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  • How exactly do I arrange a swap?

    Found a home and destination you love? It’s as simple as messaging the owner and taking it from there.

    You can use our secure messaging to talk over the details – then when you’re ready, you just need to click ‘agree’. Easy.

  • Have you got any insider tips?

    Way too many to write here! But the most important ones are:

    Invest in your listing. Take a bit of time to make it look (and sound) great and you’ll spend way less time searching for swaps.
    Be open minded to homes and locations. Sometimes those opportunistic swaps turn out to be the best.

    Communicate to connect. We encourage members to exchange around 10 to 20 messages via the site to help confirm a swap (and a phone call is definitely a good idea too). Ask things about local transport, if there will be any pets to feed and where to find the house key!
    Be thoughtful and considerate. Ensure your home is tidy and stocked up with the basics before your ‘swap’ arrives. And in turn, leave your hosts home as you found it.

  • Do I need insurance?

    It’s always a good idea to talk to your home insurer before your trip to make sure you’re covered while you swap and to give yourself a chance to take out any extra cover, should you need it.

  • Do we have to swap at the same time?

    Yes, it needs to be a simultaneous swap.

    You also must have an active membership for the duration of your trip.

  • How do members contact each other about home swaps?

    Members contact each other about home exchanges through the secure messaging system within the The Welcome Mat service. You will also receive an email to your own email address to alert you each time you receive a new message.

    We ask that our members respond to all swap requests and messages, even if the swap request is not of interest to you – this just helps people with organising their trip and of course no one likes to be left hanging.

    Once you’ve made contact with members via the site, it’s also a good idea to discuss your home swap on a phone call or via Skype to get to know your exchange partner more (and to make sure you get all those local tips and tricks).

  • Do I have to add photos of my home straight away?

    Photos are a really important part of your profile and members who add photos are 11 times more likely to receive home swap requests.

    Don’t worry if you don’t have photos to hand when you join. You can return later to add photos or other details – simply follow the link in the Welcome email we sent you or go to the ‘My Profile’ section as soon as you have photos ready.

    We strongly recommend that you add at least one photo to your listing to get the most out of your membership.

  • Can I list more than one home?

    Members can list as many properties on the site as they wish without any extra fee per home. Simply go to your My Account area, and click on the ‘Add home’ link.

    If you have any questions about how to do this, please contact us.

  • How many times can you swap during the year?

    As The Welcome Mat member, there is no limit on the length or number of swaps that you agree throughout the year – it’s all part of your single membership fee.

    But just remember, you will need to have an active membership for the duration of any swaps you agree to.

  • How does the swap confirmation process work?

    The Welcome Mat site takes you through the process of agreeing home swaps online in a simple and secure way. This covers the essentials and confirms your swap timings and other specifics.

    You can start this process simply by clicking on the ‘Agree Swap’ button in the top right corner of any trip discussion.

  • Can I agree to a swap beyond the expiry of my membership?

    You must be an active member for the duration of any swaps you agree.

  • What should I do to make the swap run as smoothly as possible?

    Industry experts state that it is very rare for complaints about theft or damage to be reported around home swaps.

    But just to be on the safe side, it is advised for members to lock away any valuable possessions that you instinctively would not want to leave out on display.

  • Where do I start?

    Join : Listing your home on The Welcome Mat is quick and easy.

    Search : Found some homes and/or destinations you like? Check out reviews and available dates.

    Direct swap: Message other members to agree the details and get swapping.

  • Is it free to list my home?

    No, You need to have an active Membership to list your home.

  • Why choose to swap houses through The Welcome Mat?

    So your heart is convinced, but what about your head?

    Here’s a few more reasons why you should join our exclusive community:

    We have the best choice with thousands of unique homes all over the world.

    We make it quick and easy. Our online calendar lets you discover instantly if the home you want is available.
    We have no limits on swaps. All our members can swap homes as often as they want.

    We’re dedicated and know our stuff, plus our helpful customer team is always on hand.