Frequently Asked Questions

Home swapping is an arrangement where two people agree to exchange their homes for a set period of time. Instead of paying for accommodation, you stay in someone else’s home while they stay in yours. It’s a unique, budget-friendly way to travel and experience living like a local in a new destination. With Swaphouse, home swapping is simple and free. You can connect with like-minded travelers, explore homes around the world, and swap based on mutual interest. It’s perfect for remote workers, digital nomads, and anyone looking to save money while traveling in comfort.

Swaphouse is a home swapping platform designed for remote workers, digital nomads, and anyone who loves to travel. Whether you’re looking to work remotely from a new destination or simply explore the world, Swaphouse makes it easy and free to exchange homes with like-minded people. Swaphouse lets you swap homes without any fees, so you can save money and enjoy longer, more immersive trips. With Swaphouse, you’ll stay in real homes with full amenities, from equipped kitchens to remote work-friendly spaces with fast Wi-Fi. It’s perfect for blending work and travel or just experiencing life like a local in destinations you’ve always dreamed of.

Swaphouse makes it easy to exchange homes with people around the world—completely free. Here’s how to start your home swapping adventure in 4 simple steps: #1 Sign up & list your home Create an account by signing up with LinkedIn. Then, list your home by sharing details like amenities, Wi-Fi speed, and work-from-home essentials. Don’t forget to upload great photos to show off your space! #2 Explore homes Once your home is listed, you can browse one home at a time, tailored to your preferences. If you like a home, tap the like button to show interest. If it’s not a fit, hit ‘pass’ to see the next home. #3 Collect matches When you like a home and the owner likes yours back, it’s a match! You can then start chatting to share details, discuss availability, and plan a potential swap. Pro tip: Schedule a video call to build trust before finalizing. #4 Plan your swap If your plans align and you feel comfortable opening your home to your match, it’s time to book that trip! Discuss the details—like dates, key exchange, and any house tips or rules—and get ready for your adventure. Happy home swapping!

Yes! Swaphouse is completely free to use. Unlike other home swapping platforms, we don’t require any paid memberships or fees to swap homes. As the founders, we discovered how much money we could save by swapping our own home a few times a year—saving thousands on travel accommodation. Inspired by this, we reinvest those savings into covering Swaphouse’s operational costs, like hosting, advertising, and development. Our mission is simple: to make home swapping accessible for everyone, so you can explore the world, save money, and enjoy incredible travel experiences—just like we do. Read more about our story here.

Yes, Swaphouse is a legitimate platform. But don’t just take our word for it—here's how we back it up: Verified company information Swaphouse B.V. is a registered company in the Netherlands. You can find us listed at the local Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) under registration number 91817056. Learn about us Swaphouse was started by travelers for travelers. We built the platform after discovering the joys and cost-saving benefits of home swapping. You can learn more about our story and why we created Swaphouse on our About page. Read what others are saying Thousands of members have joined Swaphouse and are swapping homes worldwide. You can read reviews and testimonials from our members on Trustpilot and Google. We’re here to help and always open to connect. If you’d like to learn more about Swaphouse or speak with us directly, feel free to contact us. We're more than happy to schedule a video call to share more about who we are and how our platform works.

Swaphouse welcomes anyone who owns a home eligible for swapping to join our platform. Whether you're a remote worker or from any employment background, you can enjoy the benefits of home swapping. However, it's important to ensure that you have the necessary permissions and agreements in place. If you own a home, please check with your home association, mortgage provider, insurance provider(s) and relevant local authorities to ensure that home swapping is permitted and doesn't violate any agreements. It's crucial to comply with any rules or restrictions set by these entities. Besides that, for renters it's essential to consult your landlord and review your rental agreement. Seek their permission and verify if home swapping is allowed according to the terms of your lease. We recommend to receive your landlord's consent to avoid any conflicts or breaches of your rental agreement. Please be aware that Swaphouse cannot assume liability in these matters. It remains your responsibility to confirm and adhere to any (local) rules, restrictions, or agreements imposed by relevant parties. Take the necessary steps to ensure that you are compliant and can enjoy a secure and smooth home swapping experience.

