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MNHQ

Talk to us about Home Exchanges......whether you've done one or not

86 replies

AnnMumsnet · 07/11/2011 10:27

At Mumsnet, we're looking into whether we can provide you with a service to enable home exchanges - both in Britain and abroad - for holidays or travelling.

So we'd like to know what you think - is this something you'd be interested in?

Have you ever home swapped with anyone before or do you know someone who has?

If so, has your/their experience been good or bad?

All feedback very welcome....thank you
MNHQ

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 07/11/2011 22:28

My parents have done this - 'twas a job/house and, in the end, child-swap Grin.
Organised job exchange between 2 universities (Germany - USA), then privately arranged house swap for the duration (1 year) and for various reasons I ended up staying with my dad's exchange parter and his son stayed with my parents. It all worked out fine - AFAIK no special insurance was arranged but there was a lot of goodwill on both sides to make it work IYKWIM.

I'd be v interested.

Shangers · 07/11/2011 22:34

I'd be sooo interested - I'm sick of paying for overpriced hotels especially when I've got a lovely house sitting at home empty! I've never swapped before but I have let people stay in my house while we've been away and it's never been a problem - has always been friends of friends of friends though.

JenInMacc · 07/11/2011 22:38

We did our 1st swap last year from our home in the Yorkshire Dales to one on the edge of the Peak District. It was brilliant, one of the best holidays I've ever had. We emailed each other a few times first and seemed to get on well. I think it suits laid back people who have (or can have with some effort) clean & tidy homes rather than those who are proud to call theirs immaculate.

We did it via the Guardian website which I found to be really good. If the proposed Mumsnet one was as good and searchable as that, I'd definitely be interested in joining to try another one. One of the very best things was coming home to a very clean and tidy house for a change. Perfect holiday solution for these credit crunch times.

jennifersofia · 07/11/2011 23:03

We have done about 12 over the last 10 years, both in the UK and abroad. We used the NCT for UK based swaps and another company for the international ones. They have worked very well for us in the past, all positive experiences, both going and coming home. Only on one occasion did I think, 'hmm, maybe I will clean the sink', but that was still nothing drastic. I would consider it through Mumsnet, but have been happy with our current company. Am happy to discuss our experience further if that would be useful.

moondog · 07/11/2011 23:04

I did one with an MNer which we arranged ourselves about 4 years ago .
It was great and also saved us all a tonne of money.
I subscribe ot my mother's view that unless a hotel is considerably better than your own home, why bother?.
Over the years, various MNers have trieed to get things going to no avail so a more formal facility would be good.
To this day I have never met said MNer face to face!

AAAvegetable · 07/11/2011 23:20

What a coincidence to see this thread after an evening perusing hOme exchange sites in preparation for a trip to California next summer. I would definitely be interested in an MN run site.

KatharineClifton · 08/11/2011 06:56

Would insurance cover it if they steal your stuff?

TheHumancatapult · 08/11/2011 07:08

I would be interested in holiday swap as am near Stansted and direct trains to London in 30 mins

But I found that the fact I need full wheelchair access limits what I need . But if had a section for adapted swaps I be in as find what Travel agents call accessible is not what I would call accessible (thinking of the hotel that had just 2 small steps being called accessibile

Wigeon · 08/11/2011 08:09

I think I'd be interested in principle. We live in a not-that-exciting town but are 20 mins into London by train (and near lots of other nice places to go), and are have a perfectly decent house (with brand new kitchen and almost new bathroom). How much do people swapping with you expect? Isn't there a problem that everyone wants a cutsy shabby chic cottage with beautiful seaviews / gorgeous Georgian London townhouse in zone 1 but you've just got a 3 bed in suburbia?

Wigeon · 08/11/2011 08:09

I suppose we are 20 mins from Luton airport Grin - never thought that might be a selling point!

skirt · 08/11/2011 09:00

I'd love to, we live on the coast and do have sea views but its nothing flash.

