Travel the Home Exchange Way

How Does Your Garden Grow? Home Swap Travel Tips

Experienced home swappers know the importance of including a full description of their home in their exchange offer, along with good quality up-to-date photos showing interior and exterior views. This enables people searching for a home swap holiday to really get a good feel for your home and your housekeeping style.

Gardens, for those lucky enough to have them, may not seem as important as the facilities inside your house or apartment, but when adding your property to a home exchange travel website such as Home Base Holidays (www.homebase-hols.com), make sure to include a good description of any outside space you have. Include whether it’s suitable for families with young children, and if you have garden furniture, a BBQ, a swimming pool, outside toys – anything that would be attractive to your guests. Having a quiet place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing on a hot summer’s day is such a plus and time spent in your garden could well be a highlight of the holiday for city dwellers with no gardens.

Gardens, just like homes, come in all shapes and sizes, with styles unique to the owners (part of the fun of home swapping is trying out a lifestyle different to your own!). Some homes can look like something from a fancy interior design magazine, while at the opposite end, there are homes that might look rather cluttered and dated. However, the vast majority of home swap offers are somewhere in between - they're simply nice, normal, tidy homes that are lived in rather than sterile show rooms. Gardens are the same, some might have the keenest gardeners keeping them pristine, with not a single weed allowed to spoil a perfect lawn or flower bed. Other gardens may have a patchy bit of grass with evidence of many football games and fun, or with overgrown bushes and trees blocking the sun.

Encouraging wildlife friendly wild flowers With everyone more aware of environmental issues and cost of living concerns, many of us are changing the way we use our gardens, from ditching chemicals, using peat-free compost, and growing more vegetables and fruit. One of the major shifts is in choosing wildlife, especially pollinator, friendly plants (many of which we used to see as weeds!). Traditionally, keen gardeners liked to get their lawn looking neat and trimmed with an early cut. However No Mow May, promoted by Plantlife (www.plantlife.org.uk) in the UK and other organisations worldwide, encourages leaving some grassy areas to grow until the end of May to give early wild flowers a chance to bloom. Therefore, you might want to resist the temptation to pull up those dandelions and leave them for the bees and butterflies! That scruffy patch of bedding may not look much in spring but, after a few weeks of warmer weather, it could turn into a glorious wild flower meadow and a haven for wildlife.

 

Whatever your own style of gardening, let potential home swap guests know and include photos in your home exchange offer. In this way, if having a garden is a top priority for a member, they have enough information to decide if yours will be suitable.

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Arrange a home swap holiday through Home Base Holidays Sign up to Home Base Holidays and start home swapping. Whether you're planning a staycation or thinking about a trip abroad, you'll find lots of tempting holiday offers (including country cottages, city apartment, houseboats and homes by the sea). Search home swap holidays offers

Preparing for a summer home swap holiday

Home swapping is a great way to enjoy a fabulous holiday this summer but at a fraction of the cost. Through Home Base Holidays you'll find many tempting home swap offers including country cottages, city apartments and homes by the coast. Shown below are a few tips to help you find and prepare for a summer swap.

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1. Add your home swap offer: sign up to Home Base Holidays

Sign up to Home Base Holidays so that you can add your home swap offer and then start contacting other members to discuss a swap. You'll include details about your home, location and when and where you are looking travel. 

Home Base Holidays has a two-week free trial to get you started. A full six month membership costs only £29 and there are no additional fees to pay. Sign up for free and start planning a summer swap!

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2. Be proactive: start contacting members to discuss a summer swap

The most successful home swappers are usually the most proactive. So, once you've added your home swap offer, don't just sit back and wait to be contacted; search home swap offers and spend some time sending out enquiry messages to members whose homes/locations look of interest.

Note: it's important to reply to all enquiry messages you receive even if just to say "Thank you, but the offer is not what I am looking for".

