Information Folder for Home Exchange Guests

It is always a good idea to leave a folder with detailed information for your exchange guests. You can gradually add to this as you think of anything of use during the run-up to your exchange. Once you have collated the information for your first exchange, it will be much easier the next time you arrange a home swap!

Sample of Folder Contents

• instructions for operating your household appliances (with manuals if complicated)
• information on locating items such as spare bedding and towels
• home security procedures
• contact telephone numbers (emergency services - police, ambulance, fire), doctor, dentist, utility and repair services, garage, taxi, family & friends
• local public transport information
• recommended local restaurants and shops
• local tourist information, brochures and maps
• pet/plant care (if part of an exchange agreement)

Each member's information folder will be unique but the sample of the notes included in one member's folder given below should help others when deciding what to include in their own. Home Base Holidays members', Cathy and Laurie Lawie-Phillips, from Auckland, New Zealand, have very kindly given permission to share the information they left for their exchange partners, the Barneys, from Utah, USA.

View the Lawie-Phillips' exchange offer in Auckland, HE12437 and the Barneys' listing in Logan, Utah, HE14874. Also see Cathy's report on their first exchange in Home Swappers Newsletter.

Note: Cathy also included in her folder the detailed instructions given beforehand to the Barneys on how to locate and get into their home. These are not included below but only the additional information on security and access that would be needed once in the house. In the 'real' folder there were separate pages with divider tabs for ease of finding information on the various subjects covered (rooms, security, car, contacts, etc) rather than one lengthy document as shown below. Many members also write brief instructions on sticky notes to place on household appliances before leaving to supplement the more detailed notes in their folders.

Member's Sample Information Folder for Home Exchange Guests

Security and Keys

• Security lights are operational by leaving light switch inside front door on all the time; however can be left on if you turn them off, then on again. To reactivate security operation turn off for at least 3 minutes, then turn on again; they will then go off automatically after a couple of minutes
• Key for under the house (the door to the left of the front steps) is in the xxxxxx.

Finding Your Way Around the House

• Linen and towels in hall cupboard
• Sheets for main bedroom are the Kingsize ones including fitted, white & red and white edged ones
• Sheets for 2nd bedroom are Queensize and yellow
• Ironing board hanging up in the hall cupboard. We use cold water from the tap for iron
• Vacuum cleaner in hall cupboard
• Empty drawers available in both rooms in the wardrobes. Empty space in wardrobes to hang clothes
• Lounge windows along the top of the lounge room. Every second one slides open and we often leave these open for air. Kitchen windows open are good for breeze as are the sunroom ones
• Dustbin (trashcan) (Editor's note: a good idea to 'translate' when objects may be called something different in an exchange partner's country)
• Wheelie bin with red top to be put out by roadside. However, after public holidays, Christmas and New Year it is usually a day later. The blue plastic bins for bottles and plastic containers are put out at same time
• Mains water – in case of emergency: On pavement outside the gate is a rectangular plastic cover, under is the valve to turn off water. Ours is the one on left looking at house No01A080580
• Under the house there are some tools, odds & sods of nails, screws etc; if you search well, there are also some hand tools in the round Chinese basket in the living room.

Lounge - Television-Video-DVD-Sky

• Ensure all modules are turned off when not watching television
• Modules can be turned off using remotes
• TV must be turned off at the TV, not remote, when going away overnight or longer
• (DVD/Video/Sky in cupboard below TV - door must be open to operate)

Steps to take to watch television:

1. Turn on TV (if on standby use grey TV remote; if turned off at TV, turn on at TV
2. Choose channel e.g. 1 or 2 or 3

Or, for a better picture, watch via Sky

1. On TV (grey) remote press oblong button below green on and off button to get the setting required – AV2 - for watching Sky with surround sound
2. Turn on Sky (black) remote – red button at bottom and chose channel required
3. Using grey Video remote turn on video = L1
4. DVD (blue) remote press on button, then function button = Video 2 for surround sound

For sound volume when on AV2 use blue DVD remote; when on ordinary TV or AV3 use the TV or Sky volume

To Record on Video

• DVD on Video 2
• Mute sound on DVD
• TV on AVW
• Video switched on

TV in kitchen operates normally – no Sky

TV in sunroom operates through video – no Sky (see information under Sunroom below)

Note: Books/guides for the home theatre are beside the units in the lounge cupboard.

