Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

Home swap tip: exchanging keys with your guests

One question that many first time home swappers have is how do they exchange keys with their home swap partners. Many home swappers choose to simply send the keys by mail. However, if you do choose to mail your keys, make sure to give plenty of time and use a trackable signed delivery or courier service so that there is a notification that the keys have been delivered. Also, if your swap partner mails you their keys, send them a message as soon as you receive the keys.  

When the home exchange is non-simultaneous, involve a second home, or if there are a few days cross over between the exchanges, many members prefer to deliver the keys in person. If this includes you, make sure that you know exactly when your exchange guests will be arriving and allow in your schedule some flexi-time in case your guests are delayed.

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Additional ways to exchange keys:

• Neighbours, family and friends. It’s always recommended to leave 1 or 2 local numbers that your home swap guests can call if they have any questions – this might be the number of a family member, a friend or a trusted neighbour. Some members also arrange to pick up the house keys on arrival from an agreed contact. This can work very well but if you choose this option make sure that your family, friend or neighbour understands the importance of being there for your guests arrival and is also contactable by phone.

• Outdoor code lock box. If you plan on taking part in regular home swaps it can be worth installing a lockbox and then provide the code to your home swap guests so that they can access the key on arrival. This is a very good option for people listing second homes / holiday homes.

• Secret hiding spot. Some members choose a secret hiding spot to place their key. If you choose this option, then make sure the hiding spot isn’t so hidden that your guests can’t find the key!

• Key exchange service. With the rise of home sharing/rentals has also seen a rise in third party service, including key exchange services. These vary from courier services that drop off the keys on arrival to services where you can choose a collection destination near your exchange property. One example of a key exchange service is Keycafe

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Interested in arranging a holiday home swap? Sign up to Home Base Holidays for free!

Wonderful 2 month home exchange on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island: photographer in front of Olympic mountain range

"We had a wonderful 2 month long home exchange with Carolyn & Mick staying in their lovely home in Victoria (Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada). We borrowed their camping gear and travelled 'up island' and 'across island' as we explored and travelled all around beautiful Vancouver Island. We explored many of the gardens in and around Victoria and followed many of Carolyn's excellent 'visiting gardens' suggestions. We explored a large number of museums and heritage centres (around 40+) and we travelled across to Vancouver City. We wish we had allowed extra time to explore Seattle (Washington) and Portland (Oregon) and even Alaska via the Inside Passage but we simply never had enough time to see it all ...there's always next time! Thank you so much to Carolyn and Mick for a wonderful swap." - Philip & Amanda (London, England)

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Highlight from the home exchange:

1. Exploring a great deal of beautiful Vancouver Island
2. Expanded our travels using Carolyn & Mick's car
3. Expanded our travels using Carolyn & Mick's camping gear

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Photos from Philip & Amanda's Vancouver Island swap

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Meet the members:

Philip & Amanda:  Members Philip & Amanda have a two bedroom central London apartment. Their home is on the 15th floor and has sensational views across Central and East London. View their home swap offer in London

 

Carolyn & Mick:  Members Carolyn & Mick have a 2 bedroom home in Victoria on the southern-most tip of Vancouver Island. View their Vancouver Island home swap offer. View their home swap offer on Vancouver Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Arrange free holiday accommodation

Rather than booking a hotel or holiday rental, arrange a home exchange through Home Base Holidays and enjoy free accommodation. 

• Search thousands of home exchange offers

Scottish Highland swap in Cathy's wonderful cottage

Highlands home swap: Cathy's traditional fishermans / crofters cottage

"We enjoyed a two weeks home swap in Cathy's fabulous Scottish Highland cottage. Cathy's home is such a lovely charming sea view cottage in a fabulous location very near to the sea. It was very well equipped and we felt really at home in the cottage. Every day of our home swap we explored more of the beautiful Scottish surroundings. After a day exploring, it was always great to come back to the cottage to relax. We also enjoyed really good meals in the lovely local pub. Cathy was very helpful during our stay, thank you so much for letting us stay and have the most beautiful holiday!" - Petra (Eckbolsheim, France)

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Highlight from the home exchange:

1. Beautiful sea views from the top floor of the cottage
2. Watching dolphins from the seashore!
3. Scotland! The nature, the landscape and the locals

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Photos from Petra & Stephane's swap:

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Meet the members:

Petra & Stephane (pictured) have a lovely apartment next to Strasbourg, France. View their home swap offer in France Cathy's wonderful traditional fishermans cottage is in the picturesque coastal village of Portmahomack. View Cathy's Highlands home swap offer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Arrange free holiday accommodation

Rather than booking a hotel or holiday rental, arrange a home exchange through Home Base Holidays and enjoy free accommodation. 

• Search thousands of home exchange offers