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3. Communications is key: discuss all details of the proposed swap

Communication really is key to successful home swapping and so be sure to discuss all details of the proposed home swap with the other member and don't be afraid to ask any questions that come to mind no matter how minor they seem. Thankfully, problems during a swap are extremely rare and the majority of issues reported tend to be things that could have been easily avoided with better communication (e.g. difference in house keeping styles, pet allergies, etc). Even once your swap has been agreed, stay in contact with your swap partner regularly in the lead up to your travel dates.

Schedule a phone / Skype call with the member you're planning a swap with - this can provide reassurance and give you a further chance to discuss details of the proposed swap.

 

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4. Preparing your home: clean and declutter

Home Base Holidays members understand that they are staying in a real home and not a show house but do make time to thoroughly clean and declutter your home prior to your guests' arrival so that your home is nice and welcoming. Ensure that your guests have enough sets of clean towels and sheets for their stay (prior to the swap, discuss and agree what to do with dirty towels and bedding). Clear some space in the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen so that your guests can unpack their luggage and have space to put away food during their stay.

Think about safety: Do you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fitted? Also, read our Covid cleaning guidelines.

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5. Welcome pack: put together a folder of useful information

Most Home Base Holidays members create a welcome pack for their guests' arrival. Include in your welcome pack information about local attractions and recommended restaurants, nearby transport, useful information about your home (e.g. how to turn on/off the alarm, etc), useful phone numbers (e.g. taxi firms) and emergency contact details (e.g. a friend/neighbour's number, an emergency plumber, etc).

This photo shows the Welcome pack and tourist information available to guests staying in Mario and Lorraine's home in Malta (member HE33093).  View their Home Base Holidays offer

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6. Insurance: contact your home insurance provider

Before agreeing a home swap, contact your home insurance company to confirm that your home is covered during the period of the home exchange. Most insurance companies will agree that your home is more secure occupied than if left empty as with most traditional holidays. However, do contact us if you have any difficulties agreeing cover for the period of your home swap.

Car swap? If you have also agreed to exchange cars it is essential to contact your car insurance company to ensure that your exchange guests will be covered on your insurance.

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Start planning a summer swap Sign up to Home Base Holidays two-week free trial or select a full membership (6-month membership is just £29 and 1-year at £49). Search the latest home swap holiday offers

Our first home swap: a wonderful holiday in the Cotswolds

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Staycation swap: weekend markets & walks in the Cotswolds "It was our first home swap holiday and we really couldn't have wished for a better experience. All our communications with our home swap partners, Anna and Tom, went so smoothly and they looked after our house perfectly. Their home is beautiful and is in such a lovely location with wonderful views over Stroud & the Cotswolds. It was easy to walk into town, which has a great offering of shops, places to eat and drink coffee. There was a fabulous farmers market on Saturdays and lots of lovely independent shops to explore. Oh, and we found the residents of Stroud to be so nice and friendly! Anna and Tom's home was the perfect base to explore the beautiful Cotswolds countryside. We enjoyed lovely walks along the canal and hikes up into the hills. We had plans to visit Bristol, Bath and Oxford, but the local area offered everything we could want without having to go far. It made for a very relaxing two weeks of walking and exploring. I'd highly recommend Anna and Tom and would love to exchange with them again!" - Carol & Steve (Cheshire, England)

Highlights from the home swap: Beautiful home in Stroud with fabulous views Friendly easy-going home exchangers - everything went so smoothly We loved Stroud and its very friendly people

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Photos from Carol & Steve's holiday in Stroud

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View the members' home swap offers:

Cheshire, England (HE40409) Carol & Steve's lovely 3-bed character cottage with a beautiful courtyard garden. View home exchange offer	Stroud, England (HE39571) Anna & Tom's Victorian townhouse with fantastic views over Stroud and the Cotswolds. View home exchange offer

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Home Base Holidays: join for free and start home swapping Sign up to Home Base Holidays two-week free trial or select a full membership (6-month membership is just £29 and 1-year at £49). Home swap guarantee: second year free if you do not arrange a swap during your membership.

