A mutual exchange is when you swap homes with another council or housing association tenant. This can help you move more quickly than waiting for a transfer or bidding for a property.
A mutual exchange can help if you want to:
- move for work or family reasons
- downsize or upsize
- find a home that better suits your needs
- move to a different area
Who can apply
You can usually apply if you are:
- a secure tenant
- a flexible tenant
- a tenant of another social landlord with the right to exchange
You cannot apply if you are:
- an introductory or starter tenant
- an assured shorthold tenant
- a licence holder or shared owner
If you are a joint tenant, all tenants must agree before applying.
Find a mutual exchange
Search for a swap partner by:
- using the Homeswapper website - this free service matches you with other home swappers locally and nationally
- asking friends, family or community contacts
- checking local newspapers, community internet sites or shop windows for private adverts
Even if you find someone yourself, you must still apply through the council.
Important things to consider
When you are thinking about starting a mutual exchange, make sure you get full information about the property you are interested in moving to, including:
Rent charges
Social housing properties have different rent levels. Make sure you know how much rent is charged on the property 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
The tenancy type offered in another property may be different from your current tenancy, and your rights under the new tenancy could change. Make sure you are clear what type of tenancy you are exchanging into.
Succession rights
Under certain circumstances, close relatives are entitled to succeed to a secure tenancy. The right to succession is linked to the individual tenant and it transfers with the tenant(s) when they move in a mutual exchange. If you have previously succeeded a tenancy, no further successions will be permitted, even in a different property.
Right to Buy
Check if you would be eligible for Right to Buy in the new property. Housing association properties are not included in the Right to Buy scheme.
If you are unsure about any of these points, speak to your housing officer, the landlord of the property you are thinking of exchanging with, or seek independent advice.
We recommend that you and your swap partner check each other’s homes before agreeing to 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.
It is against the law to offer incentives to complete a mutual exchange.
How to apply
Once you have agreed to swap with someone, you can apply for a mutual exchange. You will need to:
- complete an application form
- provide details of everyone in your household
- include any requested documents
- get signatures from all joint tenants
Your application will only be assessed once it is complete.
What happens after you apply
The council will:
- check your application
- contact any other landlords involved
- carry out tenancy and rent checks
- assess whether the property is suitable
- arrange an inspection of the property
The council has up to 42 days to make a decision once your application is complete.
Property inspections
Before a swap is approved, your home will be inspected to check:
- its condition and cleanliness
- any repairs or health and safety issues
- any alterations or damage
You may need to:
- complete repairs
- pay for damage you are responsible for
The exchange cannot go ahead until these issues are resolved.
What decision will you receive
You will receive a written decision. This will be one of the following:
Approved
Your exchange can go ahead.
Conditionally approved
You must complete certain actions first, such as:
- paying rent arrears
- fixing repairs
Refused
Applications are only refused for legal reasons, such as:
- rent arrears or tenancy breaches
- anti-social behaviour or legal action
- the property being too big or unsuitable
- the home being specially adapted and not needed by the incoming tenant
- local connection rules applying to the property
If you are unhappy with a decision
If you disagree with a decision, you can make a complaint through the council’s complaints process and ask for the decision to be reviewed.
If you are still not satisfied, you can contact the Housing Ombudsman.
How mutual exchange can affect your tenancy
Your tenancy type may change after the exchange – you may move from a secure tenancy to a flexible tenancy, or vice versa.
This could affect your security of tenure, so it’s important to understand this before agreeing to the exchange.
Your responsibilities
Before the exchange
You must:
- provide accurate information
- allow access for inspections
- complete any required repairs
- leave your home clean and empty
After the exchange
You are responsible for:
- paying rent from the correct date
- setting up utilities
- following your new tenancy agreement
Further information
If you require any further information about swapping your council home, please contact us.
Read our mutual exchange policy.