Yes, you need a LinkedIn account to sign up for Swaphouse. We only access your name, email, and profile picture to create your account. We do not have access to your full LinkedIn profile, contacts, or any private information, and we will never post or share anything on your behalf. We chose LinkedIn because it often provides more professional information compared to other platforms, helping to foster trust within the Swaphouse community. Since all members sign up using LinkedIn, you can trust that everyone on the platform has an active LinkedIn profile. If you’d like, you can choose to share a link to your LinkedIn profile on your Swaphouse profile so other members can see it—but this is optional and entirely up to you.

Yes, you can join Swaphouse if you have a rental home. However, we strongly recommend obtaining permission from your landlord before listing your rental property on the platform. As a rental tenant, it is your responsibility to review your rental contract and determine if any notifications or approvals are required. Swaphouse cannot be held accountable if you invite guests without adhering to the terms of your rental agreement. It is always best to communicate with your landlord beforehand to ensure compliance and avoid any potential issues.

To maximize your chances of attracting potential swappers, it is crucial to provide detailed and accurate information when listing your home on Swaphouse. We have simplified the listing process into four easy steps to assist you: 1. Home location: Share the city or town your home is located, and add any nearby attractions or landmarks. 2. Home details: Share the essential details about your home, including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities. Add a brief description that paints a picture of your space, helping potential swappers imagine what it’s like to stay at your home. 3. Work-from-home amenities: Highlight any amenities or facilities that make your home suitable for remote work, such as details of your dedicated workspace(s), any available external monitors, and WiFi-speeds. 4. Photos: Upload high-quality photos that showcase all areas of your home. Include shots of your living spaces, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and even outdoor areas like patios or gardens. We recommend uploading at least 10 photos—the more, the better! For tips on taking great photos, check out our blog article.

Before you sign up, you can discover some of the newest homes recently listed on Swaphouse. Want access to all the homes on our platform? Simply sign up and start listing your home. Once your home is listed, you’ll unlock access to the Explore page, where you can swipe through all available homes. You’ll be shown one home at a time (based on the filters you’ve set), and you can either ‘like’ or ‘pass’ to see the next home.

Yes, you can! Head over to the Explore page and click on the filter icon. From there, you can add filters for specific destinations, number of rooms, pet-friendly homes, Wi-Fi speed, and other preferences to find the perfect home(s) for your needs.

When you ‘like’ a home on Swaphouse, it lets the homeowner know you’re interested in a potential swap with them. If they like your home too, it creates a ‘match,’ which means you both share mutual interest in exploring a home swap.

If you change your mind or clicked the wrong button, you can easily switch a ‘pass’ to a ‘like’ or the other way around. Simply go to the Explore page and check the ‘Passed homes’ or ‘Liked homes’ tab. From there, you can review the homes you’ve previously liked or passed and make any updates.

If someone likes your home and you haven’t yet liked or passed theirs, their home will appear in the ‘Match Requests’ tab on the Explore page. From there, you can easily decide to like or pass their home.

A ‘match’ on Swaphouse happens when both you and another member like each other’s homes. It’s a mutual sign of interest in a potential home swap. Once you’ve matched, you can start chatting directly with the homeowner to introduce yourselves, discuss availability, and talk about the details of a possible swap. Matches are saved in your account, so even if the timing doesn’t work right away, you can reconnect later to explore new dates!

You can only message someone if you’re a match. This means both you and the other member must like each other’s homes before you can start a conversation. This ensures you’re only connecting with members who share mutual interest, making the process smoother and saving you from (receiving) unnecessary messages.

