How to Prepare Your House for a Home Swap

In recent years, home swapping has become a popular way to take a holiday. You simply connect with someone in a place you’d like to visit (there are numerous home-swap sites online) and then agree to use their place while they stay in yours for a week or two. There are many benefits to home swapping. You save yourself the cost of renting accommodations, and you can enjoy the opportunity to live like a local. Some home swaps include the use of a car, and if you’re vacationing with kids, you can track down a family whose home will be stuffed with toys.

Unlike a regular vacation, though, you can’t just run for the airport leaving your house looking like it’s been burgled: It’s important to get it ready for your exchange visitors. This 12-point plan of pre-departure tasks and welcoming touches will help get your swap off to a good start.

Create a mini directory of essential phone numbers. This should include after-hours clinics, the emergency services number, a vet, repair people and even a local friend who would be a good first point of contact for any less serious concerns.


Make sure your guests understand your home’s security. Do you expect them to lock the windows when they’re out? Should they keep any side gates or garden access locked? Would you like them to use the burglar alarm?

Be clear on these matters and leave instructions so your guests have no difficulty meeting your requirements and you don’t spend your holiday fretting.


Clean your house. It’s pretty obvious that you need to leave your home clean and tidy, but the level of cleanliness can be agreed on in advance. As different people have different standards, find out how any potential swappers like to live. You might have very high standards, but your exchange partner could be more relaxed on the housework front.

Make sure you communicate your own needs about the home you will be staying in, as well as your expectations for anyone staying in your place.


Take care of bath and bed. Clean the bathroom thoroughly and make the beds with freshly laundered linens. Make sure you leave out plenty of clean towels, a change of bedding and extra blankets.


Stock up on essentials. Make it easy for your exchange guests to maintain your home the way you like it, and make their stay more comfortable too. Stock up on cleaning products, toilet paper, soap and detergent.

Ditch any old kitchen cloths or scouring pads and leave out a fresh set. Leave a note about the garbage collection schedule so your visitors can put out the bins.


Give them some room. Leave plenty of space for your guests’ luggage, coats and shoes. Clear some room in your closet and leave spare hangers. This may mean stowing some of your out-of-season gear in the attic or garage. Good opportunity for a cleanout.

Make sure the kitchen has a few cupboards free for storing groceries, and clear out the fridge too.

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Leave out manuals. Leave written directions or the manufacturers’ manuals for appliances and electronics, including the TV, washing machine, dishwasher, oven and central heating.


Create pet care guides. If your home-swap family will be feeding your pets or watering the houseplants, leave clear information and details on what to do and when.


Check over the car. If a car is part of the agreement, make sure you leave all insurance and roadside-assistance details handy, as well as the address of a mechanic.

Check the car over before you leave, topping up the fluids and checking the tire pressure.


Smarten up the garden. Tidy up the yard and mow the lawn if you have one. Water potted plants and leave instructions to repeat this if necessary. Make sure keys to any sheds or outbuildings that contain garden furniture or games are available and clearly marked.


Put together a local mini guide. The joy of a home swap is the chance to live like a local, so share your knowledge of the area with your guests. List great places to visit that don’t make it into the guidebooks. Find out what their interests are (hiking, swimming, cinema) and include suitable options on the list.

Recommend restaurants that are both cheap and cheerful and more fancy. Leave out takeout menus and offer insights into the nearest supermarkets and what they offer. If you live out of town, share transit information, from bus times to driving routes into the city that avoid congestion.


Make a welcoming gesture. Leave a small gift to welcome your exchange guests. A bottle of wine, some fruit, a cake or a selection of basic supplies, including milk and bread, are all appreciated. A card signed by all of you wishing your visitors a great stay is another nice touch.

Have you ever done a home swap? Please share your own tips in the Comments.

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