Climate change & travel: benefits of home swapping

We are very aware that our home swap community encourages people to travel and so, as a responsible business, Home Base Holidays always urges members to use the service thoughtfully, limiting air travel especially, to drastically reduce the effects of travel on global warming. The heat dome that hovered over the vast area of western Canada and much of the USA recently, bringing dangerously high temperatures followed by hundreds of forest fires, should be a wake-up call. Reducing the effects of climate change can no longer be delayed by governments whatever the cost, and we must all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint.

‘Tourism is not just a victim of global warming - it also contributes to the problem’                                                                                              - Sustainable Travel International

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Many Home Base Holidays members are discovering the pleasures of discovering destinations closer to home by arranging home swap staycations. Home swappers have always tended to prefer unique experiences (not merely sitting on a beach for two weeks every year!), whether it be swapping a rural home for a flat in the city to visit museums and the theatre or, as city dwellers, seeking out rural locations to enjoy fresh air, quiet open spaces, country walks and pubs. Although cost savings are a factor for those on a tight budget in choosing home exchange over expensive hotel rooms and holiday rentals, this is certainly not the only reason that swapping homes has become increasingly popular over the last few years (Home Base Holidays has been operating for nearly 40 years and were pioneers in promoting the advantages of home swap holidays).

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How home swapping can reduce your travel impact on the environment:

1. Use your home as a resource when it would otherwise be left empty while you are away
2. Stay in a real home from home rather than contribute to the development of more hotels
3. There are no rental costs so stay longer and travel less often, especially to long-haul destinations
4. Retired or working from home? Swap homes for longer for a change of scene or to visit family
5. Look for homes in areas where a car is not needed and, if possible, travel there by train
6. Wash bedding and towels as needed, not every day as happens in many hotels
7. Support small businesses by shopping locally for food, crafts and regional specialties
8. Swaps closer to home are easier to arrange than international exchanges without the need for air travel.

"Actually, there are also deeper layers of thought to the home exchange idea. When you think about global waste and conservation, the idea of combining resources with other people on the globe has more merits than those you experience on a personal level. Think of all the hotel sheets and towels that are washed every day; of the low-paid hotel workers (often foreigners); of the huge and wasteful industry that has grown around the needs of people who want to experience a holiday in a different country."  - Ruti Singer (from 'Home Away From Home')

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Add 'local to you' options to your home swap offer: As well as giving details of local attractions, provide information on getting there by public transport If you have bikes you could share, give details and also whether there are safe bike lanes in your area and cycling/walking trails If there is little public transport in your area and you offer to swap cars, is yours electric and are there convenient charging points nearby? Do you have good local food markets? Many people, switching to a more plant-based diet, would love to buy fruit, vegetables and baked goods from local sellers Are there cafes and restaurants close by offering a variety of vegetarian options (much more appealing than fast-food chains)? Do you have memberships to local sports or arts clubs that you could share? Even as Covid-19 restrictions ease, swap guests will be re-assured by knowing the steps you will take to leave your home clean and safe. View the Cleaning tips for holiday home swaps during COVID-19

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Join Home Base Holidays - arrange a home swap holiday Sign up to the Home Base Holidays 2-week free trial and start planning a home swap holiday. Whether you're searching for a staycation accommodation or looking for a trip abroad, you'll find lots of tempting exchange offers. Search home exchange holiday offers

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Useful Resources: websites and articles

• Sustainable Travel International
• Nature: Rethinking travel in a post-pandemic world
• David Suzuki Foundation: Air travel and climate change
• Friends of the Earth: Responsible travel – eco tips for getting around
• DW Made for Minds: Climate change - Is eco guilt changing the way we travel?