Once you're matched with anohter member, it means the owner of the home you liked also has expressed interest in your home. You can find their name, home and availability on the 'Matches' overview page. From there, start a conversation by sending them a chat message. Use this opportunity to introduce yourselves and discuss availability. It's recommended to maintain open and clear communication throughout the process, addressing any doubts or questions you may have. By actively engaging in conversation, you can build trust and confidence before exchanging homes. It’s completely up to you whether or not to move forward with a home swap.

During your initial conversation with a (new) match, it is important to discuss various aspects to ensure a successful home swap. Here are some key topics to cover: 1. Introduction: Take the opportunity to introduce yourself and your family. Share basic information about your background, interests, and any specific requirements or preferences you may have. 2. Home details: Discuss the details of your respective homes, including the number of bedrooms, amenities, and any unique features. Ensure you have a clear understanding of what each home offers. 3. Availability and dates: Confirm the availability of your homes for the desired travel period. Discuss potential dates and any flexibility you have. Ensure there is a mutual understanding of the duration of the swap. 4. Expectations: Discuss your expectations for the home swap experience. Clarify rules, preferences, and any specific requirements you may have, such as pet care, maintenance responsibilities, or housekeeping arrangements. 5. Communication and logistics: Determine the preferred mode of communication during the swap, whether it's through the Swaphouse platform, email, or phone calls. Discuss logistics, such as key exchange, arrival and departure procedures, and any necessary instructions for managing the homes. 6. Local information and recommendations: Share local insights and recommendations about your respective areas. This could include nearby attractions, restaurants, transportation options, or any other information that might enhance the experience for the visiting party. 7. Safety and security: Address any concerns or questions related to safety and security. Discuss measures you both can take to ensure a secure exchange, such as verifying identities, sharing emergency contact information, or discussing home security arrangements. Open and honest communication is essential to establish trust and mutual understanding. Use this initial conversation as an opportunity to get to know each other better and align expectations for a successful and enjoyable home swap.

Absolutely! A video call is a great way to get to know your match better, ask questions about their home, and build trust. It’s a personal touch that can help both parties feel more comfortable before finalizing a swap. For more tips on how to have a successful home swap conversation, check out our blog post.

Yes, you can arrange a non-simultaneous home swap on Swaphouse. This means you and your match don’t have to stay in each other’s homes at the same time. For example, you could host someone in your home now, and then stay at their home at a later date. However, Swaphouse doesn’t use a point system, so non-simultaneous swaps require flexibility and trust between both parties. If your main goal is to earn “credit” for hosting without planning a direct exchange, Swaphouse might not be ideal for that purpose. Clear communication and mutual trust are key to making non-simultaneous swaps work smoothly.

This really depends on the homeowner you’re swapping with. Many homes on Swaphouse are pet-friendly, while others may not allow pets. To find a home that works for you, use the ‘pets-allowed’ filter on the Explore page to search for homes that welcome furry friends. Before planning a swap, always communicate with the homeowner about your pet. Share details about your pet and confirm any rules or expectations they may have to ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved.

Key exchange is something you’ll need to discuss while planning your home swap—along with dates, house rules, and any tips about your home. There are several ways to handle key exchange, such as meeting in person, using a lockbox or leaving keys with a trusted person. The method you choose should work for both you and the person or family you're swapping homes with. For more detailed tips, check out our blog: How to Coordinate Key Exchange for Your Home Swap?.

At Swaphouse, we prioritize creating a safe and trustworthy community. However, it’s important to note that Swaphouse does not verify users, profiles, or listings, so ensuring your safety ultimately depends on the precautions you take. To feel confident during the swapping process, we recommend building a strong connection with potential swappers. Communicate openly, discuss expectations, and schedule video calls to get to know each other better. For added peace of mind, you can request identification or proof of home ownership. For extra peace of mind, Swaphouse offers an optional Damage Protection Plan through our partner, Superhog. For a up to $25 per swap, this plan protects you from $500 to $5,000,000. and includes guest screening to minimize the risk of hosting problematic guests. For complete details and important disclaimers, visit our Damage Protection page. Always trust your instincts and exercise caution. If you have any doubts or concerns about a potential swap, it’s okay to explore other matches.

