Would you swap homes with a stranger? One in four Brits say yes

Would you hand over the keys to your home to a stranger while you head off on holiday? Our research found that almost a quarter (24%) of Brits would.*

Swapcations (also known as home swapping or house swapping) are a growing travel trend where two parties mutually exchange homes for holidays or short stays, often at low cost or no cost at all.

In this guide, we explore why home swapping is growing in popularity, the destinations attracting the most interest, and what to check with your home insurance before you welcome swap guests into your property.

The world’s most popular swapcation destinations:

To understand where swapcations are most in demand, we analysed 561,924 home exchange listings to reveal the most popular swap locations.

Paris tops the rankings with more than 30,000 listings, followed by Barcelona and Berlin. London is the highest-ranked UK city, placing fifth globally.

The UK’s house swapping hot spots

While London is the UK’s most sought-after swapcation destination, demand stretches well beyond the capital.

Historic hubs including Edinburgh, York, Bath and Oxford also rank highly, suggesting travellers are drawn to destinations rich in culture, heritage and character.

Why are more people choosing house swaps and are they safe?

Our research shows younger generations are the most tempted by home swapping, with 49% of 18–24-year-olds and 48% of 25–34-year-olds saying they would consider it.

Cost is the biggest driver: almost a quarter (24%) say saving money on accommodation would be the main appeal, while one in five (20%) say rising travel costs are making traditional holidays harder to afford.

Beyond affordability, comfort and experience also play a role, 22% are attracted by the chance to have more space and home comforts, and 19% are intrigued to try a different style of travel.

But while interest is high, caution remains.. Nearly a quarter (23%) cite security and privacy concerns, 20% feel uncomfortable with other people accessing private areas of their home, and14% worry about insurance gaps..

These risks can often be managed by using reputable home exchange platforms, carrying out checks, and confirming that your insurance covers home exchanges before you travel.

Why is insurance so important for those considering a swap?

It’s important to know that having swap guests in your home - even through a reputable platform - can affect your insurance cover.

Contents insurance typically covers your belongings against theft, loss or damage, while buildings insurance covers the physical structure of your property. Many policies combine both types of cover, it's important to check the details carefully.

• Standard policies typically exclude situations involving:

• Temporary occupants

• Paying guests

• Letting arrangements

• Extended periods when the property is unoccupied

These restrictions may still apply even if no money changes hands during the swap.

Should you tell your insurer about a home swap?

Yes, if you are planning a home exchange, you should always notify your insurer. If you don’t, your policy could be invalidated and hiding the fact from your insurer when making a claim can be considered insurance fraud.

Keeping your insurer informed protects your cover, particularly if something serious happens while you are away, such as a fire or flood. Some insurers may be willing to temporarily extend your cover in exchange for a higher premium or excess.

Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert

Our expert says:

“If you have accidental damage cover included with your home insurance policy, it is unlikely to cover any damages caused by your house guests, but by talking to your insurer, you may be able to retain your standard buildings or contents cover while you’re away. You may need to pay a higher premium in exchange for this, or your insurer may temporarily increase your policy’s excess while you are away. The alternative is to purchase specialist cover specifically for home swapping and house sitting to get comprehensive protection for your home and belongings during a house swap. With more people turning to house swapping as a budget-friendly option, ensuring you’re fully protected is key to avoiding having to pay out for damage or replacements out of your own pocket.”

Anyone worried about security and privacy, are advised to follow Kara’s top tips on protecting their properties:

1. Gather evidence: “Take photos of key areas of your home and any valuable belongings before the swap. This could help support any insurance claims if you need to make one.”

2. Secure your gear: "Put high-value items like jewellery, cash and sentimental belongings in a locked drawer or safe or, ideally, remove them from the property.”

3. Protect your digital privacy: “Log out of personal accounts on electronic devices that guests will have access to - such as TVs or tablets to protect your personal details.”

4. Consider extra security: ”If you can, introduce added security devices such as CCTV cameras or smart doorbells for extra peace of mind.”

5. Check safety essentials: “Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors work properly, and that outdoor lighting is functioning.”

6. Remove personal information: ”Avoid leaving personal paperwork visible, including post, paperwork, documents containing financial details and photos.”.

Sources

*Research conducted by Censuswide surveying 1,000 UK adults in May 2026.