Kitchen

• Information books for various kitchen things beside the silver microwave
• Dishwasher – set for normal washing, push start. When all lights red, the cycle is finished
• Stove top: gas rings - gas bottle is in the cupboard beside stove; however it has been filled for you and lasts three months so you should not have to worry about it. To get the gas rings to light, you turn knobs around and hold in for at least 15 seconds before they will stay lit
• Oven (electric): turn left hand knob around to top for oven. Turn next knob around to desired temperature; attached is Temp conversion chart
• Above stove light - behind wooden panel above stove, at the right end is a push button on the light itself
• Microwaves etc - operation booklets beside silver microwave
• We always use placemats on our dining room table - they are at the left end of bench facing table. For cleaning the table there is a waxy cloth in the top drawer of the sideboard in the dining room - we don't use polish on the table (table is our pride and joy! A bespoke one made of 15th century recycled French walnut)
• Brooms in pantry cupboard in kitchen
• Any dishes/mugs/cups with silver or gold on do not go in the microwave but any of the others are fine
• Kitchen radio is tuned to the National Programme - the most informative
• We use supermarket bags in the kitchen rubbish bin; bags are in the blue “sausage” hanging in the cupboard.

Sunroom

The tiled floor is not very sound proof and in consideration of Richard and Steph whose bedroom is directly below the sunroom we don’t wear shoes on the tiles before 10.00 am (they like a sleep in!)

Computer

• Push Blue button on computer under table
• Cathy
• E for Internet Explorer in bottom left hand corner
• Will automatically dial up to server
• Google is default page

To turn off:

• Start
• Turn off computer
• Turn off

Server problems: extra help desk Tel: 0800 225598

TV  (This one is a UK TV so only operates through the video which is in the cupboard) – no Sky reception

1. Turn on TV  (either using remote or on TV)
2. Channel 4 using remote
3. When 4 comes up press third button down on right hand side
4. Turn on Video
5. Use video remote to get channel 1,2,3 – no Sky
6. Sound controlled by TV remote

Sunroom - Additional Information 

• Stereo on chest of drawers

• House and shoe cleaning gear in cane box

• Ceiling blind – we tend to leave it closed as the sun streams in the room and it gets so hot; blind offers shade and also easier to see computer screen!

• Telephone books beside sofa

• Second and third drawer of chest of drawers house all our maps – there will be some of New Zealand if you want to borrow.

Laundry Room

• Washing machine is automatically set for normal wash. Lift top off agitator inside, put in washing powder (one scoop unless big load, then two scoops). Powder in cupboard under handbasin. Replace top. Softener can be then put in centre of the top of the agitator. Push Power, then Start. Machine automatically gauges how much water is needed and will stop when cycle completed

• Dryer - Do not fill completely, Close door, Start. Will stop when clothes are dry, will occasionally tumble until clothes removed and door shut again. It has a lint filter in the body above the door; it can be removed to clear it when the door is open. We do not leave the dryer going when we are not in the house

2^nd Bathroom

• Tap with shower head I use when washing my hair in the bath! Push rubber top to get spray.  Otherwise fill bath from tap at end of bath, water comes out from side tap

• Light inside the medicine cabinet – pull on cord to turn on.  Magnifying glass inside door

• Bottom switch is the fan should the bathroom steam up.

• The bubble bath works, just press the button on top of bath nearest door

Outside the House

• Cushions for outdoor chairs in the garage

• Hoses attached to tap in courtyard and down the side by garage door

• Clothes line down the side by garage door – lift up until it locks

• Gas Barbeque under cover, side garden

• Fish (four of them only) should not need feeding in the summer, but there is a small round container of food under the house on the shelf facing the door should you feel like giving them a treat, just a small amount mind. They like the Fountain off when they are fed, there is a small red switch on the timer in the shed under the house to turn the fountain off and on, using it does not affect the timer

• Under the house, hanging up, are some insect repellent coils

• In the garage there is a very long electric extension cord (orange in colour)

