Guidance Notes
The first time you exchange your home for a holiday, the preparations may seem burdensome because you are unaccustomed to the house swapping experience. However, once you have done it a few times it is hoped that you will establish an easy routine.
Here are some important points for Overfiftieshouseswap members to consider:
- All members are required to act with courtesy whilst communicating with fellow Overfiftieshouseswap members.
- All members are expected to leave their own homes in a clean and good condition for the purposes of a house exchange, and to treat their swapee's home with equal care and respect.
- It is advisable to let your insurance company know in advance that you will have house exchange guests staying whilst you are absent from your home. It is worth stressing that that no money changes hands between swapees. Please be aware that some insurance companies will not cover loss of possessions where there is no sign of a break-in.
- If a potential house exchange is identified and private contact details are shared between swapees, it is standard practice for communication to include land-line telephone calls. This is for extra security purposes.
- If you have a willing friend or neighbour, it is helpful to have someone to welcome your guests, hand over the keys, parking vouchers etc, and go through any details requiring clarification.
- Once agreed, commitments to exchange homes should be honoured unless there is an unavoidable and unforeseen problem preventing a member from going ahead.
- It is useful to leave instructions* for heating, hot water, electrical appliances, gas fires, wood burning stoves etc where these need explanation.
- A list* of emergency numbers such as the local doctors' surgery, dentist, is helpful.
- If you have any favourite local pubs, restaurants, or places of interest to recommend, such information* including contact details is appreciated.
- It is acceptable to ask for certain areas of the house (such as a cupboard, an office or study, or the main bedroom where other bedrooms are sufficient to the needs of the exchange) to remain barred to swapees. Where it is thought appropriate or necessary, locks may be used. Prior notice of barred areas should be given to potential swapees.
- As members are expecting to stay in someone else's home rather than impersonal rented accommodation, there is no requirement to remove personal items such as photo frames unless you would prefer to do so. Overfiftieshouseswap does suggest, however, that suitable arrangements are made for storing jewellery and other valuables during your absence, for reasons of safety not involved with the house swap.
- In each bedroom being used during a house exchange, it is usual to clear a (or part of a) wardrobe and at least one drawer for the storage of clothing, together with clear instructions* as to which drawer and wardrobe space is for the use of guests.
- Where there are specific requests for care (i.e. use of table cloth, mats etc on easily marked dining/kitchen table, cleaning of screen after showering in areas of hard water) it is suggested that members specify these in the instructions*, and discuss such concerns with the swapee in advance. Alternatively, these could be included in the Check List which can be signed by both parties.
- Some swapees may wish to take up a reference either in written form or by telephone. A letter written and signed by someone who knows you well and can verify your good character is useful, and may be photocopied for this purpose. It must be understood, however, that the person providing the reference cannot be held accountable, legally or otherwise, for any outcome relating to a house exchange.
These notes are for guidance purposes. When agreeing an exchange, swapees are encouraged to consider and agree any further issues or concerns not included in the above.
(*Having notes/instructions laminated prevents them from getting damaged and means they can be re-used over a long period).
Please note: Overfiftieshouseswap cannot be held responsible in any way for any loss, damage, costs or expenses suffered or any claims made against swapees as a result of following or relying on any information supplied by Overfiftieshouseswap in these Guidance Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a conflict arising between Overfiftieshouseswap's standard terms and conditions or any information or guidance supplied by Overfiftieshouseswap through its Guidance Notes or website, the conditions of the terms and conditions shall prevail.
