Home-Exchange Blog back to top

Home Exchange Travels
A veteran home-exchanger who completed over 30 swaps creates a useful blog.
http://homeexchanger.blogspot.com/

Academic Job Openings back to top

Affirmative Action Register
AAR is a leading national equal opportunity employment magazine and website that connects employers to professionals who are seeking jobs, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual preference or disability. For more than 30 years, AAR has provided progressive businesses and institutions with a forum to find employees who represent the dynamic kaleidoscope of our country’s population. There is an academic faculty and staff section.
http://www.aarjobs.com

Academic Careers Online
Global interactive database for full & part-time and visiting career opportunities at colleges and universities around the world.
http://www.AcademicCareers.com

Scams & Prevention back to top

BEWARE of persons offering to send a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check
1) The scammers pretend they want to rent your home. They send you a generic message and are usually in a hurry.

2) The scammers offer to send a cashier's check as a deposit usually above the rental fee.

3) The scammers ask you to wire them money expecting you will not try to cash their bogus check in the meanwhile.

4) No one at SabbaticalHomes.com has fallen for this scam but BEWARE

by SabbaticalHomes.com 6/25/2006

Virginia Tech off Campus Housing (VTOCH) issues a scam alert
The Blacksburg Police Department has confirmed a number of complaints regarding a scam that targets students and landlords via email requests to rent/lease property. Please be cautious of potential renters and subtenants who contact you by email expressing a desire to rent your property sight-unseen. Never issue refunds for overpayment on security deposits, first month’s rent, or utilities until you are certain that the initial check you received has cleared (International checks can take longer than domestic). If your rental or property is in the Town of Blacksburg and you suspect Internet fraud, contact the Blacksburg Police Department. For more information on this and other kinds of Internet fraud, please visit: www.firstgov.gov

by Virginia Tech University 2/9/2006
http://www.uusa.vt.edu/uusaServices/OCH/rentals/vtoch.htm

Cashier's check scam
The article is related to selling a car but has a section on cashier's check scams.
http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2006/01/15/selling_a_car_be_cautious/

Emory's Off Campus Listing Service Issues a Scam Alert
Landlord's are cautioned that we have recently experienced situations where potential tenants try to convince you to accept checks or money orders and then refund part of the money to them. Please understand that there is a well established SCAM frequently used on eBAY where people receive fake money orders which they are able to deposit successfully. Unfortunately their bank calls a few days later to give them the bad news and take back the deposited funds. These are usually arrangements from international sources and the con artist has some reason for you to hurry and give them the money. There may be very good and honest reasons to ask for these types of favors, but we wanted to warn you to use your best judgement. IT IS BECOMING VERY POSSIBLE TO FABRICATE A FAKE MONEY ORDER THAT CAN GET DEPOSITED OR CASHED AT MANY BANKS! Unfortunately, the bank will figure this out and come back to you for the money within a few days.

by Emory's Off Campus Housing Services 2/9/2006
http://housing.emory.edu/VENDORS/ownertips.html

Example of fraudulent request - sending a bogus check in the hope of receiving money back
Thanks for the quick response. I will be gladly like to inform you that my organiser aftermuch agreed to pay the requested amount of { $2400 PAYMENT FOR THE FIRST MONTH RENT AND ITS DEPOSIT STARTING FROM MY MOVING IN DATE WHICH WILL BE ON THE 5TH OF FEB} and my staying will be for a year,which will also be paid on the first of every month.Also it might be of your interest to know that a check will be issued to you in an excess amount,in which after you might have deduct your original amount will be sent to me via western union transfer.The excess amount is meant for my travelling allowance,feeding and other expenses. kindly get back to me with the underlisted information so that the payment can be issued out asap. NAME ON CASHIERS CHECK FULL CONTACT ADDRESS HOME PHONE NUMBER MOBILE PHONE NUMBER Also i will be moving into the apartment on 5th of feb and will be very honoured if you could furnish me with the required details so that we can proceed on payment.I am coming from the uk, England. am 24yrs and i studied fine and creative art from the LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY which i have graduated,here is my present address below.. 91 weaverly road london se18 7th united kingdom.i await the details.cheers

by a typical scammer 1/25/2006

Advice from Harvard Magazine: Question the legitimacy of each offer to rent your home
Here is what Harvard Magazine is telling their classifieds users: Dear Harvard Magazine classifieds advertiser, It has been brought to our attention that some of you have received fraudulent email from people claiming to want to rent your properties. We advise you to take some precautions, as with any transaction on the internet. Here are some tips below: -Confirm contact information Be particularly wary of renters willing to book your place without any questions, especially renters located overseas. Always verify the buyer's street address and phone number. -Verify that a certified check is genuine. Before you deposit a certified check, verify authenticity with the issuing bank-not just your bank. Make sure the account contains sufficient funds and the issuing bank guarantees payment on the check. It may take a week or more for the check to clear. It hasn't cleared just because your bank has accepted it and credited your account. -Beware of overpayment or other complicated payment schemes Don't agree to any plan where the buyer asks to send a check for more than the rental price and requests that the seller refund the difference. And be suspicious of any renter who proposes making payment through a friend or agent of the renter.
http://www.harvardmagazine.com/index.html

