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Here are some general helpful hints you may find useful before you rent, sublet or swap housing:
- Make sure you have clarified all financial issues, such as monthly rent, deposit, bills (heating, electricity, gas, internet, etc.)
- For extra assurance, ask to see additional pictures of the residence. For verification of the address, you can ask to see the latest electricity/heating/gas bill.
- Renters and HomeOwners should both fill out the Rental agreement form, specifying the terms of the rental agreement between you and the Renter/HomeOwner. Swappers should use the Exchange agreement form.
Please note: CasaSwap does not assume any responsibility whatsoever, regarding all matters pertaining to the utilization of the agreements, or potential violation of these. The agreement forms are simply intended as helpful suggestions. For further information, please read the Legal Terms.
Having concerns about letting strangers into your home is completely understandable. However, remember that the exchange-partner is facing the very same concerns and questions as you are!
Therefore, CasaSwap has made the following list of advice that can make the exchange a safe and pleasant one:
- Take the time and the effort to build mutual trust and sincerity before the exchange. Write letters, send e-mails (including photos of your home), where you tell more about yourself, your interests, your home and the area where you live. Frequent mutual correspondence is the key to a successful exchange and positive experience!
- Most home-exchanges take place without any problems whatsoever, and we are confident that you will experience just the same. Insurance companies and police authorities actually agree that your home is much safer with someone living in it, instead of you leaving an empty home. However, in case anything breaks, bends, scratches, disappears, etc., we advise that all Swapper-profiles sort this out in the Exchange agreement form - before the home-exchange takes place.
- Another great way of communicating is online through MSN Messenger; share your MSN contact information with other CasaSwap members and use Messenger in order to chat with other CasaSwap members from all over the world - easy, fast and free!
- If possible, use the telephone as this will often be a faster way of getting to know each other. For free (or very cheap!) Internet telephony, CasaSwap recommend the use of Skype.
- Make sure that both of you agree on specific terms. For instance, make sure that all bill and cost issues (such as phone bills, heating, electricity, etc.) have been sorted out and clarified before the home-swap: "who pays what and when".
Furthermore, CasaSwap advice members to use rental- and exchange agreement forms in order to specify the terms regarding an agreement to rent, sublet or swap accommodation. It should be noted, in accordance with our general legal terms, that CasaSwap assumes no responsibility concerning disputes arising from the appliance of the agreement forms ( = they're just a helpful guideline).
If you have followed the initial advice, most of the uncertainty regarding your home-exchange partner and the exchange of homes should be eliminated. However, you can easily use additional measures in order to ensure a safe and successful home-exchange:
- Have a family member, friend, neighbour, etc. ready to help and assist as a contact-person during the exchange. This effort works both ways; the contact person can assist your guest during the stay in terms of questions, location guidance and - in the worst case - unforeseen emergencies. At the same time the contact-person can keep an eye on your home so that you can concentrate on the important thing: enjoying your own stay!
- Make a "to-do"-list. Which parts of your home needs special attention; are there certain in-house rules, out-of bounds areas, or maybe even a curfew that has to be considered? Make sure to write them down and that you both agree on them.
- Thanks to virtually free/very cheap IP-Telephony (Skype) you can even keep in touch during the home exchange!
After the exchange, we recommend that you do your best to keep in touch with your home-exchange partner. This can assist you in building and maintaining an international network that may prove very valuable in the future, for instance when you go on vacation. Imagine all the places you could stay - virtually for free!
Got any other valuable travel advice and/or exchange tips? Share them with other CasaSwap members!
Contact us here
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