switchezvosmaisons.com FAQs (frequently-asked questions)

Normally yes. Since the exchange is not considered as a sub-renting and that it does not include any financial transaction, you can exchange your apartment for a given period. However, we suggest you to contact your owner in order to get any necessary permissions.

Yes, your are if you hold an householder comprehensive insurance and a personal liabilty insurance policy. It’s better to check with your own insurance company. If you wish to exchange your car for example, it is appropriate to take advice from your insurer in order to check the conditions proposed by your insurance company. It is also necessary to anticipate the terms of payment with the member in case of accident.

You save money since you only have your train ticket or your plane ticket to be paid. In addtion you will not have to pay for the rental because you exchange your house with a member of switchervosmaisons.com. Actually, you will not spend more money than if you were at home.

The exchange is based on reciprocal trust but of course, valuable items and jewelry may be kept away if you wish. But remember that an apartment or a house inhabited is better protected than if it were not.

You can ask a neighbor or a member of your family to give the keys to your partner, you can also send them by mail or even determine with him to hide your keys somewhere so that he can find them easily when he arrives.

Not necessarily. It is essential that the two members agree on the terms of the exchange and that both are satisfied. For example, a member living in New York in a small apartment wants to be in Avignon during the festival whereas you absolutely want to visit New York during the same period.

The agreement settles the conditions regarding the exchange of homes and thus enables to avoid misunderstandings or confusion. It contents a description of your apartment and enables to determine, for example, if the other member can or not use your telephone or your car...

All specific characteristics or requests can be discussed with your partner. In addition, you can also mention them in the description of your advertisement or make your research by criteria. The ad indicates if the animals are allowed or not as well as it may be mentionned in the ad whether or not your partner wishes you to take care of its redfish, for example.

It depends on which country you wish to visit and of the the time spent for your research. For example, if you decide to find a house to be exchanged in your country or a close country, insofar as you should not take plane ticket, you can become a member of switchezvosmaisons.com a few weeks before your departure. But, if you wish to travel overseas you need to book plane ticket, so it is preferable to be registered at least 6 months in advance.

Thanks to the protected payment system Paypal, the payment can be made by credit card (Visa, American Express, etc).

Usually yes. The exchange is generally done in a simultaneous way but all is possible when the two members agree regarding the most appropriated period. In addition, some members also exchange their second homes which enables swapping on numerous periods.

The description on the advertisement indicates the number of people the house or the exchanged apartment can contain.

Yes, you can exchange as many times as your remain a member of switchezvosmaison.com, without any additional payments.

Yes you can. You have to arrange your travel and to be agree with the other members.

Switchezvosmaisons.com is a Website that gathers advertisements of properties of the whole world. It is dedicated to persons wishing to switch their residence with other persons.

Choose the destination and the type of accomodation which interests you. Then, seek on switchezvosmaisons.com the ad which matches the best with your expectation. Then, contact the member in order to arrange the exchange.

€55 for a one year unlimited membership. The payment is safe and is carried out by credit card (Visa, Master Card, etc).

The exchange is based on reciprocal trust. You will be in the apartment of the other member and will, of course respect another’s property. Before making your mind up, it is important to talk on the phone few times about the details of your exchange, for example. You can also exchange emails and photographs. You can also aks referrals about prior exchanges too.

It’s up to you. You are not compelled you switch your car but it depends on the terms of the agreement. However, it can be comfortable to swap your car in order to avoid renting one during your holiday. In this case, it should be specified in your advertisement.

Your house can be of interest for the members who will come in your area for various reasons (business holidays or trip, a wedding)

Most exchanges are one-to-one. But you can also arrange a very specific exchange. For example, you swap with a Spanish member, the Spanish member flies to Norway and the Norwegian member goes your home.

Sometimes the members do the cleaning themselves and other times, members accept to pay the usual housekeeper. The rule is to leave the house as you found it and to take care of the house as you expect your partner to take care of yours.

You can make national or international exchanges.

It depends on what have been decided with your partner but exchanges within country are usually 1-2 weeks and international exchanges 1-3 weeks.

Switchezvosmaisons.com do not post your name, street or email address or make them available on the Web. Our advanced server enables you to receive exchange offers but the persons who contact you do not have your coordinates since they are hidden. However, if you decide to answer to an offer, the privacy is broken.

1. Information regarding the member.
2. Information regarding the location and the characteristics of your home.
3. Neighbourhood, surrounding area, places to visit.
4. Specific requirement regarding the exchange.
5. When and where you wish to exchange.

Example :

1. We are a family of 4 people including 2 children of 10 and 12 years. Paul works as data-processing engineer, I am a teacher. We usually speak 2 languages, English and German, but we’ll be very happy to receive your proposals written in any other language.

2. We live London. Our house is located downtown in the western district of Kensington which offers many outstanding sites like the Royal Albert Hall or the Gardens of Kew.

Our 140 m² house is equipped with all the modern comfort (TV/cable, Internet, washing machine, clothes dryer...). It has a living room of 36 m², a 13 m² equipped kitchen, 2 bathrooms and 4 bedrooms (6 to 8 beds) including one with a balcony.

Children can play in the private and flowered garden. We have a swimming pool too which complies with the relevant safety standards.

3. The center of London abounds with theatres, restaurants and principal attractions of the capital. It is generally possible to walk from one site to another and you will find your way easily while discovering the city.

4. We are no smokers and don’t have any pets. Anyway we agree to accept both in our home. Moreover, and if you wish, our car is at your disposal during your stay.

5. We seek simultaneous exchanges during the following periods: - from October 27, 2008 to to November 8, 2008 – from December 22, 2008 to January 7, 2009 - from February 16, 2009 to March 3, 2009 - from April 12, 2009 to April 28, 2009 and from July 5, 2009 to September 1, 2009.

We remain of course opened but have a preference for France and Italy as well as an inclination for the mountains.