How to Evaluate a Potential Swap Partner

Guide: Evaluate Your Potential Swap Partner Correctly and Safely

Finding the right swap partner is about far more than matching square metres and rent on paper. You also need to make sure that the person on the other side is reliable, serious and someone you can safely enter an important agreement with. This guide helps you spot both good signs and warning flags.

Warning Signs You Absolutely Must Watch For

Be on your guard against these classic red flags that may indicate problems:

Suspicious communication:

• Persistent reluctance to meet in person or speak on the phone
• Evasive, vague or contradictory answers to direct and simple questions
• Unreasonable pressure for a quick decision with phrases like "You must answer today!" or "There are many people interested"
• Long periods without contact followed by sudden intense communication
• Only willing to communicate at specific times or through specific channels
• Poor spelling and grammar that does not match the person's profile
• Copy-paste messages that seem standardised

Problems with information:

• Refuses to provide a full, verifiable address before meeting in person
• Details that change or do not add up over time
• A home that sounds too good to be true (too low rent, too good a location)
• Missing, few or very poor photos in the listing
• Reluctance to provide a copy of the tenancy agreement (sensitive data such as CPR can be redacted)
• Imprecise answers about move-in date or length of tenancy

Concerning behaviour:

• Unreasonable or peculiar demands and conditions
• Constantly speaking negatively about their current landlord, neighbours or previous swap partners
• Consistently avoids discussing finances, deposits or practical matters
• Does not want to involve the landlord in the process or says it will "sort itself out"
• Pushes for personal information early in the process
• Suggests unusual payment arrangements

Important Questions You Should Ask Early in the Conversation

Ask these questions early to get a clear picture of the situation:

Questions about the home:

• How long exactly have you lived there? (important for verifying the 3-year rule under Danish tenancy law)
• Are there any problems or deficiencies with the home that I should know about in advance?
• What exactly is included in the rent (water, heating, electricity, internet)?
• How is your relationship with the neighbours — are there any conflicts?
• What will you miss most about moving away from this home?
• Do you have plans for improvements or repairs before the swap?
• Are there planned renovations in the stairwell or building?

Questions about the swap itself:

• What is the main reason you want to swap?
• What are you specifically looking for in a new home — is my home the right match?
• When could you move at the earliest, and what is your deadline?
• Have you already contacted your landlord about the possibility of swapping?
• Do you have previous experience with home swaps?
• Are there others you are also considering swapping with?

Questions about practical matters:

• Is your tenancy agreement fixed-term in any way?
• Are there special terms in your contract that I should know about?
• How large is your current deposit?
• Is there any inventory or equipment that comes with the home?
• Do you have pets, and if so, are they allowed in my home?

How to Verify the Information

Do not blindly trust what you are told — it is perfectly legitimate to verify:

Check the address and home:

• Look up the address on Google Maps and Street View — does the image match the description?
• Check that the home exists at that address (letterbox, nameplate)
• Look at the property on BBR (the Danish Building and Housing Register) for official information
• Search for the property on boliga.dk or other housing sites to compare prices

Research the person (within reasonable limits):

• Search for the person's full name on Google and social media
• Check whether their LinkedIn profile (if one exists) matches what they say about their job
• Pay attention to whether there is consistency between what you find and what you have been told
• Check whether the phone number matches by searching for it

Confirm the tenancy:

• Ask to see a copy of the tenancy agreement (sensitive data such as CPR can be redacted)
• Check that the rent and size in the contract match what was stated
• Verify that the move-in date is more than 3 years ago
• Consider asking for contact with the landlord to confirm the tenancy

Communication Style as an Important Indicator

The way you communicate tells a great deal about how the partnership will work:

Positive signs that bode well:

• Quick, relevant and well-formulated replies to your messages
• Openness about both advantages and disadvantages of the home
• Willingness to meet in person and show the home
• The person also asks interested questions about you and your situation
• Respect for your time and need for reflection before decisions
• Consistent and reliable communication over time
• Proactive about sharing information and keeping you updated

Concerning signs that should give you pause:

• Long, unexplained periods without a reply (days or weeks)
• Short, meaningless messages that do not really answer your questions
• Systematically avoids answering concrete, simple questions
• Seems uninterested in your situation and needs
• Aggressively pushes for a quick decision without good reason
• Changes their mind or contradicts themselves repeatedly
• Becomes irritated or defensive when you ask clarifying questions

Trust Your Gut Feeling

After all the research and analysis, your intuition is still important:

Ask yourself honestly:

• Do I fundamentally feel safe with this person?
• Do they seem honest, genuine and trustworthy?
• Can I imagine working constructively with them throughout the swap process?
• Is there something that feels "wrong" or "off", even if I cannot quite put my finger on it?
• Would I recommend this person to a friend or family member?

If something feels wrong:

• Politely but firmly say no thank you — other and better opportunities will come along
• You do not need to justify your decision in detail
• It is far better to miss one potential swap than to end up in trouble
• Trust your gut feeling — it is often right

How to Protect Yourself Throughout the Process

Throughout the entire process:

• Always meet for the first time in a public place (café, public space) — not in one of the homes
• Never transfer money and never accept payments before everything is in place with contracts
• Always involve both landlords officially in the process
• Document all important communication in writing (email, text messages)
• Do not share sensitive personal information (CPR, bank details) too early

If you are unsure:

• Ask for verifiable references from previous landlords
• Insist on speaking directly with the landlord to confirm the tenancy
• Bring a friend, partner or family member to viewings
• Contact Byt og Flyt support if anything seems suspicious — we are happy to help

What the Right Match Looks Like

When you find the right match, you typically notice it in these ways:

• Communication flows naturally and effortlessly
• You both have realistic and aligned expectations for the swap
• Both parties are flexible, accommodating and solution-oriented
• There is mutual respect, trust and good personal chemistry
• The timeline works for both parties without pressure
• You look forward to the collaboration rather than worrying about it

Next Steps Once You Have Found a Promising Partner

Once you have found a swap partner who seems right, the next important step is to visit each other's homes in person.

Read our guide: Tips til første besøg hos bytte-partner to get the most out of the visit.

For the complete guide to the entire process, see: Sådan bytter du lejlighed i Danmark.