To help get you started, we've compiled a comprehensive list of answers to all common
home exchange questions. Please browse from the list below or contact us
for further assistance.
Can't find what you're looking for? Simply contact us
for further assistance.
Getting started
top 
1. What is a home swap ?
A home swap refers to two parties coming together in mutual agreement to swap houses
for an agreed period of time. There are so many benefits to embarking on a home
exchange for your next vacation. They provide great opportunities for both parties
to enjoy a vacation either in their own country or overseas rent free! Accommodation
costs are eliminated altogether!
A home swap arrangement is based upon a relationship of trust. Prior to the exchange
actually happening, the two parties get to know one another and build trust. Once
trust is built, the exchange takes place. Great home exchange experiences are made
possible thanks to a strong relationship of trust.
top 2. What are the benefits of participating
in a home swap ?
If you thought the rent free benefits of a home swap were enough, you're in for
a treat! That's because the rent free benefit isn't the only benefit offered to
those who participate in a home exchange. When you choose a home exchange for your
next vacation, you will also enjoy these benefits:
The convenience of home-based facilities: These include kitchens,
lounges and laundries and in some cases, you might also enjoy the exclusive use
of cars, swimming pools, tennis courts, Jacuzzis and boats! You'll enjoy all of
this at no cost and unlike a hotel, you won't need to share any of these facilities
with anybody else!
Lifelong friendships: In addition, a home swap will also provide
you with the opportunity to build great, lifelong friendships with the people you
enter a home exchange with! Try finding that at a hotel or resort!
The benefits of local knowledge: Finally, a home swap will also
allow you to benefit from local knowledge. The people you enter a home exchange
with will tell you absolutely everything you need to know about the area - the best
restaurants, the best shopping, the best entertainment and the best sites to see!
top 3. Is anyone able to participate
in a home swap ?
Yes! The only requirement is that you have a home to swap .
top 4. Will
my home be safe with people I don't know?
It's absolutely natural to experience concern when it comes to leaving your home
with somebody you don't know. Chances are these concerns will be shared by the people
you decide to enter a home swap with. For this reason, it is important to develop
a strong relationship before you set up the exchange. Building trust is important,
and with time and communication you will build this trust. Get to know your exchange
partner through email and over the phone and swap references. Feel free to exchange
photos and videos as well because this will enhance the communication experience
and help you to get to know one another. All good home exchanges are based on trust,
and trust will be built with regular contact and correspondence, so enjoy the experience!
Membership questions
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For a limited time two year memberships to HouseSwapHolidays.com.au are absolutely
free! However, memberships are filling fast, so
join quick!
top 5. Why should I become a member
of HouseSwapHolidays.com.au ?
HouseSwapHolidays.com.au makes the whole experience of organising a home swap so
easy! Simply register, list your home and choose a destination!
It's easy to view other properties available for swap and editing your own listing
is so fast and simple! Your member details are stored in a secure location within
the website and at the click of a button, you'll be able to explore a huge range
of home exchange opportunities in your country and right around the world!
top 6. Why is it necessary that I become
a member to use the site?
To list your home and arrange a home swap through HouseSwapHolidays.com.au , you
must become a member first. The membership requirement ensures that all who are
involved in the website are serious about participating in a home exchange. It also
allows each party to view the exchange properties on offer before agreeing to a
swap.
top 7. How do I become a member?
Simply follow our quick and easy five step process which takes just minutes! To
get started, click on the 'Join Now' link at the top of the home page and follow
the prompts. By following these instructions, you will be lead through the five
steps. You will:
1. Enter your contact details;
2. Choose your travel destination and preferences;
3. Enter your listing;
4. Upload images of your home; and
5. Pay the membership fee.
During the registration process you will receive an email confirming your details.
This email will include essential information including your username, password
and how to access and edit your member details at any time.
top 8. What do I get for my membership?
As a member you can list your property on our easy-to-use website. You can edit
and update your listing details at any time in just seconds! As a member, you can
also view and contact fellow home exchangers via our secure email facility. Our
membership base is growing by the day and that means many home exchange opportunities
to choose from!
top 9. How do I pay my membership fees?
The best way to pay your membership fee is via our online secure payment system.
Your security is extremely important to us, and that's why we use PayPal - the industry
standard payment system of choice which is also used by eBay.
Using HouseSwapHolidays.com.au
top 10. How do I use HouseSwapHolidays.com.au
?
Using HouseSwapHolidays.com.au is easy! By joining and following the prompts, you
can list your own home for swap . At any time, you can easily change and update
your listing by accessing the Member area.
You can also view our huge range of home swap listings by clicking on the 'View
Listings' button on the top of the page and selecting the location that interests
you. Our comprehensive search function is easy to use and allows you to quickly
locate the opportunities that best suit your requirements.
Via the secure email functionality on the website, you can swap emails with other
people on the website who you believe could be suitable for a home exchange.
top 11. What is the best way to maximise
swap possibilities?
There are a few things you can do to maximise your home swap possibilities:
Provide a comprehensive description of your home: Ensure you provide
a clear and accurate description of your home via your listing. Think about the
things you would like to know about a home, and provide this information in your
listing.
Provide photographs with your listing: Upload photographs of your
home's interior and exterior with your listing. A picture is worth a thousand words!
