Exchanges of houses, an alternative to too expensive holidays

Points rather than prices – Exchanges houses, alternative too expensive

The reciprocal exchange of house is not the only possibility for traveling. Consequently, There is also the non -reciprocal exchange. Consequently, A person then stays with someone without him being present, by paying with points. Furthermore, A system used by certain platforms. Similarly, such as Homeexchange, Kindred or People Like Us, while others operate only by exchange, such as intervac or homelink.

A certain number of points is assigned to each house according to its location, its specificities, its number of rooms … Consequently, and the inhabitant earns points when he leaves his house to a traveler. Meanwhile, He can then spend them: “We left last year to All Saints’ Day. Furthermore, we had a family weekend in Paris. For example, There, however, the Parisians did not come to us but we exchanges houses, alternative too expensive paid them with points“, Says Séverine.

Dare

For Séverine. However, the drawbacks are rather those encountered during the reservation: “It takes a little time because sometimes we have to contact ten people to find one who agrees to come, to make an exchange“. However, A process to find the rare pearl which requires patience. and often to contact much more than ten people to validate an exchange.”The people who are on the site do not answer right away. so research sometimes takes a little bit of time“.

€ 128 per day to travel to Belgium: what are the cheapest countries in the world?

So if leaving your house to strangers can be doubted. this principle of exchange of houses encourages direct and regular discussions between the inhabitants. “”During the stay we regularly send messages to say what we did during the day. Like that. we inform about how it goes in our house and it is also reassuring to have news of those who are with us“Explains Séverine. A way to reassure. but also to empower:”We want to be respectful simultaneously, because the people in whom we are, are with us. We take care of the house as if it was ours because. necessarily, we would like others to do the same“.

Pour 2025 “More than 443,000 exchanges are already planned, 40 % more than in 2024 at the same period “, Says Homeexchange.

Lend your house temporarily, blind confidence?

Even (or especially) during the holidays, exchanges houses, alternative too expensive to protect your home (breakage, fire, water damage, etc.), it is recommended to ensure.

The house exchange platforms offer guarantees: “The annual subscription of 175 euros covers all the guarantees. provides protection for both guests and hosts, explains Homeexchange. For guests, this is protection against the cancellation of the exchange. Hosts are also protected by a warranty against damage and theft“.

Never too cautious

In Belgium, two insurances cover the exchanges of the house. First. classic home insurance, which covers certain damage “does not automatically cover the damage caused by a temporary occupant, except specific clause“, Assurances explains to us, the professional union of insurance companies. Then, family civil liability (RC). But beware. “The exchange of house must remain non -profit, otherwise it can be requalified as a rental, which could delete certain covers“.

Are you going on vacation soon? In addition to travel assistance. these insurances could be useful to you

Due to the absence of insurance dedicated to the exchange of houses, exchanges houses, alternative too expensive “It is important to always advise insured to check their general conditions with their broker, in order to be sure to benefit from the coverage and avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a sinister“Recalls Axa Belgium.

AG Insurance highlights the usefulness of legal protection insurance: “It makes it possible to defend the interests. of the insured in the event of a dispute on the material damage of a third party“.

And in the event of a house outside the European Union “You must check the local obligations. check whether the platform offers international coverage, possibly subscribe to travel insurance with civil liability abroad, and ask the other party to provide a valid insurance certificate in their country“warns assuralia.