Has anyone used a House Swap agency for their holidays?

Would you recommend them or not?

Come September/October, my neighbours want to spend 3wks near Hinckley - they are shocked by the price of accommodation in the UK and are wondering if a holiday swap (house and car, about 35kms from Sydney) is the answer.

If not a swap, any other solutions?

My friends do swap and its been fine for them. They are off to France this year swapping with some French people. One thing for people to be aware of is find out where the property is as our cities are large and sprawling and people can end up a long way from things they are interested in.

My friends first swapped with some Swiss people and they enjoyed their stay but it was a little too far from the city for them as they were interested in shows and recitals etc. Also they came from an apartment to a house with garden to upkeep.

Just food for thought.

Thanks, Petals - but how did they find the swap? Is there an agency that they use?

Just asked her and its homeforexchange.com