Why exchange your home national or international?
How do I find a Home Exchange partner?
Why can't I contact members without joining myself?
Why should I become Home Exchange International member?
How much does the service cost?
Once I've paid my membership fee are there any further charges?
Will my personal information be published on the Internet?
How up to date are your listings?
Is it safe to have another Member living in my home?
My home is very modest; can I expect to get an exchange?
I don't live in a popular tourist area; can I expect to get an exchange?
Who pays for what during the exchange period?
How do we finalize arrangements?
Can I insure my trip?
Is my House Insurance and Car Insurance valid when other using them?
How should I leave the exchange home?
What about damage to my home and furnishings?
What should I do to help my home exchange partners?
Can I list a home that is for rental only?
Check list to help you with home exchange
What is a Home Exchange?
Home Exchange is where two home exchange member agree to exchange their homes for a period of time acceptable to both member. During the exchange period each will live in and look after the others home.
Why exchange your home national or international?
A Membership of HOME EXCHANGE INTERNATIONAL gives you the opportunity of apartment exchange or home exchange with another Member national or international. You just pay your rent or mortgage as usual - the same as the Member in the city of your choice. There is NO MONEY involved between the two of you except maybe for heating, electricity etc. You can cook your own meals, enjoy living as a local and your only extra cost is transportation.
How do I find a Home Exchange partner?
Browse through the members listings and when you find home you like, contact member by sending them an email. If you are not a member you can only browse listings without making a contact.
Why can't I contact members without joining myself?
By paying small membership fee you guarantee to us and to our member that your home exchange listing is 'active' and that you are serious and motivated to arrange a home exchange with another member. Another thing is that privacy of our members is protected in "members only" system.
Why should I become Home Exchange International member?
We are 'Home Exchange Specialists', are several years in bussines and active in exchanging our homes, just like our members. Our staff is always available for guest and members support, try us :-). Listings from over 50 countries worldwide what give our members and visitors an excellent balance of choices. We display each member's join date so you know listings are not outdated. Each listing published is from a member who are active in seeking an home exchange. Members of SHEI are in most cases very flexible, so here you will have a good opportunity for a perfect match if you live in a apartment or house, not only for holiday but also for the possibility of studying and working abroad for a longer period.
How much does the home exchange service cost?
One year of membership costs US$ 30. As home exchange member you can list your home for rent in our Vacation Rental section for only US$ 15 if you like.
Once I've paid my membership fee are there any further charges?
No, there are NO further charges. During your membership there is no limit in: numbers of home exchange, listing update, photo uploads and all other members function.
Will my personal informations be published on the Internet?
No, we don't reveal your personal informations. However, your email address is available in "protected members area" so other members can contact you.
How up to date are your listings?
All listings are up to date, thats way we show registration date for every listing. Listings are available on our website for one or two years from the registration date.
Is it safe to have another Member living in my home?
One of the advantages of SHEI's home exchange or apartment exchange program is, that it is based only on direct personal contact between Members who stay in each other's apartment or house. It means that you stay in the apartment or house of the Member who stays in yours. You will be living in your home exchange partner home as well, and their concerns are very similar to your own. Having someone in your home at the same time as you are in theirs gives each of you a great incentive to treat the home entrusted to you with great respect and care. During direct communication you and your home exchange or apartment exchange partner will become familiar with each other. A house swap or apartment swap doesn't take place overnight. Still, we recommend that the Members exchange as much information as possible, hereunder copies of passport, photos of the home, information about insurance etc. During this years we run home exchange service we didn't have any complains from our members regarding damage or theft.
My home is very modest; can I expect to get an exchange?
Yes, of course. Be honest in the description of your home and its amenities. List all the advantages your home have and you will be surprised with the result.
I don't live in a popular tourist area; can I expect to get an exchange?
Although members are in advantage if they live in popular tourist areas, our experience shows that many members want to avoid tourist areas. Describe your local attractions, surrounding cities and airports. And provide potential home exchange partners with lots of information.
Who pays for what during the exchange period?
This is up to you to agree as part of the deal. It's normal for each to pay the normal household expenses for their home during the home exchange period. The exceptions to this could be things like International phone calls, heating, electricity etc.
How do we finalize arrangements?
After you agree to a trade, you and your home exchange partner may exchange calls and letters finalizing dates and details about cars, pets, responsibilities etc.
Can I insure my trip?
Yes, most Travel Agents will insure your trip against cancellation, loss of baggage, loss of money etc.
Is my House Insurance and Car Insurance valid when other using them?
This is different from one insurance company to another. We suggest that you check with your insurance company before exchanging.
How should I leave the exchange home?
Leave exchange home the way you found it and in the way you would like to find your home.
What about damage to my home and furnishings?
All the time when you consider an home swap, bear in mind that your home swap / flat swap partner is letting you stay in his or her home or flat and probably has the very same concerns. And you can take some of the following precautions: Remove things of particular value and things that are very personal or special to you. Arrange with your friend or a trusted neighbour to ring the bell and check to make sure that everything is ok.
What should I do to help my home exchange partners?
Appoint a friend as Contact Person to welcome your home exchange partner, to assist your guest and to hand over keys both on arrival and departure. Leave maps and brochures for places of interest. Leave the manuals for TV, washer, computer etc. Leave a list of useful phone numbers and the household items.
Can I list a home that is for rental only?
Yes, use our VACATION RENTAL SERVICE to list your home
Check list to help you with home exchange
- Appoint a friend as your CONTACT PERSON, to hand over keys and to assist your home swap or flat swap partner, both on arrival and departure.
- Check your insurances – make sure that you have a third party liability insurance, health insurance etc.
- Exchange copies of e.g. passport, insurance policy etc.
- Agree on eventual payment of use of phone, heating, washing machine etc.
- Leave instructions for care of plants – describe how household appliances work, how to replace fuses etc.
- Leave a note concerning nearest public transport, chemists, post office, shops etc.
- Leave a list near the telephone of important telephone numbers.
AND FINALLY
Prepare your home for your home exchange or home swap partner. Leave
your home newly cleaned, leave adequate wardrobe space.
Why not leave a
bottle of wine and some flowers?
