Updates
Our latest platform news, features and improvements
February 27, 2026
⭐ Review Badges Are Here
Trust between members is what makes Swaphouse work.
That's why we've introduced Review Badges. Once you've received one or more reviews after completing swaps, your average star rating will automatically appear on your home listing and profile.
It's a small addition with a meaningful impact: it helps trusted hosts and guests stand out and get more matches.
Completed a swap recently? Read here how to write (and receive) a review in our guide: How to Write a Review After Your Home Swap on Swaphouse.
February 14, 2026
Photo Enhancements
Photo tips to help you take better pictures
Great photos are one of the most important things you can do to make your home listing stand out. They're the first thing potential swappers see, and high-quality images can make all the difference in getting more matches. We've made a few enhancements to help you put your best home forward.
Photo tips: Not sure how to take the best shots? We've added handy tips directly in the Photos section of your Home Listing. Show every room, highlight your workspace, use natural light, capture outdoor spaces, and don't forget to add captions so swappers know exactly what they're looking at.
Refreshed upload UI: The photo upload experience has been improved with clearer instructions. And if something goes wrong, like uploading an unsupported file format, you'll now see a helpful error message with exactly what to do instead of being left guessing.
Smarter photo bullets: The more photos of your home the better, as it gives swappers a much richer impression of your space. However, listings with many photos used to show a long row of dots in the photo carousel on the Explore page. We now display bullets dynamically, so the carousel stays clean and easy to navigate no matter how many photos you add.
January 31, 2026
New Feature: Address Verification (Beta)
We've added Address Verification, a new optional beta feature to help build trust between swappers and improve the chances of successful swaps.
Members can now verify their address by receiving a physical letter with a unique code. Once verified, an Address Verified badge appears on the home listing.
Verified addresses stay private by default and can be optionally shared when planning a swap.
Good to know
- Address Verification confirms mail delivery at an address at the time of verification
- It does not verify ownership, legal residency, or listing accuracy
- Verification is valid for 1 year and can be renewed
Address Verification is currently available as a free beta. The first users already have access via Home Listing → Location.
Interested in trying it too? Reach out to Swaphouse Support to get access.
January 15, 2026
Chat Improvements
Image preview before sending
Last year, Swaphouse members sent over 13.000 messages, so we spent time improving the chat experience based on recent user feedback.
New features: Chats now feel smoother and clearer from the start, with better empty states when no messages have been exchanged yet. We also added an image preview step before sending, so you can double-check your photo (and optionally add a message) instead of accidentally sending the wrong one. Links in messages are now clickable, and line breaks are properly supported so you can write longer messages in readable paragraphs. On mobile, pressing Enter now creates a new line (instead of sending the message), which matches how most chat apps work.
Bug fixes: We also improved how images display in chat: tall photos now show correctly as thumbnails instead of being awkwardly cropped, and full-size viewing looks much better. Finally, we fixed a handful of mobile and layout issues, and chats now always auto-scroll to the latest message when you open them, even in conversations with lots of images.
January 2, 2026
Plan Non-Simultaneous Swaps
Happy New Year! 🎆 We're starting 2026 with a new feature that gives you more flexibility in planning your swaps.
Until now, home swaps had to happen at the same time: you stay at their place while they stay at yours. But schedules don't always match up perfectly.
With non-simultaneous swaps, you can now pick different dates for each side of the swap. For example: you could stay at their apartment in Barcelona in February, and they stay at your place in Amsterdam in April.
This gives you more flexibility to make swaps happen, whether you're coordinating a near-simultaneous swap with just a few days difference, or planning swaps in completely different time periods. More options, more possibilities, more adventures! 🎉
December 17, 2025
Milestone-alert: Homes in Over 1000 Unique Destinations
We just hit an exciting milestone: we now have homes listed in over 1000 unique cities and towns around the world! 🌍
From the start, our goal hasn't just been to get as many homes listed as possible. We want homes spread across the globe so you have the freedom to explore different destinations.
With currently 2750+ homes across 85+ countries, there's never been a better time to swap your way to your next adventure and save money on accommodation costs.
Discover the latest homes or sign up and list your home for free to explore them all!
December 3, 2025
Swap Requests Now Check Your Availability First
Ever get swap requests for dates you're totally unavailable? Yeah, not ideal, so we've made this experience a bit better!
From now on, swap requests must match your availability. If a match tries to send you a request for dates you're not available, it won't even go through. That means you only see swap requests that actually match your availability.
