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Practical tips from people who've been through the swap process — get more views, more messages, and find your match faster.
We've been through the home swap process ourselves, and we know how frustrating it is to wait weeks without a single enquiry. The truth is, most listings that struggle aren't bad properties — they're just badly presented. A few small changes can make an enormous difference.
More messages for listings with 5+ labelled photos
More views when all features and filters are filled in
Of tenants say photos are the first thing they check
Your photos are the single biggest factor in whether someone clicks through to your listing or scrolls past it. You don't need a professional camera — a modern phone is absolutely fine — but you do need to put a bit of thought into it.
Open all curtains and blinds. Midday or early afternoon light makes rooms look bigger and brighter. Avoid flash — it creates harsh shadows and makes rooms look cold.
Clear worktops, tidy away shoes and coats, make beds. You're not staging a show home — just remove the everyday mess. People need to imagine their furniture in the space.
Don't skip the bathroom or the hallway. Missing rooms make people suspicious — they'll assume you're hiding something. Include the garden and any outside space too.
This is the image that appears in search results. A clear exterior shot tells people instantly what type of property it is and what condition it's in.
When you upload, label each photo (Kitchen, Living Room, Bedroom 1, Garden, etc.). Labelled photos help people navigate your listing quickly and show you've made an effort.
Your description doesn't need to be long or fancy — it just needs to be honest and helpful. Think about what you'd want to know if you were looking at someone else's listing.
Be honest. If your place has a quirk or a downside, mention it. People respect honesty, and it avoids wasted viewings where someone turns up and is disappointed. A genuine description builds trust.
Your urgency setting tells other tenants how quickly you need to move. People searching often filter by urgency, so getting this right means you show up in the right searches.
You need to move as soon as possible — overcrowding, safety, or other pressing reasons.
You'd like to move but can wait for the right match. Most listings use this.
Happy where you are but open to the right opportunity if it comes along.
This is the one most people skip, and it costs them views. When someone searches for a property with a garden, driveway, or lift access, your listing only appears if you've actually ticked those boxes. Empty features means invisible in filtered searches.
Go to your listing editor and make sure you've filled in:
The more you fill in, the more searches you appear in. It takes five minutes and can double your visibility.
Your swap preferences tell us where you want to move, what size property you need, and what features matter to you. We use this to calculate match percentages and recommend listings that actually suit you.
When another tenant views your listing, we show them a match percentage based on how well your property fits what they're looking for — and how well theirs fits what you want. Good preferences on both sides mean higher match scores, which means better recommendations and more meaningful enquiries. Without preferences set, your match scores will be lower across the board.
A stale listing is almost as bad as no listing. We send you a reminder after 30 days to confirm you're still looking — please respond to it. Listings that go 60 days without confirmation are automatically unpublished.
Confirm you're still looking when we ask. It takes one click and keeps your listing visible.
Update your photos if you've made improvements. New kitchen? Fresh paint? Show it off.
Revise your description seasonally — mention the garden in summer, the cosy heating in winter.
Respond to messages promptly. Active users get prioritised in search results. If someone messages you and you don't reply, they'll move on.
If your phone camera is smudged or the room is dark, take the photo again. One clear photo is worth ten blurry ones.
A listing with just a postcode and bedroom count tells people nothing. Even three sentences about the area and the property make a massive difference.
Setting "Urgent" when you're not actually in a rush can put people off — they'll expect you to move fast. Be accurate.
One photo of the living room doesn't cut it. People want to see the whole property before they get in touch. Aim for at least 5 photos — more is better.
Without preferences, your match percentages will be low and you won't appear in recommendations. It takes two minutes to set them up.
We recommend at least 5, covering every room plus the exterior and any outside space. Premium members can upload up to 15 photos. Free accounts can upload 3 — if you need more, Premium is free until September 2026.
Absolutely not. A modern smartphone is more than good enough. Just follow the tips above — natural light, tidy rooms, and clear angles. That's all you need.
We recommend reviewing it at least once a month. Update photos if you've made changes, adjust your description seasonally, and always respond to the 30-day confirmation email to keep your listing active.
A clear exterior shot of the front of your property in daylight. This is what people see in search results, so make it count. Avoid photos taken at night or in heavy rain.
Yes. Many tenants use filters when searching — garden, parking, adapted property, pets allowed. If you haven't ticked those boxes, your listing won't appear in those filtered searches even if your property qualifies.
Yes, you can edit everything at any time — photos, description, features, preferences. Go to your dashboard and click Edit on your listing, or visit your swap preferences to update what you're looking for.
Put these tips into practice today. A few minutes updating your photos, description, and preferences can be the difference between waiting months and finding your match.
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