From Our Partners
Laurie Bauer | Business Development Manager, TW Insurance
A Look at House Swapping
Longing for adventure, vacation, or world travel? If your
dreams of sand between your toes or pictures with that
landmark are being spoiled by cost, home swapping may
be for you. It means a nearly free residence wherever you
want to go with the bonus of knowing your home won’t
be sitting empty while you’re gone. Although leaving your
home in the hands of a stranger can be daunting, the
relationship that is built leading up to the swap can ensure
that your swap partner is trustworthy and respectful
of your space. When done well, a home swap can be an
enriching experience for both parties.
This whole process should be happening
well in advance of the actual swap.
Sometimes months of preparation are
required to make a seamless exchange.
Make sure you are ready at the time of the swap. Tidy
your home, lock up your valuables and personals, and
maybe leave a list of local sights and restaurants for your
house guests. Inform your neighbours what is happening,
so they aren’t startled by the sudden appearance of
strangers in your home.
Common Concerns
What Is Home Swapping?
Home swapping for the first
Home swapping is when two consenting people or couples time can be scary. Letting
swap homes for a period of time. There are several kinds
a stranger into your home
of home swapping.
should be handled with care.
• Simultaneous swapping is when both parties leave their
According to a study from the
homes and go to the other at the same time. This is the University of Bergamo, Italy,
most common type of swap.
ninety-three per cent of home
• Hospitality swapping is when the two parties take turns swappers were happy with their
being guests in each other’s homes.
experience, seventy per cent of whom had
• Non-simultaneous swapping is when one party stays in been home swapping for over a year.
the other party’s secondary residence, while the other
One thing that many home swappers have in common
continues to stay in their primary residence.
is a mutual trust for one another. Since you will be staying
in your partner’s home, treat theirs with the same level of
You can organize a home swap on your own, but a
multitude of websites exist that can help by introducing respect that you hope they will have for yours.
you to a swap partner and facilitating the relationship- Insurance Coverage While Home Swapping
building conversation and trust.
Every insurance company is different, and your policy
may not cover strangers in your home. Before agreeing
How Do I Home Swap?
The first step to home swapping is finding a partner. There to a swap, call your insurance broker and ask. Get all the
information you need to keep your property safe before
are many websites to help and each one has something
different to bring to the table. Some have a points system, deciding to swap homes.
Some home swappers also swap cars. If you do this,
others specialize in students swapping. Look around and
make sure your car insurance policy allows for guests to
find the right community of swappers for your needs.
drive your car without you with them.
You will need to advertise your home to appeal to
If travelling is a priority for you and you are looking for
potential swappers. Take nice pictures, describe what’s
around you, and set rules (is it pet friendly? Smoke free?). ways to save some money while seeing the world, home
swapping may be for you. If done right, a home swap can
Make sure to note extras such as a pool or hot tub.
be a fantastic experience for both parties, allowing you to
Once you have a partner to swap with, set your dates,
experience a new culture in a different way than you ever
make expectations clear, and get to know each other.
could in a hotel. ●
Ensure they are the kind of people who will respect your
space, and make it clear you’ll respect theirs.
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