12 Common Home Exchange Mistakes to Avoid

Guest blog post: Janis Fisher Chan is a writer, editor and passionate traveller who loves home exchanging. She recently shuttered her informational website, Travel on the House, where this post originally appeared. If you love travel, Janis encourages you to try home swapping!

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Thinking about doing a home exchange? It’s a great way to travel. You’ll save money on lodging and food, be more comfortable, and get a chance to see how other people live. But doing a home exchange can be a little scary, and, truthfully, it’s not always successful. Avoid these common home exchange mistakes so you can make sure your experience will be what you want it to be.

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1. Not knowing whether you’re allowed to do it

Do you belong to a Homeowner’s Association? Is your home part of a Coop? Are you a tenant? If the answer to any of these questions is, “Yes,” find out whether you’re allowed to have strangers stay in your home while you’re not there. Although home exchanging isn’t typically subject to the same kinds of prohibitions and limitations as short-term rentals, it’s a good idea to check.

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2. Not making sure your insurance remains in effect

What if a guest slips on the front walk or there’s a fire while you’re away? My understanding is that most homeowner’s policies remain in effect when an exchange partner is living in your home. (That’s not necessarily true for short-term rentals.) But there are exceptions. To make sure you’ll be covered for damage and liability, read your policy exclusions carefully. Even better, have a chat with your insurance agent.

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3. Not getting to know your home exchange partner

Home exchanging is generally accepted as a very safe way to reduce the costs of travel while keeping your home secure while you’re away. The vast majority of people are honest and responsible. You can believe what they say about themselves and their home, and you can trust them to take good care of your place. Still, the more you know about the people you welcome into your home, the less chance you’ll encounter unpleasant surprises. Look people up on social media. Ask for documents, such as drivers’ licenses or passports. Question any inconsistencies between what they tell you and what you’ve read about them or their home.

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4. Not sharing expectations

The majority of home exchange problems result from poor communication. Talk with exchange partners on the phone or via Skype so you can both ask questions about what’s important to you. Ask for specifics: How far is the home to the beach (or event site, or downtown center)? Does “20 minutes away” mean a 20-minute walk, a 20-minute drive, or a 20-minute bus ride? Do “laundry facilities” mean a washer and dryer right in the home or a coin laundry in the building basement? Is the Internet connection high-speed wireless or broadband? Is the bedroom a separate room with a door or a windowless alcove with a curtain? What is in included in the “fully equipped kitchen?”

Encourage your exchange partners’ questions and answer them honestly: Yes, the stairs are steep; the view of the lake is partially obstructed by trees; there is no smoking and no air conditioning; the street can get noisy at night. Explain anything you’d like guests to do: take in the mail, water the plants, park only in the assigned spot. The more you and your exchange partner know about one another’s homes, the less likely it is that one or both of you will be disappointed.

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5. Not having a written agreement

“He said…she said…” It’s all too easy for people to misunderstand one another by making assumptions or simply forgetting what was said in a casual conversation or one casual email in a long email stream. Misunderstandings can torpedo an otherwise successful home exchange. A written agreement signed by both parties helps ensure that both you and your exchange partners have the same understanding of arrival and departure dates, maximum number of people who will stay in the exchange home, prohibitions (no smoking), critical expectations (no loud TV or music after 10 pm.), and so on.

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6. Not arranging for a local contact person

Things happen while you’re away: the washer overflows, the Internet stops working, guests lose their keys. It’s very hard to deal with problems if you’re a continent away. Make sure guests have someone to call if something goes wrong.

Notify your neighbors: It’s understandable that your neighbors might feel uncomfortable or suspicious if they notice strangers in the building or on the street. It’s good practice to let neighbors know that people will be staying in your home while you’re away. Give them your contact information and ask them to get in touch if there are any problems. It’s also a good idea to give close neighbors your guests’ names and phone number in case of an emergency.

