Safety Guidance

Before you agree to a swap

• Keep the conversation on Home Swap Club until you’re comfortable. It gives you a record.
• Have a video call. Ten minutes face to face tells you more than fifty messages.
• Ask for a walkthrough video of the home, and offer one of yours.
• Be wary of anyone who rushes you, avoids a call, or asks you to move to another platform straight away.
• Never send money to another member. There is no reason for a member to ask you for a deposit, a fee or a wire transfer. Report anyone who does.

Write down what you’ve agreed

Before you travel, agree in writing between you:

• Exact dates and arrival/departure times
• How keys are handed over
• Who is coming, with names and numbers
• Pets: who feeds them, vet details
• Plants, post, bins, alarms, parking
• Wi-Fi, appliances, quirks of the house
• What happens if something breaks
• What happens if either of you needs to cancel

Insurance and permissions

Ask your home insurer, in writing, whether a home swap is covered, and ask the other member to do the same. Policies differ on who may occupy a home while you are away, and some exclude it outright. This is the most expensive thing on this page to get wrong. Check your lease, mortgage conditions, building rules or homeowners’ association rules, and any local regulations about guests. This is your responsibility, not ours.

Before you leave your home

• Lock away valuables, documents and anything irreplaceable.
• Sign out of accounts on shared devices and TVs.
• Leave a simple house guide and an emergency contact.
• Tell a neighbour, so someone local knows what’s happening.

While you’re away

• Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
• Keep the other member’s phone number to hand.
• Message when you arrive so you both know all is well.

If something goes wrong

In an emergency, contact local emergency services first. Then report the member or listing to us from their profile or listing page, and email support@homeswapclub.com with the details.

Please remember: Home Swap Club introduces members and provides messaging. Swaps are arranged directly between members, and we can’t supervise, insure or guarantee them.