SabbaticalHomes.com advice: Never send money without checking references first

Find a few good questions below

Before I consider transfering any money to your bank account I need to receive verifiable information about you and your company: first of all, what is your name? Second, for whom do you work and where is your company registered and where does it have its headquarters? Third, I need a contract in which the location of the flat and its detailed description is enclosed -- and some answers to my questions below.

Sorry to ask about these precisions, but you must realise this is an internet correspondance... If the entailed delay means someone else gets the flat, well, that will be fate...
http://

Recognizing Scammers

. they are almost always in a hurry

. many cannot spell

. they will be unable to give you verifiable references

. they use Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's checks, money orders

. they will be unable to meet you in person

If you come accross such individuals, please email us at customerservice@SabbaticalHomes.com
http://

Reporting Internet Fraud

Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov)

FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)

FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)

Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov)

Please email us at customerservice@SabbaticalHomes.com to report a fraud attempt or a suspected scammer.
http://www.ic3.gov

Suggested Books back to top

The Family Sabbatical Handbook: The Budget Guide To Living Abroad With Your Family
An invaluable nuts and bolts guide to the how's and why's of taking a sabbatical abroad with your children. It includes humorous (and occasionally harrowing) anecdotes, suggestions and advice from the author and fifteen other ex-pat families who lived or are living with their children in China, Europe, Central America and Mexico.
http://www.familysabbatical.com

Tenant & Landlord Rights back to top

    Canada back to top

Ontario Tenants Rights
This nonprofit site provides information on tenants' legal rights, apartment security, child safety, dealing with pests, electricity prices and much more.
http://www.ontariotenants.ca

Landlord Guide
Tenant approval and landlord responsibilities.
http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/rt/gd-landlord.stm

Rental Agreement

http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/rt/agreement.stm

Security Deposit

http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/rt/sec-deposit.stm

Tenants' Guide

http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/rt/gd-tenant.stm

Statutory Conditions

http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/rt/stat-cond.stm

Off Campus housing sites back to top

    Australia back to top

University of New South Wales

http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/linkshr.html

The Australian National University

http://accom.anu.edu.au/UAS/187.html

    Canada back to top

Carleton University
Housing listings and local information
http://www.carleton.ca/cuasa/housing.html

McGill - Montreal, Quebec

http://www.mcgill.ca/offcampus/links/

Ryerson University
Offers valuable information about living in Toronto (eg: cost of living, rental agreement).
On-line university listings can only be accessed if you have a valid password from Ryerson
http://www.ryerson.ca/offcampushousing/

University of Manitoba
Special Sabbatical vacancies
Many on-line listings for off-campus housing
Map of Winnipeg
http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/housing/sabbaticalListings.htm

Simon Fraser University
Listing of wanted and available accommdations
http://www.sfufa.ca/accommodations.html

University of British Columbia
Listings are grouped by location, including the Vancouver area, Lower Mainland area, Okanagan area and beyond.
http://www.facultyassociation.ubc.ca/housing/torentlist.html

    UK back to top

Moving to Bristol
Looking to move to Bristol? Look no further than Medics on the Move. They offer a dedicated property search service which, help make the move easier, whether looking to rent or buy. They oversee the the whole process from start to move in and offer associated packages which also minimise stress and hassle in order to settle both you and the whole family into their new home.
http://www.movingtobristol.co.uk

Oxford Academic House Exchange
Home listings for anyone associated with a teaching or research establishment in Oxford .
http://www2.bioch.ox.ac.uk/~awatts/house.html

University of Edinburgh Accommodation Services
Hotel, suite and bed and breakfast options for staff.
http://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/staff/index.htm

University of Leeds
Information on student and staff housing.
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/about/housing/housing.htm#staff

York University Faculty Association

http://www.yufa.org/mas/index.html

    USA back to top

        Arizona back to top

Northern Arizona University

http://internationaloffice.nau.edu/menu/io_facultyresources.htm

        California back to top

University of California, Berkeley
Useful links to local information and guides as well as housing information.
One-time fee to subscribe to housing listings.
Additional sections for short-term, summer and post-doctorate visitors.
https://calrentals.housing.berkeley.edu/staff_services_c.asp

San Francisco State University
Links to local housing resources.
http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/offcampus.html

Sonoma State University
Housing site for students and staff of Sonoma State University.
http://www.ssu.och101.com/

