette is busy at night so it feels pretty safe, and there are lots of cafes, bars and take away food spots. If you like walking, it is probably 2 km to the centre of town, but the Bastille metro station is also quite close.
Fred is a great host who is enthusiastic about Paris and the area and will give you many instructions and tips. He introduced me to friends and to some locals and we had a few beers in the bar next door or in the backyard. He speaks very good English and has varied interests. Youpie is also a beautiful cat and will sometimes crawl into bed with you. If you are into cats, you will love Youpie.