Swapped homes with strangers, £6,000 saved on two holidays
When Henry and Ellie Vanderpump swapped their Cheshire family home with a German and a Danish family, they turned the idea of staying in a stranger’s house into a money‑saving adventure.
They covered two trips since 2022, staying in properties of similar size to their five‑bedroom rural home in Tarporley. By paying only the annual Home Link subscription fee and swapping cars, each holiday saved about £2,500 in accommodation and £700 in transport. “Now we have two holidays a summer because of the savings,” Henry says.
According to Home Link, last‑minute bookings struggle to secure an agreement, and hosts recommend posting clear listings with plenty of photos and information, keeping the home tidy, and booking a comprehensive guide for guests.
May Burrough and Petra Novak – Londoners who travel through home exchange platforms – claim they’ve saved up to £20,000. “I always check the social media of prospective guests,” says Burrough. “A good introduction makes it feel like a community rather than strangers in my house.”
The Association of British Insurers advises hosts to confirm that their insurance covers guests, and travelers to verify that their personal insurance covers accidental damage while staying in another property.
