Cookie Policy
This page explains every cookie (and similar browser storage) Mutual Home Exchange uses, why, and how long each one lasts. You can change your choice at any time using the "Cookie preferences" link in the footer, which reopens the consent banner.
Essential (always active)
These can't be switched off, since the site simply doesn't work without them - there's no consent option for these, as they're exempt from consent requirements under UK PECR.
| Name | Purpose | Duration | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
PHPSESSID | Keeps you logged in and remembers your session as you move between pages | Until you close your browser | Us (first-party) |
hs_cookie_consent | Remembers your accept/reject choice from the cookie banner, so we don't ask on every visit | 180 days | Us (first-party) |
Preferences
Stored in your browser's local storage rather than as a cookie, but covered here since it works the same way - it stays on your device and isn't sent to us.
| Name | Purpose | Duration | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
hs-theme | Remembers whether you prefer light or dark mode | Until cleared, or you switch it | Us (local storage, not a cookie) |
Analytics (only with your consent)
We use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used - which pages get visited, roughly how people find us - so we can improve it. We run this through Google's Consent Mode, which means the tracking script itself loads on every visit, but the actual cookies below are only set once you've accepted analytics cookies via the banner; before that, Google receives only anonymous, cookie-less signals.
| Name | Purpose | Duration | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Distinguishes one visitor from another for reporting | 2 years (some browsers cap this around 13 months) | Google Analytics (third-party) |
_ga_<container-id> | Maintains your current session state within Analytics | 2 years | Google Analytics (third-party) |
Advertising (only with your consent, and only while ads are active)
When ads are switched on for the site and you've accepted advertising cookies, Google AdSense may set the cookies below to show relevant ads and measure how they perform. If ads aren't currently enabled, or you haven't accepted, none of these are set.
| Name | Purpose | Duration | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
__gads, __gpi | Ad targeting and limiting how often you see the same ad | 13 months | Google AdSense (third-party) |
IDE | Tracks ad performance across sites and supports ad personalisation | 13 months (UK/EEA) | Google / DoubleClick (third-party) |
DSID | Ad targeting if you're signed into a Google account | 2 weeks | Google (third-party) |
Changing your choice
Click "Cookie preferences" in the footer at any time to reopen the banner and change what you've accepted. Rejecting non-essential cookies doesn't affect your ability to use the core site - browsing, listing, messaging, and matching all work exactly the same either way.
Learn more
For Google's own, more detailed breakdown of what these cookies do and how their advertising and analytics products use data generally, see Google's cookie policy. For how we handle your personal data more broadly, see our Privacy Policy.