Digital Nomad House Swapping – Common Rules to Follow
Digital Nomad House Swapping: For now, membership is free. The website is an introduction site. You upload your property details, including good photos and the general area you live in. Others will do the same. Then you can search for where you want to go. When you find a match, you can swap emails and move the conversation off the site.
Digital Nomad House Swapping: After the Swap
After you decide on a swap, the best thing you can do is make up a “manual’ for your property. That is, a guide to everything people need to know. This could include things like how to turn on the heating, how to turn on aircon, how to access Netflix, the wifi passwords, what friend or relative to call if they have problems, how to catch public transport into town, and what are the best bars, shops, or other places around. What things should they see while there, and what friends can show them around the city! A good idea is to create a group chat for everyone involved in the swap. This way you can ask questions as you go along and everyone is updated.
One of the great pleasures of swapping is to add each other on social media. That way, you can watch each other enjoy the swap. It’s truly such a delight!
Be sure to include local quirks… for example, in Australia, the checkout staff pack your bags in the supermarket. In Ireland, you have to pack it yourself, which is always a shock to Australians!
Swapping Keys and Cars
If you are swapping cars, then some information on how to drive your car would be helpful. And, details about how you have added them to your insurance as a named driver, who to call if anything happens like a breakdown.
Key swapping is important. Are you going to post each other keys first? Or will you leave them at the lost luggage desk at the airport? Or in a safe place in the garden? At every airport there is a luggage desk that lets you leave a package for others, usually for a small fee of around $10.
Maybe you only live two hours away from each other and are just swapping with someone from the next city. Will you meet for a coffee first to swap keys?
It is a good idea to have a cupboard in your home that locks with a key. You can put all of your valuables in there, or that bottle of whiskey that your Nan gave you, or simply things you want to keep private. The other thing you can do is put anything valuable at a relative’s house.
Be sure to video chat the other swappers before you go, and make sure you have all the information you need. Happy swapping!
