Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

Q&A: How much does a home exchange holiday cost?

Q: I'm looking to arrange a home swap holiday later in the year. How much does it cost to join Home Base Holidays and are there any additional costs involved when a home swap has been agreed? i.e. any costs to yourselves or to the exchange home owners. Many thanks.

- Anne (Devon, England)

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A: The cost of Home Base Holidays membership is just £29 for six months or £49 for a full one year membership. There are no additional fees when you agree a swap (or even more than one swap!) and so the only other costs will be the cost of your travel and whatever you choose to spend while on your holiday. Some members choose to use additional services such as hiring a cleaner or using a key exchange service, but these are optional and most members do not require these services.

So, by swapping homes you cut out the cost of accommodation (hotels, holiday rentals, B&Bs, etc) meaning that your holiday costs are often a fraction of that of a traditional holiday. You also have full use of a kitchen, ideal for preparing breakfasts or a packed lunch for a day out exploring.

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" I arranged a home swap through the London based website, Home Base Holidays. I had such a wonderful time in London and saved even more money by preparing a few meals at 'home' (I liked shopping in the local markets and little independent stores). The cost savings meant I could afford to splurge on a few nice meals out, a Thames river boat tour and a West End theatre show..."   - Arthur

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Note: it's important to contact your home insurance provider prior to agreeing a home swap to check your policy will cover the period that your non-paying guests will be staying in your home. Contact us if you have any problems agreeing cover.

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A few recent home swap offers to tempt you...

• Search home exchange holiday offers

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Add your home: start planning a home swap holiday Join Home Base Holidays - either select a two-week free trial or a full membership (6-month membership is just £29 and 1-year at £49). Click here to start swapping Home swap guarantee: second year free if you do not arrange a home swap holiday.

Benefits of a summer house swap staycation

Looking ahead to a post-lockdown getaway? Staycations (holidays within your own country) will again be a very popular option this summer as people hold off on overseas travel. We've started to see many of the UK's hotels, campsites and rentals booking up for the summer months and often at far higher prices than in previous years (cost of staycation accommodation up by an average of 35% compared to last year). The good news is that there are lots of very tempting home exchange holiday offers available for this summer through Home Base Holidays.

Shown below are some of the benefits of arranging a summer home exchange staycation.

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Cost savings: free holiday accommodation

By choosing to arrange a home swap rather than booking a hotel or rental, you are enjoying free accommodation and can cut the cost of your getaways by over 90%. At a time when many of us are worried about finances, it's great to still enjoy a wonderful holiday but at a fraction of the cost.

No deposits or booking fees: home swaps are private agreements between the two members. Therefore, there are no deposits or booking fees to pay (this can be very welcome at a time where travel restrictions continue to change).

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Home from home: safety and convenience

By arranging a home swap holiday, you enjoy your own home from home 'bubble'. This can be so reassuring as it helps to avoid more crowded locations that you would typically find if staying in a hotel or rental with a big turnaround of guests.

When swapping homes, you are staying in a real home and so have full use of the facilities that a home offers (kitchen, laundry, garden, kids’ toys, etc). This gives you options that you would never have when staying in a hotel e.g. if a family are not yet comfortable eating out in cafes, restaurants or hotel breakfast bars, they can choose to make some or all of their meals in their home swap home (this is also an excellent additional cost saving).

Cleaning guidelines: we’ve published Covid-19 cleaning guidelines for members to follow before and at the end of a home swap.

 

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Home insurance: confirm cover before swapping

Home swaps are private agreements between the members. Here at Home Base Holidays we've been running our home swap service for over 35 years and in that time it's extremely rare to hear of any problems during a swap. However, it's still important to contact your home insurance company prior to a swap to confirm cover for the period your guest will be staying in your home (we can direct members to well-priced top-up insurance cover for home swapping, contact us for details).

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Home Base Holidays: sign up for free and start 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). >> Search the latest home exchange holiday offers  Home swap guarantee: if you don't arrange a swap we will renew your membership free of charge.

15 most popular home swap blog posts of the last year

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on posts published over the past 12 months. We aim to publish a variety of short posts of interest to both experienced home swappers and those new to the idea of home swapping who often have a number of questions before pursuing their first home exchanges.

Looking over the posts that have had most views in 2018, there are three themes that predominate – ‘how to’ posts are the most popular, followed by members’ home experience stories and thirdly, particular slants on home swapping by our guest posters.

