A mutual exchange is when one tenant swaps homes with another tenant. Only tenants who have a secure tenancy agreement are allowed to do this, and both parties will need written permission from their landlords. A mutual exchange could faster way to move than waiting for a transfer.
Find a mutual exchange
Search for a mutual exchange by:
- searching the Homeswapper website - this free service matches you with other home swappers locally and nationally
- checking local newspapers, community internet sites or shop windows for private adverts
Be careful when sharing your personal details. Take someone with you when you visit any property, and tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return.
Important things to consider
It’s important that you understand the full implications of an exchange before you move.
When you’re thinking about starting a mutual exchange, make sure you get full information about the property, including:
Rent charges
Social housing properties have different rent levels. Make sure you know how much rent is charged on the property you are interested in moving to, and consider if the rent is affordable for you.
Service charges
With some properties, you have to pay service charges as well as rent charges. These can be to pay for the cleaning of communal areas like landings or shared gardens. Make sure you ask if there are any additional service charges associated with the property.
Tenancy type
If you are considering Mutual Exchange with another social housing landlord, the tenancy type they offer may be different from your North Yorkshire Council tenancy, and your rights under the new tenancy may change. Make sure you are clear what type of tenancy you are exchanging into, and if you are unsure of the implications, seek independent advice.
Succession rights
Under certain circumstances, close relatives are entitled to succeed to a secure tenancy. The right to succession is personal to the individual tenant(s) and this right transfers with the tenant(s) when they move in a mutual exchange. If the incoming tenant has previously succeeded to a tenancy, no further successions would be permitted even though it is a different property.
Right to Buy
Check if you will be eligible for Right to Buy in the new property. Housing Association properties are not included in the Right to Buy scheme.
If you’re unsure on any of these points, speak to your Housing Officer, the landlord of the property you’re thinking of exchanging with, or seek independent advice.
It is against the law to offer incentives to complete a mutual exchange.
When you’ve found a swap
We always suggest you check each other’s homes before agreeing to a swap. If you complete and exchange, you will be agreeing to accept the property ‘as seen’ and you will be responsible for maintaining any improvements or alterations that have been made by the current tenant.
Your landlord will need to carry out an initial inspection of your property. This is to identify and solve any problems before any new tenant moves in. This might include checking for outstanding repairs or looking for evidence of damp and mould.
After your landlord has agreed to the swap
As well as the initial inspection, your landlord will need to carry out gas and electrical safety checks. These are a legal requirement. A date for moving is agreed by each of the parties to the exchange and their landlords. On the day of the move, you’ll be asked to meet at an agreed time and place to sign a Deed of Assignment to transfer your tenancy to the new address. Once you have signed the Deed, you’ll be the legal tenant of your new home and will lose the right to stay in your old home.