Terms of Use
By using HomeSwap, you agree to these Terms of Use (“Terms”). Please read them carefully.
- What is HomeSwap?HomeSwap is a community where members (“Members”) exchange homes using points (“Points”). Hosts earn Points when they host, and can use Points to stay in other members’ homes.The number of Points earned or spent depends on the home, the season, and other factors set by HomeSwap.
- Membership
- You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid email address.
- Your home must be your main residence or a home you are allowed to swap.
- HomeSwap may verify your home and identity before approving your account.
- You are responsible for keeping your profile and calendar accurate and up-to-date.
- Home Swapping
- Points are earned when hosting and spent when booking stays.
- The Points value of each stay is shown clearly before you confirm a booking.
- If you cancel a confirmed stay, cancellation rules apply (see Section 5).
- Payments
- HomeSwap charges a service fee for each stay, and sometimes a cleaning fee.
- Fees are shown at booking and are non-refundable unless stated otherwise.
- Responsibilities
- Hosts must offer a clean, safe, and accurately described home.
- Guests must treat homes respectfully and leave them in the same condition as found.
- Members are responsible for any companions, pets, or visitors they bring.
- HomeSwap’s Role
HomeSwap provides the platform but is not a party to the agreements between Hosts and Guests. We do not own or manage any homes.
- Insurance and Risk
- Members are encouraged to have their own insurance coverage.
- Use of HomeSwap is at your own risk. HomeSwap is not responsible for injury, loss, or damage.
- Termination
HomeSwap may suspend or terminate your membership if you break these Terms or misuse the platform.
- Changes to Terms
HomeSwap may update these Terms. We will inform you about significant changes. Continued use means you accept the updated Terms.
- Contact
Questions? Contact us at info@homeswap.com.
Code of Conduct
At HomeSwap, trust and respect are the heart of everything we do. This Code of Conduct sets the standards for all our members to create a safe, kind, and reliable community.
By using HomeSwap, you agree to follow these guidelines. Violations can lead to suspension or removal from HomeSwap.
Our Core Values
- Respect each other: Treat every home and every member with care and kindness.
- Be honest and clear: Communicate openly, respond promptly, and share any issues early.
- Give back to the community: Hosting and staying both build trust. Give the experience you hope to receive.
- Protect privacy: Respect each other’s homes and personal information.
When You Are a Guest
- Treat the home better than your own.
- Follow the host’s house rules and check-in/check-out times.
- Don’t open private areas or use personal items.
- Report any damages immediately.
- Ask permission before inviting guests, pets, or hosting gatherings.
When You Are a Host
- Keep your home safe, clean, and ready for guests.
- Provide clear and honest information about your home.
- Be responsive to booking requests and questions.
- Respect your guest’s privacy (no indoor cameras during stays).
- Only cancel trips when absolutely necessary.
Community Behavior
- Stay kind and professional in all chats, emails, and calls.
- No discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate behavior.
- No arranging bookings or payments outside of HomeSwap.
What Happens If the Code Is Violated?
- We review all complaints fairly and confidentially.
- Accounts may be paused during an investigation.
- Honest mistakes usually lead to coaching and feedback.
- Serious or repeated violations may lead to permanent removal.
Major Violations
- Endangering health or safety.
- Illegal activities.
- Lying or hiding important information.
- Harassment or discrimination.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change and that’s okay. However, we ask all members to consider the impact of canceling a confirmed home swap. Cancellations can disrupt others’ plans and affect the trust and reliability that make our community thrive. By honoring your commitments, you help ensure a dependable and respectful experience for everyone.
Guest Cancellations
Guests may cancel trips, but depending on the timing, some or all of the points may be transferred to the host as a form of consideration.
- Free cancellation: Cancel up to 30 days before check-in, or within 24 hours of booking confirmation, with no impact on your account.
- Moderate impact: Cancellations made between 15–30 days before check-in will result in 25% of the booking points being transferred to the host (up to a maximum of 14 nights points).
- Full impact: Cancellations made less than 15 days before check-in will result in 100% of the booking points being transferred to the host (up to 14 nights points). If you cancel within 24 hours of check-in, the stay is considered forfeited.
Host Cancellations
We recognize that things come up - but host cancellations can significantly affect guests’ travel plans. Here’s how we handle them:
- Free cancellation: Hosts may cancel up to 30 days before guest arrival or within 24 hours of confirming a booking, with no penalty.
- Moderate impact: Cancellations made between 15–30 days before arrival will result in 25% of the originally assigned points being transferred to the guest (up to 14 night points).
- Full impact: Cancellations made less than 15 days before check-in will result in 100% of the points being transferred to the guest (up to 14 nights points), and the host’s calendar will be blocked for those dates.
Excessive Cancellations
- If a member cancels two or more confirmed swaps within a 12-month period, we reserve the right to pause or terminate their membership.
- We may take additional action if we believe a cancellation was unnecessary or unreasonable, including temporary suspension or permanent removal from the platform.
Trip Adjustments
If a guest needs to make changes to their stay:
- Trips can be extended with host approval. Additional nights require additional points.
- If a guest shortens their stay more than 30 days before check-in, the difference in points will be refunded.
- If shortened within 30 days of check-in, the host still receives the original number of points.
If a host needs to adjust a booking after confirmation:
- Reducing the length of a guest’s stay is treated as a partial cancellation and is subject to the same cancellation terms.
We understand that certain situations are beyond your control. In the event of a qualifying extenuating circumstance, members may submit documentation, and we may waive cancellation impacts at our discretion. This includes:
- Serious illness or injury (with medical documentation)
- Death of the guest, host, or immediate family member
- Natural disasters or major utility outages
- Government-imposed travel restrictions or sudden visa/passport issues
- Armed conflict, terrorism, or civil unrest
Please note: personal reasons, work-related schedule changes, or general travel disruptions (like airline cancellations) are not considered extenuating.