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7. Not fixing things that could be dangerous

Maybe you know to be very careful when you step on the third tread of the back stairs because it’s been loose for years. But your guests don’t know about it, and everyone will be unhappy (or worse) if they get hurt. Take a tour around your home, inside and out, and look for things that must be fixed before your guests arrive. Replace smoke alarm batteries, tack down floppy carpets, and repair broken window frames. You and your guests – not to mention your insurance company – will be glad you did.

Check out our checklist of how to prepare your home for a swap

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8. Not protecting valuables and privacy

Most of us have things we want to keep safe from damage and information we want to keep to ourselves. But it’s not fair to expect guests to treat every delicate object in your home as if it were their own, and some people can’t resist the temptation to peek at personal papers left lying around. For everyone’s peace of mind, put away your grandmother’s quilt, your tax returns, and anything else you really care about.

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9. Not leaving a home swap “user guide”

When you stay in someone else’s home, it can be confusing to figure out how everything works. Help guests out by providing clear instructions that tell them how to do such things as adjust the heat or air conditioning, where to put the garbage, how to use the TV, how to find the circuit breakers, and how to reset the modem if the Internet goes out. Mention important “quirks,” such as a toilet that easily overflows. Tell guests what you want them to do when they leave. Include your home’s rules, such as no smoking, shoes off at the door, no parking in other residents’ spaces, or no loud music.

Check out our 3 steps for creating a user guide for your home swap guests

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10. Not leaving the home clean and tidy

Your exchange partner won’t expect a hotel-perfect home. But no one wants to stay in a dump. Clear away the clutter, such as almost-empty shampoo bottles and piles of unread newspapers. Store some of your shoes. clothes, and toiletries in plastic boxes to make room for guests’ things. Then clean the home thoroughly before your guests arrive.

Check our Tips on how to clean and declutter your home before home swapping

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11. Not checking in with guests after they arrive

It’s considerate to drop your guests a quick text or email a day or two after they’ve arrived to see whether they have questions and wish them a good stay. It won’t take much time and your guests will appreciate it, especially if they can’t find the extra blankets or figure out how to light the stove.

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12. Not following up with guests after you get home

Soon after the exchange is over, drop your guests a quick note saying how much you enjoyed their home (if you did) and thanking them for taking such good care of yours (if they did). If all went well, ask them to post a review on your listing site and do the same for them. If it didn’t, think about what you learned from the experience so you can do better the next time.

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Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping Looking for a much needed break? Arrange free holiday accommodation by choosing to swap homes rather than book hotels or holiday rentals. View the latest home exchange vacation offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays.

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Home swap holiday in Sri Lanka for daughter's wedding

Sally & Jerry's wonderful colonial style bungalow in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy, Sri Lanka: home swap holiday & magical wedding day! "After spending her early years in Sri Lanka, our daughter wanted to have her wedding day on this most beautiful of islands. It was a big ask, can we arrange a home swap staying in Sally and Jerry's amazing home in Kandy, Sri Lanka ...oh, and can we have a wedding there too? Our home swap hosts, Sally and Jerry, were just so fantastic and helped us have the most magical day. Their home is stunning; it's set in the middle of a tea estate with spectacular views, a large garden with swimming pool, stream, lawns and fruit trees - it was the most perfect wedding venue. Jerry advised us on the process and organised the registrar and witnesses. Their home is staffed by a lovely couple, Martin and Rani. Rani and her team created a fabulous Sri Lankan banquet. Sally did the wedding cake and Tim and Luna, two work away volunteers, were trumps at decorating and helping prep for the big day. Oh, and in addition to the beautiful wedding, we all had such a wonderful holiday on what we think is the most magical of islands on this planet. We are really looking forward to hosting Sally, Jerry and their family here in our cottage in Shropshire. I can't thank them enough for their generosity and everything they did to help fulfill our daughter's wedding wish." - Helena & Mike (Shropshire, England)

