How to house swapIs it easy to make a deal?
Once you have found a property you like and a family you feel comfortable exchanging with, you need to reach an agreement on all the practicalities, from specific dates of the swap to who is going to feed the resident cat. Most agency websites include a sample 'Holiday Agreement' form. Adapt it to your own needs and send a copy to your exchangee.
Make sure you get everything down in writing, and remember to include things such as the number of people who will be staying in your house, and who will pay utility bills or phone bills, etc. It's also worth agreeing the consequences of accidental damage that is too small to make an insurance claim possible or worthwhile. Until the agreements have been signed it is inadvisable to make any travel arrangements.
Book your travel at the same time as your exchange partners and let each other know the details. It is considered a cardinal sin by agencies to pull out of an exchange once the agreement has been made. You should only do this in the case of a real emergency.
What if things go wrong?
All the UK agencies we spoke to told us that serious complaints were few and far between. Those they do receive are generally down to incompatible cleaning standards.
If things do go seriously wrong, the agency will act as a go-between. However, the exchange system is based on mutual trust, and the agency bears no legal responsibility. Members may be struck off if it is believed they have broken an agreement, or even abused the system, but that is of little comfort if you have a bad experience.
Will I need to arrange insurance?
Ensure your home insurance company is aware of your house swap and establish any exclusions or conditions. If you are exchanging cars, see if you can add exchangers to your policy, and find out what documentation will be required - and the extra costs involved - before making a firm agreement with your house swap partners.
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