At Swaphouse, we do not provide insurance coverage. Therefore, we recommend checking with your home insurance provider to understand the extent of your existing coverage. It is the responsibility of Swaphouse members to arrange their own insurance coverage for liability, home, contents, and travel. When discussing insurance with providers, it's important to clarify that home swapping is not a commercial transaction but rather similar to having a friend stay over. Some countries offer short-term rental insurance policies that may cover guests staying in your home if your regular policy does not. To protect for example against potential damage in someone else's home, we strongly recommend having liability insurance. Many insurance policies cover such scenarios, but it is essential to check with your existing or new insurance provider to ensure you have appropriate coverage before engaging in a home swap. Please note that obtaining insurance coverage may result in an increase in your monthly premium or affect the coverage terms. Additionally, some insurance policies may have limitations on the number of weeks or months per year that you can engage in home exchanges while remaining covered. It is crucial to review your insurance policy and consult with your insurance provider to understand the specific coverage details and any additional insurance requirements for home swapping. This ensures you have the necessary protection and peace of mind throughout the home swap experience.

Ensuring the safety of your home during a swap is essential. Here are some steps you can take to enhance security: 1. Communication and verification: Maintain open and thorough communication with your match(es). Get to know them, exchange information, and verify their identity. Establishing trust is crucial for a successful swap. 2. Clear expectations: Discuss rules and expectations for the care of each other's homes. Clarify guidelines regarding pets, smoking, housekeeping, and any other important considerations. Having mutual understanding and respect is key. 3. Security measures: Prioritize home security by ensuring all doors, windows, and locks are in good working condition. Consider installing security systems or utilizing smart home technology for added protection. 4. Valuables and personal belongings: Secure or remove valuable items and personal belongings that you consider sensitive or irreplaceable. This provides an extra layer of protection and peace of mind. 5. Insurance coverage: Review your existing (home/contents/travel/liability) insurance policy to understand the coverage during a home swap. Consider contacting your insurance provider to discuss any necessary adjustments or additional coverage required. 6. Damage Protection: For extra peace of mind, Swaphouse offers an optional Damage Protection Plan through our partner, Superhog. For a maximum cost of $25 per home swap, Superhog’s Damage Protection Plan protects you from $500 to $5,000,000. Plus, this plan includes guest screening to minimize the risk of hosting problematic guests. For complete details and important disclaimers, please visit our Damage Protection information page. 7. Emergency contacts: Share emergency contact information with your match, including local authorities, neighbors, or a trusted person who can assist in case of any unforeseen circumstances. 8. Documentation and inventory: Take photos or create an inventory of your home's condition before the swap. This documentation can be useful in case of any disputes or damages. Remember, while Swaphouse endeavors to create a safe community, it is important to exercise caution, use your best judgment, and take necessary precautions to ensure the security of your home during a swap.

If you have a Swaphouse account, you have direct access to Swaphouse Support via our chat, where you can raise any questions or concerns you may have. Simply log in to your account, go to Messages and reach out to 'Swaphouse Support' for assistance. If you don't have a Swaphouse account, you can still contact us. You can email us at [email protected] or send us a direct message (DM) via Instagram or Facebook. We are here to help and provide the guidance you need to make the most of your Swaphouse experience.

We have a dedicated blog where you can find valuable resources, tips, and information to maximize the benefits of home swapping. Visit our blog to read articles on topics such as working remotely and making the most of your home swap experience. Additionally, we encourage you to follow Swaphouse on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and/or X to stay updated with the latest tips, insights, and community stories.

We greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions to help us improve the Swaphouse platform. We are dedicated to creating a user-friendly platform that meets your needs. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we encourage you to contact us. We value your input and look forward to hearing from you as we work together to enhance your home swapping experience.