What's the house swap register ?

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What's the house swap register ?

I really need to join the NCT

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Now I'm glad you asked..........

If you don't know what the " Houseswap Register " is then here goes... Well in a

nutshell it's a list of around 200+ families who are willing to swap houses with

each other in order to have a FREE holiday. You can arrange/set up as many swaps

as you like all for £25.85, what a bargain!!.

The Register comes out each year around the 1st January 2001, 1st May 2001 & 1st

September 2001 and with the ever-increasing costs of staying in hotels the idea

of swapping homes is fast catching on.

Why not cut the rising costs of family holidays without cutting your fun, by

swapping homes throughout the year with other swappers for family holidays and

long weekends. The NCT Houseswap Register gives you information on all sorts of

homes around the UK, from a farm in Cornwall, to a thatched cottage in Sussex or

even a flat in Central London.

Swap homes and avoid being cooped up in cramped hotel rooms, caravans and

chalets, eliminate the stress of living out of a suitcase. Instead, enjoy the

" home comforts " and pleasures of relaxing in a private home, sometimes even with

use of swimming pools, extensive gardens and tennis courts. Enjoy a great

holiday with huge cost savings because you have no hotel bills and no extra

restaurant expenses for having to eat out all the time, very important when you

have children. Some swappers even take care of each other's pets i.e. feed the

goldfish, cats & rabbits etc., whilst other swappers allow members to bring

their dog on holiday as well thus avoiding kennel fees! In fact the only cost of

your holiday should merely be the cost of getting there plus spending money.

One of the best aspects in my opinion is that you can experience living in a

neighbourhood and community, not as a " tourist " but as a " local " . You can have a

comfortable base from which you can explore the locality and with a bit of

inside knowledge explore off the beaten tourist track. Members often also swap

memberships to local " tourist attractions " , thus saving further money!

The " Register " is a comprehensive list by County of members' homes. So that you

are able to match up with somebody whose home is suitable for your aged

children. You wouldn't swap with somebody with 11 and 10 year old children if

you have 2-year-old twins! The idea is that you look for somebody with children

of a similar age, so they should have similar equipment & toys etc. In this way

you don't have to take travel cots, pushchairs, highchairs, baby baths etc. etc.

on holiday with you.

Some members even have a babysitter available so you might be able to arrange

for a night out without the children. See individual entries for more details.

Basically, this is a diy service and you control all the arrangements. When you

receive your " Registers " you can start contacting members whose details interest

you. The " Register " also contains tips on how to prepare for your Houseswap. But

remember trips don't have to be lengthy and complicated nor do they have to be

with comparable sized homes. Lets face it swappers want to get out and about not

sit in your home all day! Therefore, the location and what you are able to do

from there are more important in a swap. The more flexible you can be about

travel dates and locations the more offers to swap you are likely to receive.

However we have again this year included a section for those members' who wish

to include details about specific dates when they are available to swap.

Remember you can organize as many swaps as you like during the year all for the

one annual fee.

So even if you live in a town centre or the deepest countryside there is often

someone willing to swap homes with you. Many swappers want to go to larger towns

and tourist areas, but many others want to holiday in isolated spots as well.

Others just want to be near family and friends, without actually staying with

them!

Obviously it can be strange being in somebody else's home, but it is much better

than staying in a cloned hotel room and much more comfortable. The NCT bear no

responsibly for any aspect of the Swap, they are based on mutual trust and

respect. Although they do ask that you leave your house ready for your visitors.

Most people expect clean toilets, baths, basins, sinks and clean rooms. During

swaps you might also like to swap bedding and towels etc., which would make

packing somewhat easier. I would recommend swapping to anybody, if you treat it

as a bit of an adventure then its great fun.

We now produce 3 " Editions " of the " Register " a year,

2001 Application Deadlines are as follows..

1st Edition Application Deadline 14th December 2000,

for a Projected 1st January 2001 Publication date.

2nd Edition Application Deadline 14th April 2001,

for a Projected 1st May 2001 Publication date.

3rd Edition Application Deadline 14th August 2001,

for a Projected 1st September 2001 Publication date.

The Annual Membership Fee entitles you to three consecutive editions of the

" Register " e.g. Jan. 2001, May 2001 & Sep 2001. or May 2001, Sep 2001 & Jan 2002

or Sep 2001, Jan 2002 & May 2002. So you can join at any time during the year!!

Why don't you contact me and I'll send you an application form and some more

information. Remember Houseswaps are FREE the only money that changes hands is

the £25.85 inc. VAT annual fee to belong to the register (all profits from which

go directly to the NCT, in 1999 this amounted to over £4,000 after deducting

costs & VAT). Don't forget you can arrange/set up as many swaps as you like all

for £25.85, what a bargain!!.

For more details about the " Register " or an application form contact.

Tupman, NCT Houseswap Register Coordinator,

17 Grafton Road, Newton Abbot, S. Devon, TQ12 1JF.

or Tel 01626 360689, Email: denisetupman@...

*If you Newsletter Editor would like copies of these forms Email me and I can

send them as " attachments " to save her time.

Sorry I just couldn't resist a plug!

Tupman

Mum to Matt 12, 9, Jonty & Phil 35

Torbay & South Devon Branch NNS Coordinator,

& NCT National Houseswap Register Coordinator