Agreement

So we've signed the contract for our next exchange in July. The company we're using and where we are members calls it "exchange agreement". There are two sides to the agreement, ie. each exchange partner lists the names of the visitors and contact details. This is also the place where relevant insurance details are listed about the cars that are going to be swapped-- if you want that part of the deal.   
Only these people are allowed to stay--unless otherwise stated. E.g. I always mention that I may have my children stay the odd day while we are there. Otherwise people could be inclined to run a B&B, have wild parties, or come with a gang of 8 family member, I suppose.
Under special arrangements we list that the other party will be responsible for using our Pay TV option. After last year's experience where the French had run up a bill of almost $80 I can only advise you to include that in your agreement. In all fairness, this bill was paid without any quibble. Well, after all they had agreed to it in advance. How feasible it is to enforce any financial arrangement between two countries that are so far away and have different jurisdictions I can't even start to imagine.
The only recourse I can see is to complain to the organizing website and approach them as a mediator. The is a special process that can be invoked...if it comes to that, an official complaint.
This agreement is also made online. Each partner has the chance of making changes and then the agreement is signed electronically.
"By signing this agreement you are acknowledging that you accept the conditions and understand that the cancellation of an exchange, once an agreement has been signed, is a serious matter and may lead to exclusion from further participation in a ...exchange."
Sounds reasonable? I left out the name of the company on purpose. It is available upon request.

Our first port of call or home exchange is secured. We've signed our agreement with the German family near the Baltic Sea.It includes the car rental. They have a nice SUV like us and a little motorboat complete with boathouse. You could have parties there. I'm sure they do.
For us, our exchange party only consists of my husband and me and possibly my adult children, if they then choose to visit there. Might be a tad boring in the sticks for them. I remember a short trip with my parents to a similar area in the Germany countryside, if beautiful with lakes and heather etc. And I found it unnervingly boring. The number of visitors to each house needs to be specified for insurance reasons. You don't want your exchangers to throw big parties there...
Finer points have to be discussed, e.g. when everybody arrives at the other place and where then the keys are handed over.On our last exchange, the french family arrived ate at night in pelting Florida rain and triggered off our security alarm not being able to put the code in instantly. That resulted in the cops turning up and citation for us.
So this has to carefully recorded  so that everybody knows what to do...even in a downpour in the middle of the night.
While planning our trip further on to the West of France we found the logistics of getting there form Eastern Germany quite daunting.Then fate or rather my husband's employer took the decision out of our hands and changed his work schedule, meaning he has to return to the States earlier than we had planned with that nice French family. They were so "deceived". Speaking French, I knew they meant" disappointed" which resulted in a few laughters. No hard feelings, hopefully we can make this desirable trip next year.

To fix or not to Fix? No question for me...

So far my search for this year's home swaps hasn't brought any results. The German bet is off as predicted and the French are mulling things over. It's still early in the season, you would think, to make travel arrangements, but like last year, many Germany families already booked their trips. They know in advance when exactly their children will be on summer holidays - this changes every year. And the breadwinner puts in his vacation request accordingly- if they have children that is. We also heard that for some people flights were too expensive this year.
If you are thinking about a home swap, there is still plenty of time in my experience. Don't let the following story deter you.Maybe I shouldn't start off on less than positive note. But you can still draw your own conclusions; sometimes one has to learn the hard way.
So, right on time for the new season we got a newsletter from our chosen agency. One story they shared for their members reminds me of what happened to us on our second exchange. If you have followed our travels, you will remember that the scenario described here sounds familiar:
After a house swap with Australia this lady writes: "When I returned to town, I invited some neighbors over for grilled dinner on the patio to meet them. The Aussie gentleman was setting the table outside and noticed
that my umbrella table was crooked. The next thing I knew, he was under the table straightening it out! After I thanked him for doing a fixit job, which had stumped me, he remarked that he was able to “fix that shower door” (which hadnʼt shut correctly in about3 years!) By the time our 4 week exchange was over, and I returned home, I found that a plastic bathroom faucet handle had broken and been replaced, the wheel on my bicycle was fixed, and my wonky kitchen cupboard door was good as new!I never anticipated having free handy-man services as part of the home swap deal. I told them they were welcome to visit me any time, and I would gladly supply the tool kit.
I have tried to conceal the identity of this wonderful Aussie couple, since I am sure they
would be bombarded with home exchange requests from everyone who read this article."
Yes, indeed! That was the impression that we had in France: that this family used home swaps to have their house fixed up(toilet seat, toilet roll holder, missing light bulbs in several rooms, and cleaned. They left every trash can overflowing and conveniently placed wipes (lingettes) all over the house. Garden furniture and pool cover were garnished with green algae which kept us busy for the first 2 days before we could enjoy the house. In contrast, we had touched up paint everywhere, even repainted the porch, bought new sheets and towels etc. to have everything  sparkling for our guests.
My tip: Clarify if they have a cleaner and if you can call upon her.