Highlights from the swap: Sally and Jerry's warmth kindness and generosity Rani's wonderful cooking and Martin's helpfulness The magical location in Kandy, Sri Lanka

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Wedding home swap in Kandy, Sri Lanka

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View their home swap offers on Home Base Holidays:

Shropshire, England (HE34705) We're a semi retired couple and have been exchanging since 2013 and have had some amazing swaps, we think this works really well. We enjoy outdoors, music, good food and conversation. We love to travel and are keen to see what we can of our planet. View Helena & Mike's home swap offer	Kandy, Sri Lanka (HE27559) We're an English couple but Sally was brought up in Sri Lanka in a tea planting family. We brought up a large family and now have several grandchildren - we love kids. We moved from the UK to live at Jungle Tide in 2015. Jungle Tide is especially good for families and for older adventurers. View Sally & Jerry's home swap offer

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Home Base Holidays: sign up and start planning your home swap holidays Sign up to Home Base Holidays two-week free trial or select a full membership (starting at just £29). Search home exchange holiday offers

Pet friendly breaks? Arrange a home exchange holiday

Home swapping can be an ideal holiday option for pet owners

To many pet owners the thought of leaving their dog or cat in a kennel or cattery while they go on holiday is enough to make them give up the idea of going away! So, rather than leaving your pet behind, why not arrange a home swap and take your pets on holiday with you? Home swapping can be an excellent option for pet owners, but make sure to plan well in advance before setting off with your beloved pet.

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Find pet friendly accommodation

You'll be pleased to hear that there are plenty of pet-friendly home swap holiday offers. Many home owners have pets themselves and will be very happy for you to bring your own pet during the exchange. Home Base Holidays, a home swap club based in the UK, has search options so that you can easily find pet-friendly home swap holiday offers. 

 

However, when planning your holiday, it’s very important to make sure to discuss all details with your home swap hosts and get their full approval for your pet to stay in their home.

Pet allergies? Even if you are not taking your pet with you, make sure to inform any prospective home swap guests if you have pets – your pet's fur might be a big no no for anyone with allergies.

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Be prepared for the journey

If you are crossing borders, then make sure to do research to find out what paperwork and certificates are required for your pet. Often this can include: a health & rabies certificate, vaccination history and sometimes; proof of ownership. You will also need an airline-approved pet carrier if you need to catch a flight to your destination.

 

• Check out the UK Government's guidelines on taking your pet overseas

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Damage prevention

If you do plan on taking your pet with you on a home swap holiday, never forget that you are staying in someone’s home and so make sure that you leave the home in as good a condition (or even better!) than when you arrived. Make sure that your pet is well behaved before choosing to swap homes. However, if your pet does have an accident, make clean it up right away and, if needed, pay for professional cleaning / cover any damages.

 

Tip: Remember to take your poop scoop with you – you don’t want you and your pooch getting a bad name in the neighbourhood!

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Will people look after my pet during a home swap?

Many home swappers are more than happy to look after each other's pets during their stay. This can be such a welcome benefit of home swapping as your pets can happily stay in their own home rather than having the stress and expense of taking them to stay in a kennel or cattery. Pet care during a home swap usually means caring for pets such as cats, dogs, fish or other small animals ...but we've even seen people looking after alpacas during a home swap holiday! It's also not uncommon to see home swappers looking after their host's chickens during their stay ...freshly laid eggs for breakfast sounds like a nice added bonus.

House plants & gardens: It's not just pets! It's always sad to come home from a holiday to find your house-plants or garden flowers have perished; however, many home exchangers will be more than happy to give your plants some water while you're away.

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A few pet-friendly home swap holiday offers:

Andalucia, Spain	Insch, Scotland	Lake District, England	Provence, France

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Home Base Holidays: join for free and start home swapping Sign up to Home Base Holidays two-week free trial or select a full home swap membership (6-month membership is just £29 and 1-year at £49). Home swap guarantee: second year free if you do not arrange a swap during your membership.