How does house exchange work?
A good plan to save on vacation
In a year of the world tour, they only paid for only ten hotel nights! Going traveling with Myriam, his wife, and their young daughter, Laurent did not have any unexpected: ” That good surprises … Houses larger than necessary, views more beautiful than expected. A swarming their Haute-Savoie residence, they were welcomed in Hong Kong, Australia, Cook, Hawaii, California, New York and Canada.
A practice that has many followers in France
According to the Leader Homeexchange platform, which holds 80 % of market share in the sector, France represents a third of the community. In 2025, she had 100,000 members. Like Laurent and his family, these French people exchange their home every year for the All Saints, Christmas, Winter, Easter or summer holidays. A clever way of travelby putting down its suitcases in a living house rather than in an sometimes impersonal Airbnb rental.
All without risk. The reciprocity of the exchange is a guarantee, since the people you entrust to your home entrust you with theirs. Here’s how to get started in the exchange of house.
1. Anticipate your house exchange!
You don’t decide to exchange your house on a whim. This type of vacation is preparing. Most sites advise you at least three months before departurethe ideal is even to start your research in November for a departure in July.
Difficult to know in advance what you can get against your house: there is no “rating” of the exchange, the principle is to find someone who suits you. But France being a desired destination, the accommodation is in great demand.
2. Get to know your hosts
Let strangers sleep in your bed, eat on your plates, use your bathroom … above all, you must have accepted the idea. It is also better to know who you welcome. After checking the identity of your guests, be sure to be on the same wavelength.
Take the time to read their Presentation sheet (tastes, habits, requirements, etc.). Then, by email or by phone, approach cigarette issues, animals to keep, plants and especially household, a subjective notion … and in any case, the basic rule is: at the slightest doubt, refuse exchange.
3. Notify your neighbors and loved ones
A very useful helping hand: ask a trusted neighbor to welcome your hosts (keys presentation, visit, advice). And that he can solve certain problems in your absence (plumber, troubleshooting, last -minute eplod).
Last advantage: he can take a look at his passing neighbors and reassure you of an email. Namely, if you are a tenant, nothing prohibits you from exchanging your house, unless otherwise clauses in your rental contract. But it is always better to also warn its owner.
4. Give indications on your house or apartment to exchange
Write a Complete house use guidewith the location of everything that can be useful and leisure equipment. Explain the operation of household appliances, heating or air conditioning, and internet box, essential and often forgotten.
Remember the rules you would like to see respect. Add the emergency numbers. On the tourism side, even if your guests have already planned their visits, your ideas for walks, your good addresses and other pipes will be welcome.
5. Make your home welcoming
Make a big cleaning, empty fridge and garbage cans. Leave the sheets in evidence on the beds, and the towels in the bathroom. Empty one or two cupboards or shelves. Take the list of everything you promised by email or in the ad.
This is where you will be happy not to have occurred your house! Small gesture always appreciated: a bottle of local wine or a Culinary specialty of the regionwith a welcome word. And, if necessary, let your visitors prepare for their first meal, after discussing them with them.
6. Protect the business you hold
Avoid balances in balance and Store fragile objects. “But even if I always leave the necessary, I know that my guests will inevitably search, if only to find a flashlight,” recalls Joëlle.
She who often leaves, with her two big children, in strangers, leaving her house in the Yvelines in exchange. So put objects that have sentimental value Under the key or at a friend. Also remove another source of problem: drugs.
7. Make your exchanges legally
A glitch is always possible. Engaging a deposit may be enough, but taking exceptional insurance is even more reassuring. Do not hesitate to ask your hosts to do the same.
You will find it difficult to verify that their civil liability works well as in France. Also prevent your insurer that “friends” will stay with you at such a period. “Finally, recalls Lilli Engle, president of Homelink France, never saves the writing to write a contract stipulating the details of the exchange”.
8. Move a good stay
Convinced that you are going to leave your house in good hands? It remains to be seen whether your vacation will also be pleasant on your side. By making your exchange with a family with a profile similar to yours, you save yourself some disappointments.
The size of their accommodation, like their equipment, will surely meet your needs. Did the photos of the house immediately seduce? Check with Google Street View, and make sure the absence of a factory or motorway nearby.
9. Let yourself be carried away by chance
Keep a little flexibility if possible on destinations and dates. Unknownguided by the solicitations is to open up to nice surprises. “We had planned to go to rest in the Pyrenees, when we were contacted by an Italian family. We jumped at the opportunity, and we spent an idyllic week in an apartment with a view of Naples’ bay, “explains Virginie, who often travels with her husband and their 18 -year -old son.
10. Do not forget the house rental option
Even without exchange, it is always possible to make your absence profitable by putting your house for seasonal rentals on sites like Airbnb, Homelidays or Leboncoin. But there, the law is more strict: you cannot rent more than 120 nights per year and will have to declare your profits to the taxman.
If your tenant’s home insurance does not include the vacation guarantee, he must take out a special. The other rules are the same as for the exchange of houses, knowing that your hosts will have paid for their stay.
Homeexchange, barter, intervac, homelink: the best home exchange sites and platforms in Europe and internationally
There are now many sites to exchange your house safely. Homeexchange, Trocmaison, Homelink or Intervac all work in the same way. Just Create an account and complete the ad of his house or his apartment. We detail the number of square meters, beds, bathrooms …
Without forgetting to add photos and a small presentation text. It only remains to choose its holiday destination in France, in Europe or abroad. A multitude of house announcements then appears on the screen.
After selecting the accommodation of his dreams, we contact the owner and we present ourselves in a few words. It only remains to validate the exchange, to Pay membership fees And enjoying your vacation!
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