Trust & Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few ways you can check out that we are real and that we are legitimate:
- Swapoffi is a trading name of Tarotto Ltd. Tarotto is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland and our company registration number is 700627.
- The two registered directors of Swapoffi are Sandra Jimenez Marin and Denise Doran. We have legal obligations as directors of a limited company that we take seriously. If we do not adhere to these, we could be imprisoned or fined. Our professional reputations would also be seriously damaged.
- The About Us page of our website shows our photographs, our full names and our professional biographies. These can be verified on our Linked In profiles also.
We know that verification matters most to our members. So, we use a four-part verification process for your peace of mind:
- Verify the person
- identity: we ask to see a passport or another form of national identity
- address: we ask to see recent utility bills and bank statements with matching address for the home listed
- email: we check that a submitted email is valid
- Verify the home
- home status: we ask to see a copy of a utility bill or bank statement matching your name to the property address.
- home: we ask for photos, and if possible a video.
- Verify the home office
- home office features: some of us have a desk and office chair in a corner of a room, others have dedicated home offices. Each working space in a home is different. We respect that and value that. We just ask that you are honest in your description of your home office space, and its features.
We require photographs or a video from you to verify this, for the benefit of other members.
- home office features: some of us have a desk and office chair in a corner of a room, others have dedicated home offices. Each working space in a home is different. We respect that and value that. We just ask that you are honest in your description of your home office space, and its features.
- Verify the Wi-Fi signal and strength
- As our members are people who work whilst they travel, Wi-Fi is essential in our homes require a recent bill from your internet provider for your Swapoffi property to verify Wi-Fi.
We are data driven marketing and ecommerce professionals with decades of experience. We love data but we also respect it. We treat the legalities of data very seriously. We follow European GDPR legislation. This has major penalties for incorrect usage of consumer data or any violation of GDPR legislation.
The Privacy Policy on our website details how and why we use personal information.
We are 100% behind making Swapoffi a success, so we can all travel more without paying for accommodation. We very much respect and value our members, and therefore we are highly motivated to guard your personal data very carefully as outlined above.
The Privacy Policy on our website details how and why we use personal information.
We are 100% behind making Swapoffi a success, so we can all travel more without paying for accommodation. We very much respect and value our members, and therefore we are highly motivated to guard your personal data very carefully as outlined above.
We need to verify that you are a real person to protect our members.
Also, we match the profile photo you submit to the photo on your passport or ID to double-check your identity.
This way, we know you are a real person.
Also, we match the profile photo you submit to the photo on your passport or ID to double-check your identity.
This way, we know you are a real person.
We need to verify that the property you have listed on Swapoffi is your property (owned or rented). We check the name on your bills or bank statement against the name in the photo ID you have submitted for this reason. We then check that the address on the bill or bank statement matches the address for your Swapoffi listing.
This allows us to confirm that you are the rightful owner or tenant of the Swapoffi listed property.
This allows us to confirm that you are the rightful owner or tenant of the Swapoffi listed property.
Our members expect to work from any home in our community. That is how we differ from other home exchange communities. Therefore, we need proof that your home has Wi-Fi. The only way we can prove this is to see a recent copy of a bill from your internet provider.
Photos help members choose homes with workspaces that match their needs. Solo travellers might be comfortable working at a workspace in a shared room such as a living room. Others might prefer a dedicated home office. Some members travel as couples so require two working spaces.
We take our member’s privacy and the laws of data protection very seriously.
We comply with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation which provides a legal framework for keeping everyone’s personal data safe by requiring companies to have robust processes in place for handling and storing personal information.
Please see our privacy policy for more information.
We comply with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation which provides a legal framework for keeping everyone’s personal data safe by requiring companies to have robust processes in place for handling and storing personal information.
Please see our privacy policy for more information.
No. Accommodation is always free with Swapoffi. Please be wary of anyone asking you for money on our behalf, and please report this to us.
No. Accommodation is always free between members on Swapoffi. Please be wary of anyone asking you for money claiming to be part of the Swapoffi community and please report this to us.
For your protection and privacy, keep all conversations within the Swapoffi messaging platform, using our chat function. This allows you to communicate without providing your full name, address or any contact details.
We have added security for your peace of mind as we can monitor conversations.
48 hours before a confirmed swap, Swapoffi will share host and guest phone numbers and emails with each other. This is to allow members communicate when travelling and if without Wi-Fi.
We have added security for your peace of mind as we can monitor conversations.
48 hours before a confirmed swap, Swapoffi will share host and guest phone numbers and emails with each other. This is to allow members communicate when travelling and if without Wi-Fi.
No. Our focus is on building a website and a community of verified members who swap their homes without paying for accommodation.
If we extend our services to include insurance, our costs will significantly increase and we would have to increase the cost of membership. We do not want to do this.
We strongly encourage all members to communicate with their home and travel insurance providers when swapping, and to amend their policies in line with the appropriate advice for the swap time.