We love to publish both Home Base Holidays members’ contributions (three extra free months are added to membership periods so it’s well worth sending in your short articles on any aspects of your home exchange experiences you feel will be of interest to others) and relevant posts by other travel bloggers (send us your ideas for guest posts and, if published, you will receive publicity for your own blog or travel site and a free six month membership to Home Base Holidays).

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The 15 most popular home swap blog posts in 2018:

1. From an ale house to a youth hostel: unusual homes offered for home swaps

Ale House: Maldon, Essex, England - A quaint & charming 17th century timber framed holiday cottage, situated in the heart of the Essex village of Goldhanger. The property was originally an Ale House in the village well known for smuggling. The renovation has retained many original historic features. View this blog post

2. How to maximise your success at home swapping

Guest post by Marguerite Payen, an experienced home exchanger from Harrogate, Yorkshire

"Firstly, when I received a message from another home exchanger, I decided to copy their style in my messaging... I quickly realised that, nine times out of ten, the best style was chatty and relaxed but always clear regarding dates and what is 'on offer' etc. There was no need of formality, no reason to be shy about asking questions, or, stating in a friendly way, any concerns that I had." View this blog post

3. Five tips: to make your home swap photos stand out

Light, light, and more light! There’s not much worse than dingy dreary photos. So, choose a time of day when the light shines into your home. Be sure to open up any blinds or shades and, if needed, turn on any additional lighting sources to show your space at it best. View this blog post

4. Preparing your home for a home swap holiday

Clean and de-clutter. Prior to your home swap, make sure you give your home a good clean so that its ready and welcoming for your guests. Clear space in your fridge and also make room in your wardrobe so that there is space for your guests to hang their clothes. Leave plenty of clean towels and extra bedding. View this blog post

5. Checklist: preparing for a home swap vacation

Welcome pack: make a welcome pack for your home swap guests: include information about local attractions and recommended restaurants, nearby transport, useful information about your home (e.g. how to turn on/off the alarm), useful phone numbers (e.g. taxi firms) and emergency contact details (e.g. a friend/neighbours number, an emergency plumber, etc). View this blog post

6. Q&A: Arranging a long term home swap?

When arranging a long term home swap, you need to give yourself plenty of time to find a suitable match and then discuss with them all details of the exchange so that you're both happy with the arrangements. As you'll be staying in each other’s homes for a lengthy period, you'll need to agree on how to pay for utility bills during your stay. View this blog post

7. Tips for Helpful Conversations with Your Home Exchange Partners

Guest post by Janis Fisher Chan, a writer, editor, and passionate traveller who recently launched Travel on the House to provide would-be home exchangers and short-term rental hosts with information, tips, and advice. 

"After reading the home exchange listing and the other people’s profile carefully, think about what questions you’d like to ask and what you want to be sure the other people know about your home.  A few written notes will help make sure you cover everything that’s important to you." View this blog post

8. How can I be sure homes offered for home exchange are as nice as described?

It can give reassurance to a first-time home swapper to look for members who have had previous exchanges to ask them (if they are interested in your offer) to put you in touch with members they have swapped with; you will then be able to ask these members any questions you have about the home and area. View this blog post 

9. 100+ home swaps over 40 years - is this a record?

‘We love exchanging and do our utmost to make people feel at home here, whilst taking the best possible care of the homes we stay in. We provide guide books, maps, tourist leaflets, a ‘home book’, bicycles and much more, to enable our guests to make the most of their stay.’ View this blog post

10. Home swapping: an example of the real sharing economy

Guest post by William Azaroff, a modern co-operator, recovering filmmaker, happy Vancouverite and all-around digital fella. Check out William's excellent blog

"Home-swapping makes me think of my early enthusiasm for the Sharing Economy. I still love the idea of sharing the idle capacity of things you own with other people, and owning things collectively through a co-op-like structure. This form of sharing creates reciprocal relationships and community, and reduces the need for so much stuff to be produced and consumed." View this blog post

11. Agreed a home swap? Inlet Host Insurance

Host Insurance: Home Base Holidays is working together with Inlet, who have developed a top up insurance product to extend your home or buildings insurance when you are Home Swapping. View this blog post

12. Win a Kindle Paperwhite, travel photo competition

Choose photos that best encapsulate your travel experience; perhaps an off-the-tourist-trail discovery, or, if taken on a home swap, you or your family enjoying your hosts’ home or one of the highlights of the area. View this blog post

13. Can you Home Exchange With Kids?

Guest post by Jess and Tommy Goodwin. Check out Go With The Goodwins blog.  

