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What the match score means, how it's calculated, and how to get better matches when searching for a home swap.
Every listing in your search results shows a match percentage. This is a two-way compatibility score that tells you how well your swap preferences align with another tenant's property — and how well their preferences align with yours.
A high match percentage means both sides are likely to be interested in a swap. A low percentage means one or both of you are looking for something different. The score saves you time by surfacing the listings most likely to lead to a successful exchange.
You want a 3-bed house in Croydon, and you have a 2-bed flat in Lewisham. Another tenant has a 3-bed house in Croydon — great for you. But if they want a 3-bed house in Manchester, your flat in Lewisham is not what they are after. The match percentage reflects both sides of this equation.
The match score is weighted in two parts: 60% based on what you want (does their property match your swap preferences?) and 40% based on what they want (does your property match their swap preferences?). We weight your side slightly higher because you are the one searching.
Within each side, the score is built from five factors, each worth a set number of points out of 100:
Is the property in or near the area you want to move to?
Does the bedroom count match what you are looking for?
House, flat, maisonette, bungalow — does it match?
Garden, driveway, garage, adapted, pets allowed, and more.
Purchase rights, rent range, age restrictions, and other details.
A mutual exchange only works if both tenants agree. There is no point finding the perfect property if the person living there has zero interest in your home. By factoring in both sides, the match percentage gives you a realistic picture of whether a swap could actually happen.
This is what sets match percentages apart from a simple search filter. Filters tell you what is available. The match score tells you what is achievable.
Match percentages are colour-coded so you can quickly scan your search results:
Strong alignment on both sides. These are your best leads — reach out first.
Some overlap, but not everything lines up. Still worth a look — you might find common ground.
Limited compatibility. One or both of you want something quite different.
The match score only works if the system knows what you want. Go to Swap Preferences and tell us your ideal area, bedrooms, property type, and must-have features. Without preferences, you get a neutral score — it does not penalise you, but it does not help either.
If your property has a garden, driveway, or garage, make sure it is listed. Other tenants who want those features will get a higher match with you. Missing features mean missed points.
If you only want to move to one specific postcode, your matches will be limited. Consider adding a wider radius or multiple areas — the more flexible you are, the more green matches you will see.
When you search for listings, the match percentage appears on every result card. You can also see it on the full listing detail page, where it is shown alongside a breakdown of what is contributing to the score.
Use the sort dropdown to order results by match percentage, highest first. This puts your most compatible swaps right at the top.
Toggle the 50%+ matches only filter to hide listings below 50%. This is useful when you have lots of results and want to focus on the most promising ones.
The score is two-way. Their property might be exactly what you want, but if your property does not match what they are looking for, the overall percentage drops. Check their listing to see what area and property type they want — that will tell you where the gap is.
If you have not filled in your swap preferences, the system treats your side as neutral. You will not be penalised, but you will not get the benefit of higher scores on listings that match what you want. We strongly recommend setting your preferences to get meaningful match percentages.
On the listing detail page, you can see the match percentage and the key factors contributing to it. This helps you understand whether the gap is about area, bedrooms, property type, or features.
No. The match percentage is a guide based on the preferences both tenants have entered. It does not account for personal circumstances, landlord decisions, or factors outside the platform. A high match means the basics align — it is a strong starting point, not a guarantee.
If you are not logged in, or if neither you nor the other tenant has set swap preferences, a match percentage cannot be calculated. Sign in and set your preferences to see scores on every listing.
Yes. Match percentages are calculated in real time based on current preferences. If you update your wanted area or bedroom count, your match scores across all listings will update the next time you search.
Set your swap preferences to unlock meaningful match scores. The more the system knows about what you want, the better your results.
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