Mutual exchange top tips

1. Use the right photos
The quality of photos on your property’s listing will make a huge impact on the number of
viewings you receive. Before you take the photographs, you may want to tidy the rooms and
ensure that no clutter can be seen.

2. Give a good description
When describing your property make sure that the information you give is clear and accurate –
the potential “exchangers” are relying on your information. For example, if it’s on a bus route,
near a school, supermarket or doctor’s surgery it is worth pointing this out as other people may not know the area as well as you do.

3. Look at the details
Pay attention to the details – clean/tidy and think of the garden as another room in the house:
sweep up and weed. It’s important for potential swappers to be able to see how their items will
look in a property and it’s easier to do that if rooms are free of too many items.

4. Be flexible
Try and be as flexible as possible about the area and type of property you are willing to consider as this will increase your chances of finding a suitable swap partner.

5. See things in the light of day
Arrange viewings in daylight hours. It’s always better to show and view a property in the light of day, so that nothing is unintentionally hidden or missed in the darkness.

6. Stay safe
If possible, host the viewing / view a property with a partner or a friend. If that is not possible let them know where you are.

7. Be smart about personal information
Do not give out unnecessary information, such as the names and ages of your children.

8. Trust your instincts

Don’t dismiss any gut feelings you get about a property. They can often by important indicators that something’s not quite right. Listen to your instincts and let them support any decisions you might be thinking of making.

9. Don’t be tempted to take short-cuts
Do not give or receive money or goods to secure an exchange, or exchange without your
landlord’s permission. This will only lead to much bigger problems later on.