The truth about house swaps
Swapping your humble home on a quiet street for a house that’s a stone’s throw from Regent’s Park in London’s prestigious north. It’s a romantic notion isn’t? As house swaps become more popular, it appears not everyone is sold on the concept. For some, the idea of house swapping has raised questions about security and safety. Over60 sat down with Nick Faud, the founder of Aussie House Swap Australia, to find out the truth about house swapping.
What are the common misconceptions about house swaps?
Some homeowners worry about having someone in their home. The key to house swapping is that this is a mutual agreement between two parties as you are staying in each other’s homes. Swappers treat their each other’s home with care and respect, knowing that they’re in their home and this is what they would expect from them. Also some people worry about their insurance. In fact, you'll find most insurance companies prefer that there is going to be someone in the home rather than leaving it empty and vulnerable. Check with your insurance company and inform them that you have someone looking after your home while you are away.
What measures are in place to ensure the safety of the houses?
House swap holidays are a mutual agreement based on trust. Both members are in each other’s homes and so they treat them as well as they would their own. Having someone in your home while you are in theirs ensures a level of trust and respect from house swappers. Many swappers will have a lockable cupboard in their home where they can store any valuables away while the swap partner is staying in their home. This can also include personal items or photos that you do not feel comfortable leaving out for others to look at.
The more open communication you have before commencing the swap, the better your swap holiday will be. If there are any rooms you don’t want your swappers to go in, you can make this clear at the outset and they will respect this. Be open about any concerns at the beginning and address them so they will not come up during the swap and become an issue.
Do swappers ever maintain contact after a swap?
Many swap members will swap again with a swap partner if they like the house and area. They can almost become each other’s holiday homes! We have heard of many swappers who go on to find that they have a lot in common and become friends. Some even holiday together at times. The house swap community is a great group of people. To be open to the idea of letting someone stay in your home while you holiday in theirs, is an open and trusting attitude so many swappers make positive and lasting friendships in the swap community.
What are the rules around pets?
Some swappers think they cannot swap if they have pets. This is not the case. Many house swap members love to spend some time taking care of their swap partner’s animal. As long as it’s not a big commitment then most swappers are happy to swap house with someone who has a family pet. If you have a treasured canine friend who you travel with, then this is usually also fine as many swappers are happy for you to bring your own pet with you. You just need to check at the beginning that the swap partner is happy for this, and if so, whether the animal is allowed inside or has to stay outside. Some homes are not set up for animals so in this case you cannot bring your pet with you, however, there are many pet-friendly swappers out there.
How long on average do people swap houses for?
People swap their houses for all different lengths of time. Some will swap of a weekend, a week, a month, a few months or even a year! Swappers travelling closer to home may want to swap only for a short length of time, but those who are travelling further away may want to swap houses for a longer time.
Image: @aussiehouseswap (Instagram)