Yes, that’s a better analogy.
Actually swapping house like a hermit crab swap shell would leave very little time to move furniture, put some fresh paint on walls, have the owner review the house to return the security deposit, etc
Pretty sure hermit crabs (like most animals) aren’t renting. The previous owner of that shell has abandoned it, so they’d be squatters or, lacking any concept of private property, simply inhabitants. Point is they wouldn’t need any owner to return security deposits they never made.
Moving furniture and personal belongings is a good point though, they don’t have any of that. Most houses aren’t too mobile either. Clothes just fit better.