Weir Cottage

Swapetiquette!

Lots of people who contact us, and the majority of those with whom we swap, have never exchanged houses before.  This page tries to cover some of the aspects you might wonder about or never considered at all.  Hope it helps whether you end up exchanging with us or somewhere else.

DO

DON'T

Treat this as an arrangement between good friends you have yet to meet!

Don't treat the arrangement as some kind of business deal

Keep in touch throughout the exchange process.  This is important not least after the swap is agreed because a period of 'no news' might indicate a change of heart

Smoke in the house or car if it is a non smoking exchange, as the vast majority are

Clean your house thoroughly before you go.  If you are pet owner (dog especially), non pet owner's noses are more sensitive than yours!

Invite guests to the house to stay unless your exchangers have approved it

Try to remember how the exchange house was when you got there and attempt to replicate it on leaving.  Kitchen layout and cushions, stuff like that

Let others drive the swapped car, it is probably not insured for them

If possible, have an overlap at one end or the other for a day or so.  I suggest at the destination end of the less experienced party

Assume that polished surfaces are heat, scratch and water resistant!  Use coasters

Introduce friends but understand some people like to keep themselves to themselves.  Generally, mixing with the natives is hugely rewarding

Forget to lock the doors - your exchanger's insurance won't pay if people walk in and help themselves

Ask if there are any rules you'd like followed at your home e.g. no pork or sea food is a frequent one and easy to follow

Assume your car insurance covers the exchangers - make sure.  It must be for the car and third parties.  In UK we usually have to name the drivers and they charge for it

Use the house alarm system if that is the usual practice where you are staying.  UK seems much more security conscious than elsewhere (with good reason)

Omit to leave the PC password if it has one.  Also, if a Guest user (see below) for e-mail you need to have the POP3 and SMTP settings (your POP but THEIR smtp.  If stuck, e-mail me for help

Remove your shoes in the house especially if outside is wet or if that is the norm where you are staying.  It seems the norm in Australia

Use Outlook e-mail at all when away UNLESS it is on the 'Guest User'.  Pick up you own mail using Net Mail.  Your ISP almost certainly offers this free service.  If not, get a Hot Mail a/c. 

Leave the car how you found it - cleanliness and gas.

Snoop in other people's things - it's rude and a breach of trust

Take special care when driving and admit to any damage.  Have a look around the car before you take it out the first time avoiding worrying if you did it or not

Consign your swappers to the guest room - it is a full house exchange.  Usually the master bedroom is the nicest and it would be a shame not to make every effort to make your exchangers as comfortable as possible

Check that your house insurance allows lending your home.  Do it before commitment

Consider a compensating cash payment if one house is better than the other.  This is against the whole concept

Leave the car documentation needed in your country especially by police

Expect any utility bill differential payments

Have car breakdown cover if possible.  How terrible being stranded in another's car and country with the helplessness that follows

Let your children walk about the house with drinks and food

Consider leaving a mobile phone for emergencies (and its number!)

Skimp on the instruction book you leave.  It helps.

Clear out a closet and one chest of drawers for your exchangers

Be offended when you read something blindingly obvious - it is a mystery to others

Explain things your exchangers might not understand e.g. leaving doors open in an air conditioned house.  They've maybe never been in a/c before

Exchange your main home with a rental unit unless you do so with your eyes wide open

Offer anything that is in the food or drinks cupboard>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>Abuse the generosity so replenish important things

Gather tourist information leaflets and coupons and leave for your visitors

Enter into a series of exchanges back to back unless you have a very strong support network back home or you are utterly relaxed with what you'll find upon return

Recommend places to eat and shop.  Include others your exchangers might like

Assume the trash system is the same.  Explain recycling procedures and dates

Leave a thank-you note at least

Leave home without sharing an itinerary if you are moving on after/before exchange

Say where doctor's surgery is and procedure/number

Ignore the plant watering

Have a line up of special friends for emergencies/advice etc

Use the phones for International calls unless agreed.  Instead, buy a calling card: There are a huge number offering these on-line and are superb for guiltless calls to loved ones.  Even better, get Skype for free.

Read about the highway rules in the exchange country...roundabouts; four way stops; right turn on red; seatbelts all VERY different between countries

Collect parking fines and leave it to your poor exchangers

Make sure you have travel insurance.  Does it cover home exchanges especially cancellation?  Ours seems to but never tested. Care re: duration

Forget to leave any passes you might have to national parks and the like

Instruct how TV/Satellite/HiFi/VCR/DVD operate (always idiosyncratic)

Leave in a hurry - double check doors, windows, alarms

Unless the place has been completely misrepresented DO find something positive to say about your exchanger's property and the experience itself

Don't be irritable if the weather is bad - it's not the exchanger's fault!

Expect to feel a little uncomfortable when you arrive especially if jet-lagged.  Things will be different and you'll feel at home in a day or so when rested

Get irritated if things are repeated because experience tells us info provided is either ignored, misunderstood or both

Understand that all exchange house will have something missing that you are used to having and will be amazed that they seemingly do without it!

Don't rearrange furniture and not put it back where you found it

Do read instructions left by your exchangers it'll help you

Be arrogant to locals you come in contact with - it let's down you and your compatriots.  It's not big, not clever, really it isn't

If you read down this far WELL DONE!