Provide references from friends and colleagues: Prospective home
swap partners want to learn as much about you as possible, so be sure to obtain
character references from friends and colleagues. You can also obtain references
from those who have participated in a home exchange with you before, if relevant.
Tell your friends about HouseSwapHolidays.com.au : Spread the message
about our website, because it will result in more people listing their homes on
our website - and that means more home swap opportunities for our members!
top 12. What type of information should
I include in my home description?
When preparing your home listing, think about the things you would want to know
about a home if you were searching for a home swap property. Ensure your listing
includes all of this information. We have made this process easier for you by providing
an easy home listing form for you to fill out. It will ask you to provide the information
prospective home exchange partners will want to know. The key to writing your home
description is to be truthful. Describe your home as it really is and remember that
it doesn't matter if your home is only 'average'. Most home exchangers are more
than happy to stay in a home that is clean and comfortable!
top 13. How many exchanges can I arrange
in a year?
As many as you like - there is no limit! There is a one-off yearly charge for membership,
and once this is paid you can take part in as many exchanges as you like! During
your membership period, you can update your exchange details as often as you like.
That means you can update your listing with new images and change the written description
of your home.
top 14. How do I make initial contact
with a listed home owner?
It's really easy! Once you have found a home swap listing that appeals to you, simply
click 'Send Enquiry' which is on the page displaying the listing. By clicking on
this link, you can send this person an email simply by completing the enquiry form.
The home exchanger will then respond to your email, allowing you to discuss directly
with this person how you would like the home exchange process to work.
top 15. Will my personal details be
protected by the site?
Absolutely! We value your privacy. All of your details are protected on our secure
website. All member information is confidential and it will under no circumstances
be provided to any third parties outside of our home swap network.
The home swap process
top 16. How does the home swap process
work?
By organising your home swap vacation via HouseSwapHolidays.com.au , the process
is very easy and in your hands! The process is simplified into three straightforward
steps:
1. Register your home: In other words, create your home listing so other
prospective home exchangers can find you! Simply fill out our home listing form
and submit!
2. Choose your destination: Check out the wide range of home swap listings
available on our website. Simply fill out our search form and you'll be presented
with a range of suitable homes located in your destination of choice!
3. Negotiate the swap : When you find a home exchange opportunity that
appeals, simply contact the person who has listed the property via the 'Send Enquiry'
link! Once you receive a reply from this person, you can negotiate an exchange and
set the terms of that exchange.
The process of setting up an swap is done directly with the person you wish to enter
an exchange with. HouseSwapHolidays.com.au is not involved in this process. We simply
facilitate the swap and leave the negotiating to you - allowing you to arrange the
perfect home exchange that's just right for you!. It's that easy and the flexibility
is all yours!
top 17. How can I ensure a smooth swap
?
To ensure a smooth swap , follow our useful tips as outlined in our
keys to a successful home exchange article!
In summary, you must be honest and truthful when creating your home listing and
you must build a good relationship with the prospective home swap partner. This
is done by exchanging emails and talking on the telephone. Get to know your home
exchange partner to build trust - which is central to any successful home exchange.
top 18. Is it a problem if my home is
"only average"?
Absolutely not! Most home exchangers are more than happy to stay in any homes as
long as they are clean and comfortable - that's all there is to it!
top 19. What happens with household
bills?
As a rule, pay your rates, mortgage/rent and maintenance bills as you would do so
normally. Before you set up the home swap , discuss with your prospective home exchange
partner enter into an agreement relating to the phone and internet bills, which
will be incurred by the home exchange partner staying in your home. As a general
rule, if the home exchange stay is less than one month, the home exchange partner
staying in the home will pay for their phone calls. Of course, there is no right
or wrong way to go, so discuss this with your prospective home exchange partner
and come to an agreement that works for you both.
top 20. Do I need to make insurance
arrangements?
Yes. You will need to talk to your insurer regarding your home insurance and also
your car insurance if you are including a car exchange in the exchange. Be sure
to find out what insurance considerations you need to make by talking to your insurer.
Most insurance companies view home exchanges favourably, because it is safer for
a home to be occupied, as opposed to empty.
Make sure you discuss this with your prospective home swap partner as well, so they
are clear as to what is happening insurance-wise.
top 21. What happens if problems occur
during the swap ?
Although it is extremely rare, emergencies may arise during the home swap . That's
why it is important for you to, so be sure to leave at your home a list of emergency
telephone numbers in the event of such an occurrence. Discuss this with your prospective
home exchange partner prior to the home exchange.
top 22. What happens if damage occurs
during the swap ?
Prior to the swap , you will discuss insurance issues with your prospective home
exchange partner. It is also recommended that you have a breakage policy in place
before the exchange. This will be a policy you will be subjected to as well when
you stay in your home exchange partner's home. As a general rule, breakage policies
usually state that the person who breaks or damages something, arranges replacement
or repair. For a sample breakage policy that you can use, simply refer to the 'Member
Exchange Agreement'.
top 23. Will I be able to find a home
that meets my special requirements?
With so many homes added to our listings each day, you're sure to find the home
that's just right for your home swap adventure in no time. To ensure that the home
suits you, be sure to discuss your requirements with the prospective home exchange
partner prior to setting up the home exchange.
top 24. I still have further questions,
how can I contact you?
Contact us is so easy! Simply fill out the 'Contact Us' form by clicking
here. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within one business day.