"When planning a vacation, you’re probably going to research the hotel or resort where you’ll be staying, maybe even extensively. You’ll do the same thing with homes when looking for a home exchange. In my opinion, if you’re traveling with kids, a home exchange is way better than any hotel or rental." View this blog post

14. Train to Spain: home swap adventures, from 'bocadillos' to 'bikini'!

Guest post by Judith Stafford, a long-time Home Base Holidays member. 

"We were feeling bravas - patatas bravas - so we accepted a home swap offer for our French house and scrambled up onto an enormous train at Narbonne, then cruised our way to Spain. Grabbing baguettes and mini rosés from the station café, we were all set for a picnic while passing étangs, flamingoes, frothing surf and terracotta baked villages."  View this blog post

15. Q&A: looking after pets during a home swap vacation

Many members are very happy to look after pets during their home exchange. When you join Home Base Holidays you will see tick box options for “Pet care required”, “Pet care offered” and “Pets welcome”.  It really can be an excellent option for many pet owning members as it saves on pet care costs and it’s nice to know that your pets are being looked after at home. View this blog post

 

Swap homes: free vacation accommodation in 2019 January is a perfect time to start looking for your spring or summer home swap, allowing plenty of time to find a good match and get to know your home swap partners. Browse thousands of home exchange vacation offers Sign up for free: add your home to Home Base Holidays so that you can start contacting other members to arrange your home exchange. Join Home Base Holidays

Agreed a home swap? Inlet Host Insurance

 

Host Insurance

Home Base Holidays is working together with Inlet, who have developed a top up insurance product to extend your home or buildings insurance when you are Home Swapping.

• Go to: https://www.in-let.co.uk/homebaseholidays

Why do you need Host Insurance?

Sharing your property with Home Swap guests is not covered by standard home insurance; this means that you’re not protected should there be any accidents or damage.

This is where Home Swap Insurance comes in. Home Swap Insurance fills in the gaps in standard insurances and provides supplementary insurance for Home Swaps, Exchanges and Short Term paying guests.

What does Inlet’s Home Swap Insurance Cover?

Inlet Home Swap Insurance covers all types of properties from houses to flats, and bungalows which are being rented out as entire houses or multiple rooms within a house. There is cover for buildings up to a maximum rebuild cost of £800,000, contents up to a maximum of £75,000, legal liability up to £2m and legal expenses up to £50,000.

Inlet also provides cover where other policies don’t, for example:

• accidental or malicious damage to property
• theft without evidence of forced entry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How does Inlet Insurance work?

Inlet offers insurance by the day, but also has a range of packages that can be bought for use throughout the year, including full annual policies. The packages are 35 days or 90 days to be used throughout the year. This system ensures you only pay for what you need and are rewarded for buying in bulk.

All products are fixed priced for every customer, so long as you meet our eligibility criteria.  The key criteria are:

• That you are a UK resident
• Your property is of standard construction type such as brick or stone walls and slate or tiled roof
• You have not had more than 3 claims for Home or Host Insurance in the last 5 years

The full criteria can be found on our website.

Inlet Home Swapping Insurance is underwritten by UK General on behalf of Great Lakes, a subsidiary of Munich Re.  If you have a claim it will be paid by this facility. Munich Re has an AA- credit rating with Standard and Poor’s which means you are in financially safe hands.

Do I need to tell my home insurer?

Yes, it’s important that you let your main Insurer know that you are taking part in a Home Swap as they require you to declare any changes to the use of your property under their terms and conditions.

You will need to call your insurer to let them know that you want to do a Home Swap and intend to take out supplementary insurance with Inlet.

Most Insurers will be fine with this; however, unfortunately, there are still a few Insurers who are not happy to provide Home insurance when a property is being swapped even if you have taken out additional insurance and occasionally they will void or cancel your policy. If this happens, you will need to switch your insurance to a more flexible provider. Inlet are happy to help support you with this.

 

Great - how do I sign up? Get a bit more information?

Inlet are the experts, so it’s best to contact them directly if you have questions. They can be contacted at [email protected] or you can call them on 02082426586

Lots of further information can be found on their website https://www.in-let.co.uk/homebaseholidays

Go to https://www.in-let.co.uk/homebaseholidays and get a quote in 60 seconds! You will then just need to answer a few questions to finish the purchase of your insurance which take no more than a few minutes complete.

