Home swapping is a hot topic these days. That’s not surprising. Arranging a home swap holiday makes travel far more affordable than staying in a hotel.
You won’t have any accommodation costs when you swap your home for someone else’s. With a kitchen, you won’t have to eat out all the time. You’ll have more space to spread out, which is especially important if you have kids. Living in a home instead of a hotel takes you beyond the typical tourist experience of a new place.
If the idea of home swapping sounds good to you but you’ve never done one, you probably have lots of questions. Shown below are 20 home swap holiday FAQs.
1. Is home swapping safe?
You’ve probably read horror stories about short-term rentals: guests trashing a home, stealing their hosts’ property, or refusing to leave. But people who have been swapping homes for a long time generally agree that home exchanging is very safe. No money changes hands, so home swapping doesn’t attract the scammers who prey on short-term rental hosts. Home swap partners have an incentive to take care of one another’s property, knowing that the other people will be staying in their home as well.
The key to a safe home swapping is taking the time to do it right. Successful home exchanges are grounded in the trust that comes from excellent communication, honesty, and careful screening.
2. Does it cost anything to do a home swap?
Home swap sites such as Home Base Holidays charge a small fee. But your holiday accommodation will be free, which is one of the big pluses of choosing to swap homes.
3. How do I know whether home swap is right for me?
Handing your home over to strangers isn’t for everyone. Think carefully about how you feel about strangers sleeping in your bed, using your shower, and lounging on your sofa. If the very idea makes you uneasy, maybe find another way to travel.
Even if you’re comfortable with welcoming people into your home, consider whether you want to stay in someone else’s. Is your idea of a great trip taking a cruise, enjoying the luxury of a 5-star resort, or taking a safari in Africa? Think about stretching your travel budget by hosting a short-term rental instead.
4. What about my Housing Association or Co-op Board? My landlord?
Some housing associations and Co-ops have rules that prohibit having people stay in your home while you’re not there, so check your documents carefully. If you’re a renter, read your lease or talk to your landlord. The benefits of home swaps are not worth getting evicted.
5. What kinds of people do exchanges?
The short answer is, “all kinds.” People of all ages and from nearly all countries seek home swaps for many reasons: to visit a new place, to attend a special event such as a wedding, to visit family or friends, for business purposes (many people can work from 'home' anywhere with good internet access). In fact, one thing we love about home exchanges is the chance to interact with all kinds of people from all over the world.
6. Why would anyone want to come to our home?
It’s a good bet that there are lots of potential exchangers for your home, no matter where you live or what type of home you have. Of course, you are likely to get more home swap proposals if you live in a popular city such as London, Paris or New York or by the seaside. But you’ll undoubtedly hear from people who want or need to come to your area for a specific reason, as well as from people who are looking for an interesting new place to explore.
7. How do I find a home exchange partner?
You’ll need to sign up on a home swap website such as Home Base Holidays. Once you’ve listed your home, you can search for potential exchanges in the places you want to visit, and people who are interested in arranging an exchange in your area can contact you.
8. How does it work? Do my home swap partners stay in my home while I stay in theirs?
There are different types of home exchanges, including:
- Simultaneous exchange: You and your exchange partner stay in one another’s homes at the same time.
- Non-simultaneous exchange: Your exchange partner stays in your home while you’re away, but you have a choice of times in which to use your exchange partner’s home (popular with people swapping second homes).
- Hospitality exchange: You and your exchange partners take turns hosting one another in your respective homes.
9. What if someone proposes a home swap that doesn’t interest me?
You might get lots of home swap proposals before getting one that appeals to you. It’s fine to decline with a friendly, polite message: “Thanks, but we can’t do an exchange at that time.”
10. Do we need a formal agreement?
Home swap partners often rely on a virtual handshake (in an email message or a phone call) to firm up the terms of the exchange such as dates, what each party has agreed to do and provide, key house rules, and cancellation options. But even a simple written agreement describing those terms and signed by both parties can help prevent misunderstandings and problems down the line. On the Home Base Holidays website you can use their online swap agreement form.
11. Who pays the home expenses?
Most homeowners continue to pay their own bills for utilities and other expenses during an exchange. If you’re planning a longer term home swap, such as 3+ months, it’s good to discuss and agree who will cover the home expenses during the exchange.
12. Will my homeowners’ insurance remain in effect?
Chances are it will, but you’ll need to check with your insurance agent to avoid nasty surprises if there’s a fire or your exchange partner slips on the stairs.
| Most insurers are happy to agree cover at no extra cost but there are also several specialist house sharing insurance providers that provide very reasonably priced top up cover that sit alongside your main insurance policy (you just pay for the days you are swapping). Contact us for more information |
13. What do I do with my car during the exchange?
Many home exchangers agree to let their partner use their car – another way that home swapping can save you money! But check with your insurance company first.
14. What about my pets?
Your exchange partner might be willing to care for your well-behaved pet (if your pet agrees to be cared for). If so, discuss this in detail prior to the exchange and leave very clear instructions about feeding and care.
Check out our Pet friendly breaks? Arrange a home exchange holiday blog post.
15. What about my neighbours?
Everybody’s situation is different, but it can be a good idea to let your neighbours know when short-term or exchange guests will be staying.
16. How will guests know how things work?
Leave guests a “user guide” with instructions for accessing the Internet, turning on the heat, using the appliances and electronics, and taking out the garbage. Include information about other things they need to know, such as a toilet that backs up easily or where to find the circuit breakers. Also include a reminder of your contact details and any emergency numbers.
17. What if something breaks down or guests have problems while we’re away?
Things happen. For your guests’ comfort and your peace of mind, provide contact information for someone who can handle problems if the washer goes on the blitz or they lose their keys.
18. What do I have to do to get my house ready for my exchange partners?
Exchange partners expect your home to be in relatively good condition, furnished with what they need for everyday living, and, most importantly, clean! At a minimum, set aside time to fix anything that could be dangerous (like a broken stair tread). Clear away clutter so your exchange partners have room to put things down. Make room for guests’ things in your closets, kitchen and in bathrooms.
Check out First home swap holiday: preparing for your guests arrival blog post.
19. How do we exchange keys?
The key exchange is often the trickiest part of the home exchange process. Options include:
- Mailing / courier your keys (in an envelope that does not include the address of your home).
- Installing a lockbox and giving your home exchange partner the code.
- Leaving the key with a trusted relative, friend, or neighbour.
Check out our Exchanging keys before a home swap holiday blog post.
20. What if one of us needs to cancel at the last minute?
An essential part of your home exchange agreement is to spell out what happens in case one partner has to cancel. Is the person who cancels responsible for finding the other partner a place to stay? Will you each be responsible for your own backup plans? Deciding what will happen ahead of time helps to keep home exchange partners from getting stranded if there’s an emergency cancellation.
