Any questions?

These are the questions we're asked most often about Geenee. But if yours isn't here, just click here to get in touch.

How do I know my home will be safe?

If you haven’t swapped before, you’re bound to have concerns. After all, the idea of letting complete strangers live in your home is enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies.

The good news is, people have been doing this for about 50 years. And it works. Tales of malicious damage or theft are almost non-existent. And at Geenee, we all rate each other (like on eBay), so you can check the ‘reputation’ of potential swappers. You’ll also trade emails and phone calls with them before the swap, so you get to know them that way, too.

Not only that, but home insurers and the police know your home is much safer if you’ve got swappers living there than if it was standing empty.

What sorts of people do this?

Most swappers are professionals (doctors, lecturers, and so forth), executives, or retired people. They’re usually in an upper income bracket, well educated and experienced travellers. Basically, they’re people who relish the real experience of a place, not just a tourist package.

How much does it cost to join?

Well, nothing at all. For a limited time your membership for the first year is FREE. So join quick, there is still time. But even if you miss that opportunity, it’s still pretty fantastic value: we will offer memberships at very competitive rates.

We are offering free memberships to quickly grow the base of members. More members means more homes to choose from. At some point in the future we will start charging, but you can decide after your first year whether you want to renew or not.

How do I protect my privacy?

Your privacy and security are our top priorities. That's why all our members have their own ‘My Geenee’ page. This lets you contact other members without revealing your name or contact details until you've identified a potential swapper. Even then, you only need to give them your e-mail address. It's up to you when you give them your full details. Keeping your email addresses secure also helps protect you against spam and unwanted e-mails.

Can I offer my home to swappers while I’m elsewhere?

Of course. Usually, a Geenee holiday involves staying in someone’s home while they stay in yours. But we’re seeing more and more “non-simultaneous exchanges�? – especially as more people have second homes. This rather complicated phrase just means you’re not in each other’s homes at the same time. For example, you might offer your home while you’re away visiting family, in return for a similar arrangement when your swappers are away from their home.

What sort of home do I need?

Anyone can be enjoy swapping with Geenee, whether you’ve got an apartment on Fifth Avenue, a houseboat on the Thames or a mobile home in the country. There will always be people interested in swapping with you. If you rent your home, make sure you check with your landlord – but most landlords are happy to know the home is being lived in while you’re away.

Can I rent a Geenee home?

Why not? You might as well make some extra money while you’re away. Geenee members can offer their homes for rent any time they like, at no extra charge. Just add the rental periods you’re offering, and the rates, on your Geenee calendar.

What about insurance?

Most home insurance policies will cover swappers. After all, it’s the same as letting you friends or relations stay in your home while you’re away. As you can imagine, most insurers would much prefer you to have people looking after your home than for it to be empty.

We’d rather not have children staying in our home – can we say so?

Of course you can – it’s your home. Your ‘My Geenee’ page lets you customise your profile exactly as you want it, and part of that may be limiting the sort of swappers you’re after. For example, you might prefer non-smokers, no pets, no small children. If you’re an experienced swapper, you might prefer to swap with others like you. Whatever you prefer, that’s the way you should have it.

Would someone want to visit my area?

Just because you don’t have a deck overlooking Venice Beach, or a penthouse on the Champs-Elysées, doesn’t mean your place won’t be popular. At Geenee, we’re excited about making travel part of everyday life – not just an annual blow-out.

The fact is, people travel for all sorts of reasons – often to get as far from the madding crowd as possible. About half of all travel time is spent visiting family, and school or university reunions are increasingly popular – for those sorts of trips, a real home has got to be better than a chain motel.

How do I add photos and panoramas?

It’s easy. Just go to ‘My Geenee’, then ‘My Home’, and choose ‘Photos’ or ‘Panoramas’. You’ll see a button for uploading digital .jpg files directly from your hard drive. It’s also worth adding some brief comments to complete the picture. You can upload up to ten photos and two panoramas.

If all that seems a bit complicated, don’t worry. Just e-mail your photos to info@geenee.com and we’ll upload them for you.

My home isn’t getting much interest

If business is slow, give it a helping hand. Don’t just wait for offers – have a look around and search our homes. Make a few enquiries – it never hurts to ask. Also, make sure your details are current and complete. And put up as many pictures as you can: photos promoting the highlights of your home make a massive difference.