💡 Want to stay open to swaps anytime? Just set a broader availability window when updating your availability. The wider the range, the more swap requests you'll be able to receive.
Not sure how to update your availability? Here's a quick guide.
November 16, 2025
New Feature: Filter Your Matches Smarter
Having a long list of Matches is a good problem to have, but it can get overwhelming fast. We've expanded the Matches filters so you can narrow things down beyond their availability.
Now you can filter by country, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, pet-friendly homes, and the work-from-home essentials that matter most, like how many dedicated workspaces a home offers and the Wi-Fi speed you need to stay productive.
November 2, 2025
Add Your Travel Buddies
Not traveling solo? Add your travel crew to your Swaphouse profile. Whether you're swapping with your partner, kids, parents, bestie or your dog, you can now show who's coming along for the swap.
Adding your travel buddies helps other swappers know exactly who to expect. No surprises, better matches, and a more personal swapping experience. It's a simple way to make your profile feel more human, and your listing more inviting.
How it works:
- Go to your Profile
- Scroll to Who travels with you?
- Add a photo, name and select your relationship (partner, kid, pet, etc.)
That's it! 😊
October 20, 2025
Milestone Alert: 2500+ Homes Listed!
There had to be a better way to travel, one built on sharing, not spending. That's why we started Swaphouse: to help remote workers and travelers swap homes, explore new places, and skip the crazy accommodation costs.
Today we're celebrating a huge moment together: 2500 homes listed across 80+ countries. Each home represents someone choosing connection over consumption, adventure over expense, and community over competition.
Here's to everyone swapping homes, sharing stories, and proving that a smarter, more sustainable way to travel really works. 🚀
October 16, 2025
Add Preferred Destinations to Your Availability
Add your availability dates
Listing your swap availability is now smoother and more intuitive, with a simple three-step flow.
After setting your available dates and swap duration, you can now also add preferred destinations to make finding your perfect match even easier.
Add as many places as you like, from continents and countries to specific cities. Your preferences will be visible on your home listing page so your matches can quickly see if you're a great fit for their next trip.
Prefer to stay flexible? Just select “No preference / Anywhere.”
October 2, 2025
New Feature: Unmatch When It's Not the Right Fit
Go to your Match and click on the three-dot menu icon
Ever matched with someone, had a chat, and realized… it's not quite a fit? Maybe they're looking for a family-friendly swap while you're planning a solo workation, or their house rules don't align with your travel plans.
No worries: sometimes a match just isn't the match, and that's totally fine! To help you keep your Matches overview filled with only the best swapportunities, we've added the option to 'unmatch' a match.
Here's how it works:
- Head to your Matches page.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon.
- Hit "Unmatch"
It's all about keeping your Swaphouse experience smooth, organized, and full of genuine potential swaps that get you excited about your next adventure.
September 17, 2025
Search in Messages
A small but mighty update: you can now search your Messages by name or destination (country, city, or town) to quickly find the chat you need.
Whether you're trying to track down that swap request from Louis in France or check back on details with Alex in Amsterdam, the new search feature makes it super easy to stay organized.
August 29, 2025
New: Add Captions to Your Home Photos
Navigate to Photos section and click 'Add caption'
You asked, we listened! With our latest update, you can now add captions to your home photos to highlight the details that make your place special!
Maybe it's the cozy desk setup perfect for remote work, the balcony view that steals the show, or simply where the best morning coffee happens, captions help bring your space to life.
They also make it easier for other members to get a real feel for your home before swapping, helping you find the perfect match.
To add them, just head to your 'Home Listing' → 'Photos' and click 'Add caption'.
👉 Check out our full guide on how to write compelling photo captions that make your home listing shine!
August 14, 2025
New Feature: View Your Matches on a Map!
Your Swaphouse Matches are no longer just in a list; they're now on the map too! 🎉
Head to your Matches page and switch between list view and map view to see all your matches pinned by their city or town.
Whether you’re planning a trip to a specific region or just curious about the global spread of your matches, the new map view gives you a great perspective on all your home swapping possibilities.
July 30, 2025
Add Your Travel Crew to Your Upcoming Swap
Got an upcoming swap and not traveling solo? Whether you're bringing your partner, kids, friends, or pet, you can now let your swap match know exactly who's coming along for the adventure!
Once your swap is confirmed, just click 'Add your details' to share your travel crew's names, photos, and how they're connected to you. It's a simple way to keep everything clear, with no unexpected surprises.
