SwapMyFlat
Home Exchange Agreement Template (International)
Why put your home exchange in writing?
Swapping your apartment or house is awesome, but it requires a good dose of trust. The thing is, trust doesn't prevent little hiccups! A smooth exchange often comes down to silly details, especially on the big moving day. The contract isn't there to police anyone, but just to get everyone on the same page: who handles what, what time we cross paths, and above all, what's the plan B if someone is late.
By laying it all out from the start, you get rid of 90% of the stress. Whether you're going on vacation for a week or it's a real life change, this little piece of paper will be your best ally.
The must-haves for your agreement
A good little contract (even a homemade one) should cover these points:
- Who's who: Make sure you have the real contact info of the other person (a working cell number and an emergency contact is the bare minimum).
- The timing: Exact arrival and departure dates and times. Be precise!
- The bills: Who pays for water, electricity, or gas during the exchange? Now's the time to talk about it.
- House rules: Smoker? Non-smoker? Is the dog allowed on the couch?
- Cleaning: Do you need to call a pro before leaving, or is a good vacuuming enough?
A ready-to-use template to copy-paste
No need to reinvent the wheel! Here is a classic template you can tweak to your needs. It's super handy if you're swapping abroad or for a long period.
LITTLE HOME EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN US: [Your Full Name], (Party A) AND [Partner's Full Name], (Party B)
1. WHEN ARE WE SWAPPING?: This agreement covers our exchange from [Start Date] at [Time] until [End Date] at [Time].
2. WHERE IS IT HAPPENING:
A's Place: [Full address, + access codes/wifi if needed]
B's Place: [Full address, + access codes/wifi if needed]
3. INVENTORY: We'll do a quick walkthrough (with photos) on arrival and departure, just for peace of mind.
4. THE BILLS: During the exchange, everyone pays for their own usage (water, electricity, gas, internet) as agreed. We'll snap a quick picture of the meters on the big day.
5. HOUSE RULES:
- Smoking: [Allowed / Outside only / Prohibited]
- Pets: [Allowed / Prohibited / Specify the pet]
- Subletting: Obviously, that's a no.
- Neighbors: We avoid blasting music after [Time].
6. INSURANCE: We both have up-to-date home insurance. If something breaks, we let each other know right away (within 24 hours max).
7. THE BIG DAY (THE LOGISTICS):
- A arrives at B's: around [HH:MM]
- B arrives at A's: around [HH:MM]
- The keys: [How are we doing this? Lockbox, neighbor, in person?]
- If A has an emergency, call: [Name + Phone]
- If B has an emergency, call: [Name + Phone]
8. THE UNEXPECTED: If one of us cancels at the last minute (except for emergencies), they agree to compensate the other for expenses incurred (flights, etc.). We're counting on everyone's common sense!
Done in good spirits,
On [Date].
Signature A: __________________ Signature B: __________________
The last-minute checklist before signing
Take 5 minutes to double-check:
- ID: A quick pic of the ID card is always reassuring.
- Insurance: Quickly check that your policy covers guests.
- Plan B: Trains run late, planes too. Always have a backup plan for the keys (a friendly neighbor or a lockbox).
- The house manual: How do you turn on the oven? What day is trash day? Put together a little welcome guide, it's always super appreciated!
In short
Writing up a little contract isn't about being suspicious, it's just about making your life easier. Once it's done, you don't have to think about it anymore and you can fully enjoy your SwapMyFlat adventure!
Quick note: This template is here to help, but it's not a legal document. Feel free to tweak it to your liking and according to your country's rules!
Author of this article : SwapMyFlat Team
The SwapMyFlat team shares its expertise to help you succeed in your home exchange.
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