Home exchange holiday in 2025? Check out these 15 common questions about arranging your home exchange. Ready to plan your holiday? Search home exchanges offers
1. What do I need to provide for my home swap partner?
Think about what your guests will need for a comfortable stay in your home. Make sure they have enough sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, dishes, utensils, and so on for the number of people who will be staying there.
It's also good to leave basic cleaning supplies, along with basic kitchen items such as coffee, tea, milk, salt, pepper, oil, etc. Some home swappers also leave enough basic food items for their guests to prepare a meal on arrival as they may be tired after a long trip.
2. Is my house suitable for a home swap holiday?
The vast majority of homes listed for home exchange are members' primary (and usually only) residences. So your guests will not be expecting to stay in an empty show home or generic hotel room, but will be looking forward to staying in a nice welcoming real home. Staying in a real home has so many bonuses, for example, if you're a young family and arrange an exchange with a family that have a similar aged kid(s), having childrens books and toys can be a really big plus! Just ensure your home is clean and tidy in preparation for your guests' arrival.
3. How will we get into one another’s homes?
There are various ways to exchange keys, many home exchanger send them by courier prior to the exchange dates, other exchanges install a lockbox, or leave the keys with their neighbours. We'd never recommend the leaving a key under the door mat option... but some members do! Sending by mail / courier service is usually a good option so long as you send the keys far enough ahead of time and have a backup plan in case they don’t arrive. Installing a lockbox or a smart lock can be a very good idea, especially if you plan to swap often.
4. How long does it take to arrange a home exchange?
Quite a few Home Base Holidays members agrange their home swap holidays within a few days, this can be especially the case for members living in popular tourist destinations where they may receive many tempting offers. However, most home swaps generally take a little while to plan and agree. So, give yourself plenty of time to find a member interested in visiting your location for the dates you're looking to travel. Most home swappers start the process of arranging an exchange several months ahead of when they are looking to travel. It's also important to be pro-active, so don't just wait for members to contact you... search home exchange offers and start contacting members to suggest a swap!
If you're looking for a home exchange within the next few weeks, you can check out the last minute home swap offers section.
5. Do we need to sign a formal agreement?
Make sure to discuss all details of the proposed swap before agreeing to go ahead (do so via messaging on the website, emails, phone calls and even video calls). You can also use the home swap agreement form on the Home Base Holidays website to note down all details you have discussed and agreed.
6. Who is responsible for cleaning?
It's important to leave your home clean and welcoming for your guests' arrival. Some members arrange to have a cleaner come in prior to the exchange dates, but most members simply clean their home themselves, ensuring that it's clean and decluttered.
At the end of a swap, it's important to leave your host's home as clean (if not cleaner!) than when you arrived. Prior to the exchange, both members should discuss and agree what to do at the end of the swap (what to do with rubbish/recycling, where to put used towels & bedding, etc). Some members also agree to have a cleaner come in at the end of the swap.
7. What if something breaks down while I’m away?
Before going on an exchange, it's always good to put together a welcome folder for your guests. As well as tips about things to do and see in the area, also include useful information about your home (e.g. how to turn on the heating, how to turn off the alarm, etc) and include emergency numbers (e.g. phone numbers for trusted plumbers, electricians, a local friend / neighbour, etc).
8. Should I ask my home exchange partner for a damage deposit?
Most members don't and it's extremely rare that there are any issues. However, if you and your exchange partners feel more comfortable placing deposit, ask a neutral party to hold the funds such as an Escrow service (there are several Escrow websites that will hold the funds until both parties are happy to release the deposit).
9. What should we do about home insurance?
10. Who pays the utilities and other home expenses?
Most home exchange partners continue to pay the basic expenses of running their own home while their guests are there. Some home swappers, especially if swapping for longer durations, agree to reimburse one another for the costs of overseas phone calls and energy bills. You and your partner can decide what’s best.
11. Can we also swap cars during a home exchange?
You and your exchange partner can save the cost of car rental by choosing to swap cars, and many home swappers do just that! But before agreeing to a car exchange, check with your insurance provider to confirm that your policy will cover you for both damage and liability when someone else is driving.
12. Can I bring my pet?
If you prefer to travel with your pet, you'll be pleased to hear that many home swappers are happy for you to bring you pet during the swap. But…and this is a big BUT…never bring your pet without your exchange partner’s agreement. Remember there are lots of people that are allergic to certain animals + many people also live in buildings and communities where pets are not allowed. On the Home Base Holidays website, look for members that have selected "Pets welcome" on their offer.
13. Will I find home swappers happy to look after my pets?
14. Can we swap gym and club memberships?
It’s always nice to include a gym or club membership with an exchange. But before making a promise to your home exchange partner, find out whether you’re allowed to let other people use your membership cards. Let your partners know if there will be a fee.
15. Is home swapping worth the time and effort?
The answer is a resounding YES! Not only do you get free holiday accommodation, you’ll get the space and comforts of a real home. Best of all, you get to “live like a local” and meet interesting new people, some of whom might become lifelong friends.
Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping in 2025 Enjoy free holiday accommodation by arranging a home swap. Sign up to Home Base Holidays Start swapping: browse home swap holiday offers |
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