One potential safety measure is for members to pay a deposit, held by Swapoffi, for each swap. We will survey members to get their opinion before introducing any such measure. For now, we do not see the need for it.
If we extend our services to include insurance, our costs will significantly increase and we would have to increase the cost of membership. We do not want to do this.
We strongly encourage all members to communicate with their home and travel insurance providers when swapping, and to amend their policies in line with the appropriate advice for the swap time.
One potential safety measure is for members to pay a deposit, held by Swapoffi, for each swap. We will survey members to get their opinion before introducing any such measure. For now, we do not see the need for it.
Accidents can happen. Let your host know immediately. It is better to be honest and upfront.
If you cannot contact your host, please contact Swapoffi at [email protected].
We will always be there for you and do the very best we can to assist you, whatever your need.
If you cannot contact your host, please contact Swapoffi at [email protected].
We will always be there for you and do the very best we can to assist you, whatever your need.
This is a common question asked in all home exchange communities, particularly by those new to the concept of home exchange.
Here are some tips from experienced home exchangers to minimise risks of this happening:
Swapoffi does not assist with damage or theft. One potential safety measure is for members to pay a deposit, held by Swapoffi, for each swap. We will survey members to get their opinion before introducing any such measure. For now, we do not see the need for it.
- Secure your valuables in a locked cupboard or locked room.
- Leave valuable items with friends.
- Get to know each other before you swap. (Please do so on our community message platform for your privacy and confidentiality). You are staying in the other person's home whilst they stay in your home, so any risk runs both ways.
- After a swap, both parties are strongly encouraged to leave reviews. If anyone gets a bad review, it is unlikely they will get another swap and we will investigate if that person can continue to be a member.
- Inform your home insurance company that you are a member of a home exchange and follow their guidance about updating your policy.
Swapoffi does not assist with damage or theft. One potential safety measure is for members to pay a deposit, held by Swapoffi, for each swap. We will survey members to get their opinion before introducing any such measure. For now, we do not see the need for it.
When you are chatting with another member on our platform, you can browse the other person's user profile and home profile. You do not need to ask for links and we recommend to not open shared links.
Please do not share any links, phone numbers or email addresses on our chat platform. This is for your privacy and protection.
Please do not share any links, phone numbers or email addresses on our chat platform. This is for your privacy and protection.
No. When you are chatting with another member on our platform, you can browse the other person's user profile and home profile. You do not need to ask for links and we recommend to not open shared links.
Please do not share any links, phone numbers or email addresses on our chat platform. This is for your privacy and protection.
Please do not share any links, phone numbers or email addresses on our chat platform. This is for your privacy and protection.
Please let your host know as soon as possible of any delays to your arrival date.
You can communicate with your host directly on the Swapoffi messaging platform at all times. 48 hours before your swap, we will email you your host's contact details to allow you to communicate when travelling i.e., when potentially out of Wi-Fi signal.
If you are doing a two-way swap and this affects the person you are swapping with, we strongly recommend that you make alternate arrangements to stay with friends or family so your guest’s travel plans are not affected.
You can communicate with your host directly on the Swapoffi messaging platform at all times. 48 hours before your swap, we will email you your host's contact details to allow you to communicate when travelling i.e., when potentially out of Wi-Fi signal.
If you are doing a two-way swap and this affects the person you are swapping with, we strongly recommend that you make alternate arrangements to stay with friends or family so your guest’s travel plans are not affected.
Please contact your host directly. Swapoffi will send you your host’s contact details at least 48 hours before your trip. We ask hosts to be available and in contact at the beginning of a swap for such emergencies.
If you cannot contact your host, please contact Swapoffi at [email protected].
If you cannot contact your host, please contact Swapoffi at [email protected].
Your host should leave details of the Wi-Fi provider in their home office. If not, please contact your host directly ideally within 48 hours of your arrival when we ask them to be available for you.
If you cannot contact your host, please contact Swapoffi at [email protected].
If you cannot contact your host, please contact Swapoffi at [email protected].
The principles of our community of a home exchange community are simple. Verified members swap verified homes with verified Wi-Fi and verified home offices.
No money is exchanged, ever.
We strongly recommend that all communications between members take place on our platform. In this way, you don’t have to exchange personal contact details. You are protected.
Only the person who is profiled and verified as a member can use Swapoffi. You may not act on behalf of a third person.
Any violation outside of our core principles will be treated with the utmost seriousness, and possibly reported to local authorities.
No money is exchanged, ever.
We strongly recommend that all communications between members take place on our platform. In this way, you don’t have to exchange personal contact details. You are protected.
Only the person who is profiled and verified as a member can use Swapoffi. You may not act on behalf of a third person.
Any violation outside of our core principles will be treated with the utmost seriousness, and possibly reported to local authorities.
No problem, reach out to us at [email protected].