Checklist: Before You Swap Your Home

Checklist: Everything You Need to Have in Order Before the Home Swap

Good preparation is the absolute key to a successful home swap. With this thorough checklist, you ensure that you have all the important details covered before you even begin looking for a swap partner. Take the time to go through each point carefully — it will save you headaches later in the process.

Documents You Should Have Gathered and Ready

Before you create your listing on Byt og Flyt, you should gather the following documents in a folder (physical or digital):

1. Your tenancy agreement — the most important document

Your tenancy agreement is the foundation of the entire swap. Find your original tenancy agreement and read through it carefully. Look specifically for:

• Any special terms regarding swaps, subletting or assignment
• Your exact move-in date (important for documenting the 3-year rule under lejeloven § 161, the Danish Tenancy Act § 161)
• Details about the deposit and prepaid rent
• Any special obligations or restrictions

If you cannot find your contract, you can contact your landlord or property manager and request a copy. It is an important document that you should have readily accessible in any case.

2. Contact details for your landlord or property manager

You will need to contact your landlord early in the process to obtain approval. Make sure you have:

• Full name and address of the landlord or property management company
• Phone number and email address for the correct contact person
• Any contact person on the board (if you live in a housing cooperative)
• Details of any property administrator

3. Documentation for your home

To verify your tenancy, it can be useful to have:

• A residence certificate from the municipality (can be ordered at borger.dk)
• Receipt for the most recent rent payment as documentation
• Possibly a letter from the landlord confirming your tenancy

4. Financial documents related to the home

Gather information about the financial aspects:

• Overview of your paid deposit and any prepaid rent
• Documentation for improvements you have paid for and carried out yourself
• Overview of current utility statements (electricity, water, heating)
• Information about any outstanding amounts owed to the landlord

Things You Should Investigate Thoroughly About Your Current Home

Take a critical and honest look at your home and note all relevant conditions:

Condition and maintenance — be honest:

An honest assessment of your home's condition helps you describe it accurately in the listing and avoid unpleasant surprises for potential swap partners:

• Are there faults or deficiencies that should be remedied before viewings?
• When were the walls last painted, and what condition are they in?
• Do all appliances work as they should (fridge, hob, dishwasher)?
• Are there damp problems, mould or other hidden defects you are aware of?
• What is the condition of the floors — scratches, stains or wear?
• Do all windows, doors and locks work correctly?

Practical matters that matter to potential partners:

• What exactly is included in the rent? (water, heating, internet, cable TV?)
• Is there a shared laundry room, or do you have your own washing machine?
• What parking options are there? (private, street, waiting list?)
• Is there storage space in a basement, attic or elsewhere?
• How does waste disposal and recycling work?
• Is there a lift, and does it work reliably?

Neighbours and the immediate area:

• How is your relationship with the nearest neighbours?
• Are there noise problems from neighbours, traffic or other sources?
• How do you experience safety in the area during the day and at night?
• What is the atmosphere in the stairwell and among residents generally?

Important Questions You Should Ask Yourself

Before you start searching, it is essential to honestly clarify your own wishes, needs and constraints:

About location and area:

• Which specific areas, neighbourhoods or municipalities could you see yourself living in?
• How far are you willing to commute to work or study?
• Are there specific facilities you need nearby? (school, nursery, shopping, public transport, park)
• Does it matter to you to be close to family or friends?
• Do you have preferences for city versus suburb versus rural area?

About the home itself:

• How many rooms do you need as a minimum, and why?
• How many square metres would you ideally like?
• Is the floor important to you? (ground floor for accessibility, top floor for views, lift required?)
• Do you have pets that need to be able to live there, and what restrictions do you accept?
• Are there specific things you cannot live without? (balcony, bathtub, dishwasher, parking space?)
• What is the maximum rent you are willing to pay?

About finances and timing:

• What is your absolute maximum for monthly rent including utilities?
• Can you cover a new deposit before you get your current one back?
• Are you prepared to potentially pay rent in two places during a transition period?
• When can you move at the earliest, and when must you have moved by at the latest?

Financial Considerations You Should Be Prepared For

A home swap often involves some temporary financial challenges that you should prepare for:

Deposit and prepaid rent:

You typically do not get your current deposit back until after you move out and the apartment has been inspected. This means:

• You may need to pay a new deposit on the new home before you get the old one back
• The deposit can be up to 3 months' rent (based on typical tenancy agreements in Denmark) — do you have that saved?
• Consider whether you have the liquidity to cover the interim period without difficulty
• Potentially arrange a short-term credit facility with your bank as a safety net

Overlapping rent during the transition period:

In many cases, there will be a short period when you need to pay rent in both places:

• Agree clearly with your swap partner on exactly when the handover takes place
• Budget for 1–2 months' double rent as a precaution
• The better the coordination with your swap partner, the shorter the overlap

Moving costs you should budget for:

The move itself also costs money:

• Will you use a professional removal company, or can you borrow a trailer and get help from friends?
• Remember to budget for thorough cleaning of your old home
• Possible restoration costs (painting, filling, minor repairs)
• New furniture or fittings for the new home?

Realistic Timeline for the Entire Swap Process

A realistic timeline typically looks like this — be prepared for it to take time:

Important tip: Start the process well in advance. The best and most successful swaps often take 3–6 months from when you create the listing to when you move into the new home. Do not try to rush the process — it rarely leads to good results.

Next Steps in Your Preparation

Once you have the checklist covered and all documents gathered, you are ready to create your listing on Byt og Flyt. Take the time to create a really good listing — it is your most important investment in the process.

Remember to read our complete guide to the entire home swap process: Sådan bytter du lejlighed i Danmark, which gives you the full overview of all phases.

With thorough preparation, you are already a huge step closer to finding your dream match. Take the first step today, and good luck with the home hunt!