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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:
MmeLindor. · 09/11/2011 12:00

I would be interested in this.

We had our house broken into when we were on holiday just after we moved in and I am sure that it would not have happened if we had a house sitter. We did try to find a house sitter among family and friends but we never found someone who had time when we wanted to go away.

I did think about asking on MN if anyone was interested in free accommodation in Geneva, but was a bit worried about not really knowing them.

Would it be open only to MNetters?

Whippet · 09/11/2011 13:51

Mme Lindor - how far are you from the ski resorts??? Fancy 7-10 days in the UK, within easy train ride to London? Smile

MmeLindor. · 09/11/2011 14:02

Whippet
About an hour from Chamonix, less to Morzine. Not quite ski in ski out

Swedes2 · 09/11/2011 14:59

MmeLindor - Do you rent or own your house in Geneva?

MmeLindor. · 09/11/2011 15:05

We rent.

Not even sure that we would be allowed to do this, but guess that the having friends staying instead of leaving the house empty would be accepted.

Lotkinsgonecurly · 09/11/2011 19:17

I'd love to do one to almost anywhere! We live in the Cotswolds. Would love to swap next summer for a couple of weeks.

instantfamily · 09/11/2011 20:25

Would love to do this. Not sure the swiss landlord would be pleased about it, though.

whomovedmychocolate · 09/11/2011 22:13

Hmm I'm in two minds about this. There is this view that 'mumsnetters' are generally decent folk but it takes all of two minutes to register and any old looper could sign on and set up a second account to get a good 'review' Hmm

I think there would be enough of a time lag for it to be a security risk and yes, people could say 'well they won't wreck your place because you might wreck theirs' but actually, how would you know till you got back? By then the damage is done. There is no remote vandalism alarm which calls you and tells you to vom on their hall carpet because they did it on yours is there?

Whippet · 09/11/2011 22:25

WMMC - I don't think it would be any more secure through MN than through any of the existing agencies/ websites (which raises the question - what exactly could MN add ?)

Before we did our swaps we spent time getting to know our swap partners - by e-mail/ phone, and I even googled them extensively! DH and I agreed that if at any point we felt uncomfortable with any of the swap families then we would pull out, but we didn't, and it was all fine.

neenienana · 10/11/2011 12:54

I'm definitely interested, we looked into a bit last year for canada but could'nt find right swap. I would like to do it in the uk during easter perhaps cornwall area. I will try the sites mentioned above and keep you posted!

Maybee · 10/11/2011 14:04

We have done it 3 times once in france and twice in the Uk and it was v successful. Once you've organised folders on how things work in your house and attractions/useful info in your area the first time, it gets easier. Kids love other kids toys and gardens. I am in rented accommodation now with my kids but will definitely start doing it again when I get myself sorted with a house.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 10/11/2011 14:33

Semi in Warrington anyone Wink
I might be interested but am wondering about the shittens. Would the person who came to stay in my hovel house be expected to feed the cats or would they need to go to a cattery?

whomovedmychocolate · 10/11/2011 16:12

I believe feeding shittens is part of the deal Kreecher. Though I did hear a very funny story from my friend who housesat for a couple in London. Everything went fine except that she couldn't find the food for the cat, so she went out and bought loads and fed this cat for three weeks. Very affectionate cat, she was very fond of it.

Only problem was the owners didn't own a cat! Grin

allhailtheaubergine · 10/11/2011 16:18

Yes, I'd be interested.

It's something I've been meaning to look into anyway.

kerala · 10/11/2011 17:27

We've done it twice. Its a leap of faith and not for everyone, quite a few people we know thought we were mad but it worked for us. Had amazing 2 week holiday in August in southern Spain for cost of the flights only.

kplondon · 11/11/2011 05:56

Yes I would and would feel much better about the only issue I might have with it - the "trust" issue - if Mumsnet, and Mumsnetters, were involved.

MissIngaFewmarbles · 11/11/2011 09:14

Well I'm sorted for Warrington then Grin

Does this generally only work if you live in London/countryside/seaside?

kreecherlivesupstairs · 13/11/2011 06:43

Interesting that there are two of us in Warrington offering our place. Mine is best, it comes with shittens which, at the rate they are growing, will soon be shats.

f1chick · 13/11/2011 21:50

I would definitely be interested in this. I have just joined a couple of websites and am looking for a swap somewhere in the South East of England or Northern France (we are in Scotland). We have only registered for couple of weeks and have so far had a few really good offers but none of them have kids at the same stage as ours and the main appeal for me is swapping with another family with kids of similar ages. The fact that the house will be fully equipped with toys etc to keep them amused should mean that there is not the same pressure to go out all day, every day to keep them entertained!

JennyPiccolo · 14/11/2011 11:32

i live in Glasgow and the couple next door to me only keer their flat as a holiday home for city breaks, so i guess people would want to stay here. I once let a friend of a friend from Northern Ireland (who i hadnt met) stay here for a week when i was away so they could have a holiday. They really enjoyed it, i didnt mind apart from the cleaning beforehand (slattern), but although they were strangers, they werent total randoms.

KatieMiddIeton · 14/11/2011 11:40

I've done it with someone from here. We went all the way to Oz Shock

I'd do it again but in UK or Europe only (was bit far with toddler) and book a storage unit for all our stuff. It was stressful making enough room in our titchy house and my usual holiday packing of throwing stuff and running out was quite severely hampered by the need to leave the place habitable.

But, I wouldn't join a MN house swap scheme because I already have free membership of the NCT houseswap register.

rookiemater · 18/11/2011 16:59

I have done home swapping through NCT scheme a number of times.

It is quite hard work getting the house ready to what I deem to be an acceptable standard i.e. tidy clutter away, clean oven, house reasonably presentable. However don't assume that everyone else has the same standards, I'm not particularly house proud but have been surprised on one occasion by the way the house had been left. It would be helpful to have some set guidelines on this.

Oh and it should be restricted to people who have children under the age of 18. Once when we were heading to the airport we got a phone call announcing that it was no trouble (well not for them evidently) but their 19 year old son was going to be their for the first 2 nights of our swap, very ppor show in my book.

When it has worked well it is brilliant, we have been twice to Nottingham not a particularly touristy destination but were able to visit DH's friends without having to impose and DS loved having toys to play with, plus you can get a Tesco shop ordered in so you have groceries for the week.

KatieMiddIeton · 18/11/2011 17:20

I don't think it needs to have a restriction on the ages of the children but you are not wrong to expect sole use of the place.

Vavvers · 20/11/2011 19:12

My parents have had to move in to sheltered accomodation in Pembury, Kent &
are no longer able to put us up which is becoming a big problem for Christmas etc and therefore I would be very interested in a house exchange with another family. We live in a village 6 miles out of Leicester and need to swap for Tunbridge Wells/Pembury area. If you have ever wanted to stay in a 500 year old ex public house..........?

AlleycatD · 30/11/2011 17:27

Sounds a good idea. I am a member of the Guardian Home Exchange site and have found that to be excellent. We've been on a number of swaps through the site. We haven't yet had a holiday with the little one but are in the process of planning an exchange with a family in Wales this in March.