University of California, Los Angeles

http://www.college.ucla.edu/faculty/housing.asp

California State University, Fullerton
Faculty Development Center site
http://fdc.fullerton.edu/teaching/resources/mentoring.htm

University Of Southern California
USC Academic Senate Housing Exchange Program
http://www.usc.edu/academe/acsen/resources_housingx_look.shtml

University of California, Santa Barbara

http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/faculty-housing.htm#whoweare

        Illinois back to top

Northwestern University

http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/

        Maryland back to top

Johns Hopkins University - Off-Campus Housing
Available to all Johns Hopkins affiliates, has all types of rental properties around Baltimore.
http://www.jhu.edu/hds/offcampus/

University of Maryland - Off-Campus Housing
Has a growing resource page for faculty
http://www.och.umd.edu/info/facultystaff.html

        Massachusetts back to top

Wellesley College

http://www.wellesley.edu/Housing/FacHousing/links.html

        Michigan back to top

Michigan State University
Many great on-campus accommodation options, off-campus listings available.
http://www.hfs.msu.edu/resopen.html

        North Carolina back to top

NC State University

http://www.ncsu.edu/human_resources/housing/

        New York back to top

NYU Medical Center/NYU School of Medicine
Off Campus Housing Assistance Program
http://www.med.nyu.edu/ochap/resources.html

Rental, sublease and home-exchange Agreement Packs back to top

Megadox
Subscription-based site that offers legal and business forms for several countries.
http://www.megadox.com/index.php

US Landlord and Tenant Forms

http://www.uslegalforms.com/landlordtenant/General.htm

Lawpack
Self-help legal publisher for the UK - includes section on property letting.
http://www.lawpack.co.uk/landlord_and_tenant.asp

Other housing resources back to top

    Home Exchanges back to top

Home Base Holidays
London-based home exchange agency (est. 1985) that shares listing with two agencies in France and one in the US. Many interesting listings, especially for shorter-term home swaps to the UK or France. One and two year membership options available.
http://www.homebase-hols.com/

HomeLink International
Canadian-based home exchange site established in 1953. Specializes in short-term and vacation home exchanges. Offers a great guide on how to arrange a home-exchange. Regional sites in 25 countries.
http://www.homelink.ca/

ExchangeHomes.com
Specializing in vacation exchanges throughout the world. Offers online guides and live customer service.
http://www.exchangehomes.com/

Global Home Exchange
Resources for academic home exchange, teaching exchange and sabbaticals
http://www.4homex.com/links.htm

Aussie House Swap
The home exchange service for home swap holidays within Australia and New Zealand. If you live anywhere in the world and would like to experience FREE holidays in Australia or New Zealand then why not house swap with a like-minded person for that exciting FREE holiday and never pay for accommodation again! 'Smart people holiday for free!'
http://www.aussiehouseswap.com.au/

    Vacation Rentals back to top

Vacapedia - Vacation Rentals Worldwide
Vacapedia will let you book properties for vacations woldwide directly on their site. Most properties are managed by property management companies.
SabbaticalHomes.com will receive a commission if you book through a link from our web site.
http://www.vacapedia.com

    House-sitting back to top

The Caretaker Gazette
Publication dedicated to property caretaking and housesitting opportunities, advice, and information for property caretakers, housesitters, and landowners.
http://www.caretaker.org/

Aussie House Sitters
The house sitting database for housesitting in Australia and New Zealand. If you're interested in looking after someone's home in exchange for free accommodation in Australia or New Zealand then please visit Aussie House Sitters and view the list of homeowner adverts.
http://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au/

House Sitters America
House Sitters America is the USA's house sitting directory. American homeowners and house sitters / caretakers can easily find each other using our simple to navigate website. Homeowners can place a free advert or scroll the list of registered sitters for absolutely no cost. Most house sitters are also happy to house sit for free, in exchange for free accommodation. House sitters and caretakers can register for a small fee and be seen by potentially millions of American homeowners and businesses.
http://www.housesittersamerica.com

Student Exchange Programs back to top

IIE Passport

http://www.iiepassport.org/

Fulbright Web Online
An online community bringing together Fulbright students, scholars, alumni, and the program's professional support network worldwide.
http://www.fulbrightweb.org/

Transportation back to top

IdeaMerge: tax-free auto leases in Europe + worldwide motor home rentals
Leases Renault in Europe to non European Union residents.

Handles every order on a name-only basis.

Sabbaticalhomes has received positive personal testimonials from four academics who have used Ideamerge: "totally professional", "very responsive", "get brand new car", "much cheaper than renting (if over 30 days)","walked us through all the steps" ..etc...(more testimonials available upon request.

NOTE: Sabbaticalhomes.com will receive a commission award for each referral to IdeaMerge.
http://www.ideamerge.com/117.html