Kikithecat · 08/11/2011 10:31

We did a swap with a Spanish family this year and it worked our great. Yes the cleaning beforehand was hard work for me (as I'm not usually quite on top of the housework) but it was worth it as we saved about £2000 on accommodation, had a great time, built up a good relationship with the Spanish family, and found our house immaculate when we returned - and they'd even made sandwiches for us as we were coming in late!

As no exchange of money is involved it does not affect insurance as the family are treated as guests in your home. We also exchanged cars so saved even more. Thoroughly recommend it.

Kikithecat · 08/11/2011 10:33

By the way Widgeon we also live in a suburban house about 20 minutes from London. The family were delighted to have a nice comfortable place to stay from which to see London etc. without having to pay London priices! In return we had a lovely 2 bed apartment overlooking the sea in Spain.

SexyDomesticatedDab · 08/11/2011 10:45

Only swapped within extended family. I possibly would DW wouldn't - think it's down to a trust issue more than anything.

naturalbaby · 08/11/2011 10:48

I am interested but DH is not so I have a bit of work to do persuading him. We have 3 young children so hotels are tricky or not an option, and we aren't going anywhere very often at the moment as it's just easier to stay at home with all our own stuff!

I did a free trial on the NCT site i think so it was interesting to see what's available.

hells1908 · 08/11/2011 13:06

Have done it twice through homeexchange. Once with a family from North Carolina, and once from Maine. Both times we completely lucked out. The NC house was 4 stories, 2 kitchens, private jetty on a lake, pool, jacuzzi etc. Kerching. The Maine house was on the beach just along from the Bush family compound. Brilliant. The site provided contracts but you are on a bit of a limb. It's all about trust - you could wreck their place too. Only swap with people who have reviews, happy to give you phone numbers etc. We locked one room which had valuables in, and made sure neighbours could keep an eye out. Other than that, gave them lots of instructions beforehand, guide to local transport, sites, shopping...even arranged a Sainsburys delivery to coincide with them arriving!

Would do it again in a heartbeat.

BigusBumus · 08/11/2011 14:18

I would LOVE to do this, have researched this recently. Sounds like the answer to a lot of holiday woes!

aristocat · 08/11/2011 14:41

sounds very interesting Smile would love to do this

PhyllisDoris · 08/11/2011 16:29

Sounds like a fantastic idea. How do I start?!

MissIngaFewmarbles · 08/11/2011 17:46

memoo I would. My best cousin has just moved there and I miss him :( can't ask him to put us up for a visit so would love somewhere to stay. Do you fancy a long weekend in Bristol? :)

MissIngaFewmarbles · 08/11/2011 17:54

memoo I would. My best cousin has just moved there and I miss him :( can't ask him to put us up for a visit so would love somewhere to stay. Do you fancy a long weekend in Bristol? :)

Anewstart · 08/11/2011 19:28

I would be interested in this. We are approx 10-15 minutes from downtown Manhattan and would like to have a swap with people in the West London area for visits with my family. Would also be interested in hearing about any other European destinations - especially those in Scandinavia.

mumdad2kidsandadog · 08/11/2011 20:44

What a fab idea, we are in a lovely village in Somerset, a short drive from Glastonbury, Cheddar, Bristol and just minutes from the M5 so are well located for holidays. Convincing DH may be difficult though, he would worry.

PacificDogwood · 08/11/2011 21:03

Do we need to start posting detailed descriptions of our dwelling places right here and now Grin? In estate agent speak?? 'Detached 1930 bungalow with lots of original doodas, central heating, fully modernised, good rail links, good local schoo..." Oh wait, holidayers will not be all that interested in our schools.

Whippet · 08/11/2011 21:54

We've done two - to the US and Canada. They were a fab experience. The only downside is the time/preparation beforehand to get the house ready, and things like having to get to the airport early, yet also leave clean beds Confused.

That said, it was also good, as it forced us DH to do all thsoe things around the house like repairing dripping taps etc before we went.

We've just had an extension built, and are now going to take new photos and list our house again, as we'd like tot try to swap our Surrey/Outer London home for a week in a Ski Resosrt... any takers?? Wink