Room4exchange is the only home exchange network devoted to people who live in shared homes. The concept makes house swapping accessible to a lot of people who otherwise could not consider this option for free travel lodging. Targeting a younger and less wealthy demographic, Room4exchange has the potential to bring a lot of new people into home exchange.
I recently had the chance to talk with Javier Banús, founder of Room4exchange. Born out of an argument with his girlfriend, Banús launched this innovative site earlier this year.
ShareTraveler: How did you come up with the idea of doing a room exchange instead of a full home exchange?
Javier Banús: After doing various home exchanges all over the world with my family home, I had an argument with my girlfriend. At the time, I had to go back to live with my friends sharing a flat in Barcelona. It was in this situation where I noticed that if I wanted to travel again by doing exchanges, I wouldn’t find a platform or niche for this particular activity and that’s how I came up with the idea for Room4exchange.
ST: How is this different from doing a full home exchange? Are there unique challenges to this type of swap? How do people negotiate with roommates for this type of exchange?
Javier: We’ve specialized in temporary and simultaneous exchanges between people who share flats, this means that their flat mates must also be in agreement with these exchanges. Often times they will exchange a room but also offer and share the available common areas of the flat, so other people living in the house must be okay with it.
Usually, flat mates tend to join as it turns out to be a very interesting way to travel, meet new people, learn new languages, etc. Room4exchange offers a different way to experience and take advantage of the sharing economy.
ST: How many listings do you currently have? Can you give me a breakdown by continent or region?
Javier: Currently, we have over 5000 members in 110 countries all over the world. The most active cities are Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and London. We’ve seen a lot of interest in Manhattan and have plans to take action about this.
ST: I see membership is currently free, do you plan to charge at some point?
Javier: We have planned various options and payment methods, we are conscious about the current economic situation and how complicated it can be for people who share a flat. Because of this, there will be different payment methods and free options for those who are willing to help us as ambassadors of the program to help us expand and conquer other areas.
ST: You offer insurance for your swappers. Has that been an important feature for Room4exchange members?
Javier: The insurance is a good way to help our members feel secure, especially for those who’ve never done an exchange. Once they try it for the first time, insecurities about the process fade away.
In reality, we’re doubling the insurance as most flats and houses are insured and not even the people renting it know about it. Regardless of this, and to offer more security, we’ve made our own insurance available to members who use the exchange contract offered in our platform.
ST: Can you tell me about some successful swap experiences you’ve heard about from members?
Javier: We were thrilled to hear about a member that couldn’t find a spare room in any hotel or rent a room anywhere for an event in Barcelona but at last was able to find an exchange in our platform.
What’s really fascinating is knowing that people with less income and resources are now able to imagine traveling somewhere by using the platform. With Room4exchange, everybody wins.
ST: Where do you hope to see Room4exchange in the next 5 years?
Javier: We hope to become the leading room for exchange platform all over the world by helping people everywhere find travel accommodations easily, learn more about the sharing economy and ways to apply it to their daily lifestyle.
If you want to join a home exchange network that goes beyond room swapping, check out my complete list of home exchange websites