Please make sure you read carefully all of the insurance documents you are provided with so that you understand what cover the policy provides, including any exclusions and limitations.

If you have any questions about how the policy works please contact us at [email protected] or 02082426586

Five steps: ensure insurance cover during a home swap

 

The idea behind insurance is not rocket science; instead of sticking our heads in the sand and hoping the worst doesn’t happen (or only happens to another), we pay into a shared pot that promises to take care of us in case disaster strikes.  And disaster can be anything from the mundane such as a burst pipe to the serious when a ceiling collapses.

When it comes to home swapping the landscape doesn’t change that much, a few more humps maybe but really there is just as much chance of the bathwater escaping as when you’re there. Unfortunately, whilst the landscape doesn’t change, the view does, especially if you’re an insurer. And it’s for this reason that the current home swap insurance environment can be described as slightly "confusing”. Many people assume that home exchanging would be automatically covered by their existing insurer but, unless you've contacted your insurers and have a confirmation of cover, then this sometimes is not the case.

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Five steps: ensure insurance cover during a home swap

Please take the following five steps to ensure that your home is covered during a home swap, and like we said, it’s not rocket science or really even rocket salad.

1. Tell your insurer you’re planning on swapping

No one wakes up in the morning looking forward to speaking to their insurer, but it’s important they know what you’re up to, so pick up the phone and have ‘the chat’. The worst that they can tell you is they ‘won’t cover’ you and it’s better to know that now yes?

2. If they don’t cover you, don’t panic

 Most residential home insurers look at having ‘strangers’ staying in your home a as an activity that will either compromise or worst case, invalidate, your cover. The former is OK, the latter is a pain as you will need to move your insurance to another insurance provider. The good news is GUARDHOG can help you with both so relax and give them a call.

3. Check you have the extra cover you need

There is a difference between your insurer allowing you to ‘home swap and being properly covered when you’re ‘’swapping”.  You need to make sure you’re covered for the risks created by having guests to stay: accidental and malicious damage by your guests, theft, unforced entry (in case your guests leave a window or the front door open), and most importantly, public liability.

It feels awful to say it, but if you’re told you’re covered you need to read the small print to make sure that means what it should. If you want a second opinion then get in touch with GUARDHOG - they'll happily confirm if there are any holes so you’ll know exactly where you stand.

4. If you’re in a flat, we cover your neighbours too

It’s not just you GUARDHOG covers. Most building management companies tell us that their, so your, building insurance can also be compromised. When you’re using GUARDHOG they don’t just cover your contents, they cover you’re whole building, basement to roof so you and your neighbours can sleep easy.

5. So act! Check your cover

Sharing safely is great for you, great for your guests and great for your home so you know what we’re going to say: make sure you fill the gaps in your insurance.

At GUARDHOG their Host Cover insures you for the risks created by having guests to stay as well as making sure that if your existing insurance doesn’t pay out because of the guests, then they will. You don’t need to replace your existing insurance; GUARDHOG works on a 'pay per stay' basis so you only pay for insurance when you actually have guests to stay.

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Interested in home swapping? Visit Home Base Holidays and browse stylish home exchange vacation offers in over 90 countries.  

Home Swappers newsletter - explore new neighborhoods

Discover a new neighbourhood. Swap your home and explore a new location for a short weekend getaway or even a longer-term stay. Check out the latest Home Swappers newsletter to see how you can save money by travelling the home exchange way.  

>> View the latest Home Swappers newsletter

 

This issue of Home Swappers includes:

• Featured home swap: Devon coastal apartment overlooking National Trust land
• Home swap Q&A: looking after pets during a home swap
• Home exchanges just in: Tuscan farmhouse & Phuket villa
• Trip report: lovely Lakeland home swap
• Home exchange insurance for the UK market  

 

Find your perfect home swap vacation: join Home Base Holidays

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Get a real feel for the places you visit. Home swapping enables you to get a real feel for the places your visit - you stay in a real home and get tips and recommendations from real locals... your exchange partners! Check out the latest Home Swappers newsletter to see how you can save money by travelling the home exchange way.  

>> View the latest Home Swappers newsletter

 

This issue of Home Swappers includes:

• Featured home swap: beautiful riverside terrace in Confolens, France 
• Trip report: a fantastic week exploring London
• Home insurance: for the UK home swap market
• Home swaps just in: eco friendly Scottish Highlands & beautiful swap in Ireland
• Home swap Q&A introducing your home swap offer

 

Find your perfect home swap vacation: join Home Base Holidays

 

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