Matching Houses

Sample Agreements


Sample letter of introduction - when you have seen somewhere you like and want to make initial contact.

Dear xxxx
Having seen your listing in MatchingHouses.com, we would be very interested in seeing if it would be possible to arrange a swap, possibly in the spring or early summer of next year. We live in Cornwall, England in a fairly modern bungalow set just outside a small village about three miles from the coastal town of Penzance. Our home has been adapted for my needs as a wheelchair user with shallow ramps up to the front and back doors, wide doors and a wheel-in shower room.
As a popular tourist destination, West Cornwall has a lot of attractions many of which are fully accessible as well as being a beautiful part of the world to stay in.

If you think you might be interested in setting up a swap, please make contact with us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Yours,
xxxx

Sample letter of confirmation - after communicating by email and ‘phone and exchanging fact sheets, you will hopefully feel happy with each other and have agreed verbally on a number of points. This letter shows how you might want to proceed with making a more formal arrangement.

Dear xxxx
We are very excited about our forthcoming house swap in xxxmonth of year200x.
This letter is to confirm our intention to enter into a house swap agreement and to confirm all the points we have agreed to regarding the swap, namely:
1. We agree to a house swap between the dates of xxxx and xxxx inclusive.
2. We will treat your home in the same manner we expect you to treat ours.
3. We will provide each other with the names and telephone numbers of a close friend and service people in the event of an emergency.
4. We will provide each other with detailed instructions for the available appliances and equipment in our homes.
5. We will make room for each other's personal belongings (ie drawer and wardrobe space).
6. Any long distance calls will be reimbursed in full, while utilities will be paid by the owner. The guest will cover any small repairs.
7. We will replace basic food staples and paper products we use that were left in the house.
8. We will pay for the cost of your house cleaning service and you ours, during the exchange.
9. We will make sure that all towels and bed linens are clean and put away before we leave.
10. We will water the plants.
11. We have agreed to exchange automobiles. (See separate agreement.)

Should any other issues arise from now on, please let us know so we can resolve them as soon as possible.
This letter contains our entire agreement and may be amended only in writing. If the above meets with your approval please return one signed copy of this letter of confirmation and retain one for your files.
Agreed by:

Signed: ______________________________(your name)

Date: ____________________

Signed: ______________________________ (name of person you are swapping with)

Date: ____________________

 

Sample vehicle exchange agrreement - car exchanges are becoming more popular amongst house swappers. It can be very convenient as it saves the bother and expense of renting a car, especially if you require adaptations.

Dear xxxx,
With this letter, we intend to enter into a vehicle exchange agreement along with our house swap. We have agreed to an exchange of vehicles for the duration of our house swap subject to the following conditions:
1. We will limit mileage to 1,000 (adjust accordingly) free miles. Each additional mile will be 10 pence (adjust accordingly) per mile.
2. Each of us will arrange adequate insurance in advance and provide a copy of the policy to the other person.
3. Each of us will be responsible for obtaining our own International Driver's License(s).
4. Driver(s) of the vehicle will be 25 years of age or older.
5. We will provide each other with the names of the drivers, their ages, and their driver's license numbers.
6. We will provide each other with the name, address, and phone number of our respective car insurance companies.
7. We will provide each other with the name, address, and phone number of our respective garage mechanics.
8. Car registration and insurance will be placed in a labeled envelope in the glove compartment along with a signed copy of this agreement and a letter of permission for us to drive each other's vehicle for a stated period of time.
9. We will provide each other with breakdown cover information or any other like service that may be available in our respective location.
10. We will provide each other with detailed instructions on use of car alarms.
11. We will not drink alcohol and drive.
12. We will check oil, water, and tires of each other's vehicle if driving more than 3000 miles.
13. We will leave each other's cars cleaned, washed, and with a full tank of petrol.

We agree that the above covers all the arrangements we've discussed over the past several weeks/months.
Should any other issues arise from now on, please let us know so we can resolve them as soon as possible.

Agreed by:

Signed: ______________________________(your name)

Date: ____________________

Signed: ______________________________ (name of person you are swapping with)

Date: ____________________