• There are 2 bicycles OK for riding along the sea-front; they are European and have a back-pedal brake on the rear wheel, also 2 safety helmets for your use

Car Information - Toyota Harrier + Road Rules

• Will leave insurance details in folder.  Also will leave our AA card for you to use if you have a breakdown

• Any problems should be handled by a Toyota dealer and we normally use  Northshore Toyota, Cnr Target Road and Link Drive, Wairau Park, North Shore Tel 443 0525 where we bought the car

• A copy of the car insurance is in the car glove box and the policy is in the folder

• The car takes Green (unleaded) petrol (gas)

• Our garage is down the side garden or around the corner.  Garage door can be opened from the inside by pulling up the wire either side of the centre of the door, opened from the outside with the key

• The car does not have an alarm and should be parked in the garage at night. Do not leave anything in the car on the street as we do have a problem with people breaking into cars. The garage door to be locked, garage key on key ring.

• There are 4 picnic chairs in the car

• The car has a foot handbrake.  It is automatic although if you move gear stick to the right when in drive; it operates in manual by use of the buttons on the steering wheel, top ones for changing down, underside ones for changing up, we very rarely use manual only perhaps driving up the mountain in the snow.  The remote on the key for the doors does NOT work (Laurie went swimming with it in his pocket!!)

• IMPORTANT The car does not give any warning when the lights are on even when you have turned the motor off and removed the key so once you have turned the car off make sure that you turn the lights off to avoid getting a flat battery!

• Sorry no cruise control, but then our roads are not big enough to need it

• Car Radio - push the AM/FM button and you get a choice on the screen, then push corresponding button of choice; we haven’t tuned many stations in but 1476 is the BBC world service (Auckland area), always interesting. It also has a CD player; the single slot on the front is OK but we are wary of the CD cassette in the glove box, one time it would not come out!

• There is a copy of the NZ Road Code for you to refer to

• 1^st rule drive on the left & keep left. In general all junctions are controlled, either “STOP” or  “GIVE WAY” on minor roads; usually traffic on the major road has right of way. If no sign then GIVE WAY to traffic on your RIGHT, at Roundabouts (you may know them as Traffic Circles), go in clockwise direction and give way to traffic on the right

• If in any doubt give way to anything that would hit you on your right hand side. Note the one on page 47 turning left; what complicates this stupid rule is traffic coming from behind you and going straight on - just check your mirror

• The speed limit is 50kph in towns and cities and 100kph on open road unless road signs advise otherwise

• You cannot filter left against a Red Light (as you can Filter right in the US)

• The must remember rule for you guys as pedestrians is LOOK RIGHT before you step off the pavement (sidewalk). Don’t worry they are not bad drivers!

• Letter sent to insurance company:

The undersigned hereby give authority for any one of the following people to report, provide details of, accident/theft/broken windows/any damage to the Toyota Harrier ZN9359 and make any claims in our absence from New Zealand, on the above insurance policy for Toyota Harrier, ZN9359 for the months of December 2003 and January 2004.

They will provide police with details if necessary.

Names of drivers….  

Contacts (because it is the summer holiday period people may be away on holiday so family and friends to call)

• Names of family and friends to contact if needed …

Places to Visit from Mission Bay  

Walk:

• Michael Savage memorial, turn right from gate, right at end of street, left into Tamaki Drive, short walk along over stream bridge and immediately up steps on your left, at top keep walking, lovely walk, come down driveway further on to Tamaki Drive.

• Walk along Tamaki Drive, turn right on the waterfront, a lovely walk to Kohimarama (restaurants and swimming) and St Heliers which has local shops and restaurants and swimming, nice beach (all the way along).

• Short walk – Right at Tamaki right into Kohimarara rd., thru the little reserve on right just after Holgate right then left into Ronaki and down to home.

• Walk along Tamaki Drive, turn left on the waterfront, to Yacht Club, where people fish and to Okahu Bay and to the city.

