Viewings of your home swap

Arrange a viewing of your home swap

When you think you've found a suitable home swap you need to go and view the property to check whether it's right for you.

Visiting the property in daylight is best as you can get a good impression of what the house and surrounding area is really like.

Don't be afraid to look behind furniture, in cupboards etc. Pay particular attention to the condition of the bathroom suite and fittings and the kitchen units.

You might want to visit at different times to see what it is like so you get no surprises when you swap homes! Visit on weekdays and at the weekend, just after school finished, early in the morning etc to get a good feel for the atmosphere of the neighbourhood.

Take a detour on the way home from work, see how long it takes you to get there, is it far from friends family?

Leave the children with a babysitter while you go ans have a look at the property, this will allow you to look properly and see if it is suitable for you.

Do take a good look around the area and ask the current tenant lots of questions. Remember this will be your new home, it has got to be the right place for you. So if you need to be close to a doctor, go and take a look at where it is, ask the tenant which way is the quickest way to go etc.

Really try and picture yourself living here, will your furniture look right? Will you all be able to sit up the table in the kitchen for tea? Will the children like their new bedrooms?

What will the tenant be leaving? Carpets, curtains, appliances. Agree in writing with the tenant the items that will be left in the property for you so there is no confusion later.

Think about your personal safety when viewing home swaps

Here are a few tips to help you make sure you are safe, this is not an exhaustive list but gives you an idea of the kind of things you can do to make sure you are safe. Please do exercise caution and be aware that you are responsible for your own personal safety.

• Always plan your journey in advance and check bus and train times. If practical, order a taxi to come to the property you are viewing at a set time, or arrange for someone to collect you at a pre-arranged time.
• View the property in daylight.
• Take someone along with you.
• If you can't take a friend, leave the following details with a friend or in an obvious place in your own home or call your own answer machine with the details:
  • Where you are going (address and telephone number)
  • The time of the viewing
  • The name of the person you are meeting
• Ask the person you are meeting if there will be someone else there when you view the property. Don't be ashamed to say that you are aware of your own personal safety and need to know as many details as possible so that you can inform a friend of your whereabouts.
• Don't accept a lift before or after viewing a property - no matter how tempting the offer.
• Carry a personal alarm on you.
• Bring your mobile phone and keep it switched on and in a safe place, out of view. If you don't have one, see if you can borrow one.
• Use the mobile phone to log someone in. Phone a friend/relative to say "Hi, just to let you know I've arrived at .. and Mr (or Mrs).. is showing me around. I'll meet you in 20 minutes, but give me a ring if I'm running late."
• Trust your instincts. If you have a funny feeling about something, leave straight away.
• Be prepared with an excuse to leave before attending the viewing (feeling sick/room sizes not big enough/too large for your needs. Be polite about the property you are viewing).

Things to take to the viewing of the home swap

• Map - so you can get a feel for the area and take a walk around
• Tape measure - so you can measure room sizes, doorways, check if your furniture will fit
• Camera - ask the tenant if they mind if you take a few photos, it's nice to go home and take a look through these to remember what the property was like.
• Property details - If you have found your swap on a home swap website print the details and take them with you.
• Pen - so you can make notes.
• List of questions - what's the neighbourhood like? Where is the closest school etc.

Condition of the property

• When you sign the new tenancy agreement, you are agreeing to accept the property in the condition that it's in, so do have a good look around the house when you visit to make sure that you are happy.
• If you are not happy with anything, talk to the current tenants as they may agree to put this right, if they are interested in swapping homes with you. Your landlord is not responsible for decoration and other damage if it was like this when you moved in.

Is this the right property for you?

Will your landlord let you swap homes with this tenant? - Is it the right size for you? Have you got rent arrears. Take a look at our Can I home swap page for more info.

Different properties have different tenancies and associated costs, make sure you are aware of all of these before making your decision, ask your landlord for assistance.