Drive:

• Christmas lights, Franklin Street, Ponsonby, city  (along Tamaki drive past the water front around over the flyover and turn left at the green park (Victoria Park) and then right.  It is a street where residents decorate their houses with lights, worth a visit when it is dark.  Look in road map and park down the bottom of street, walk up one side and down the other.  NZ does not go into lights terribly much although getting better now,

Bus:

• The city, it is probably best to bus to town as parking buildings quite expensive and so easy as bus goes right to down town.  Turn left at gate and left into Tamaki Drive and bus stop is right there.  About $15 for a taxi (cab) home from the city if you don’t want to walk (probably pay to ask taxi driver how much – tell him it is Tamaki Drive Mission Bay).

• Bus tours highlights of Auckland - Several companies offer city tours, which last three hours and cost about NZ$40.  Companies include ABC Tours (tel: (0800) 222 868), Great Sights (tel: (0800) 744 487) and Scenic Pacific Tours (tel: (09) 634 2266). Auckland Adventures (tel: (09) 379 4545) has half-day tours (NZ$60) and an all-day Wilderness Adventure (NZ$89).

• Bus to city and walk around the Viaduct Basin where yachts, cruise ships (when in port) and ships are moored – nice for a coffee or lunch but restaurants expensive for evening meals. 

Drive or Walk:

• Drive or walk along Tamaki Drive (turn left at waterfront) to Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater Aquarium – this was the first underwater aquarium in the world and unfortunately Kelly Tarlton died suddenly of a heart attack on 17 March 1985, 7 weeks after the Underwater World opened. See real live Penguins, explore the Antarctic landscape in a Snow Cat, take a journey beneath the ocean and come face to face with ferocious sharks!  Open 365 days a year 9.00am - 8.00pm (01 December - 28 February); last entry is 1 hour before closing

Drive, Bus or Taxi:

• Sky City Tower, in the heart of the city. Drive or bus or taxi (car parking underneath) - excellent views, nice to eat up there as well – several restaurants.  At 328 metres (more than a thousand feet) it's the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. On a clear day it offers breathtaking views for more than eighty kilometres in every direction. The Sky Tower experience is a vertical ride to total amazement. An all-time high with the latest in interactive technology. Hours of opening: Sky Tower is open every day of the year from 8.30 am until late.  Sky City Casino means that there's entertainment waiting for you at the end of even the longest day. Or some fun before a night on the town. 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  It is worth a visit during the day and at night.  People bungy-jump off the tower both during the day and at night.

There are 2 routes to the City:

1. The Seaside route along Tamaki Drive to Downtown Auckland

2. The Garden Route to uptown Auckland (see attached marked map) via the Domain.

Drives: 

1. The Domain and Museum is a nice museum, not too big, in a lovely setting; look in road map 15 minute drive.

2. Drive up to the top of Mount Eden, 48 volcanoes in the Auckland area, the youngest 700 years is the Island Rangitoto straight out from Mission Bay. Whilst at Mt. Eden turn left from mountain road into Owens road at n0 34 is the only Kauri Tree I know of surviving in Auckland city, it's just a youngster, see booklet on coffee table; up north are some true GIANTS; pictures do not do them justice.

3. The West Coast  beaches: Surf and Black Sand; look in map Highway 16 to the Northwest, an afternoons excursion; great Gannet bird colony at the lovely Muriwai (map 93). Lunch at one of the Vineyard restaurants in the Kumeu/Huapai area, or a simple lunch at Carriages in Kumeu.

4. Titirangi, a nice native tree suburb with nice little cafes and atmosphere, and explore the Waitakere Ranges (hills). Visit the Aratakivisitor center on Scenic Drive (see on map 96). 

5. Long Bay, drive up Beach Road over on the North Shore, over Harbour Bridge, nice little restaurant on the beach.

6. North Shore - Takapuna and Browns Bay nice suburbs with shops and cafes and on the water.  

7. Epsom -  inner suburb with older style nice houses. Empire road is typical or, if you fancy something modern with spectacular views, drive all the way uphill to the end of Redoubt road, exit at 20 Manukau (see map 68).  

Bus:

1. Devonport, bus to town and catch a ferry across to Devonport for lunch and nice shops

2. Ferry trips, bus to town and catch any of the day ferry trips to Waiheke; whale watching, cruise the gulf.