Mutual exchange

A mutual exchange is one of the quickest and easiest ways to move home, and we will support and encourage any residents who wish to exchange their home with another resident.

If you are an assured tenant you can exchange your home with any of the following residents:

• an assured tenant who lives in one of our properties;
• an assured tenant of another housing association;
• a secure tenant of a local authority.

What do I have to do if I would like to exchange my home?

If you would like to go on our Mutual Exchange Register, please download the Mutual Exchange Request Form and return it to us, alternatively please ask your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or our Customer Service Adviser for a copy.

Once completed and returned to us, details about your current property and your required property will be made available to other residents via the Mutual Exchange Register which can be viewed below and also in our reception area. This register contains the details of all residents looking to exchange their homes.

If there is a property on the register that you would like to know more about, or if you would like to arrange a viewing, please contact us or call us on 01903 703 100. You will need to quote the reference number of the property you are interested in, and provide your full contact details.

Once you have found someone to exchange with, please download and complete our Mutual Exchange Application Form, or ask your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or our Customer Service Adviser for a copy.

If you would like to exchange your home with a resident of another landlord or local council you can register on the Homeswapper website.

Homeswapper is a national exchange register, which puts tenants in touch with others looking to exchange anywhere in the country and is easy to use.

What checks should I make before I agree to swap?

Make sure that you check out the type of tenancy you will be given – the main difference are:

• the rent and any other costs (such as service charges);
• the Right to Buy.

If repairs are needed, check if they will be carried out.

Make sure you can afford the moving expenses. If you are claiming benefits, you may qualify for a loan from the Social Fund. You will need to contact your local Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office.

If you have any questions, please contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer.

What happens when I have found someone to exchange with?

When you have found someone you would like to exchange homes with, you and the party you wish to exchange with will need to fill in a Mutual Exchange Application Form (please see above for a download link). You must not exchange your home without first getting our permission in writing.

Once we have received your completed application form, we will process your application within 42 working days and write to you to confirm our decision.

You may not be allowed to exchange your home if:

• you or the person you want to swap with have been served with a possession order or a suspended possession order;
• a notice seeking possession has been served on you or the person you want to swap with or possession proceedings have begun;
• the property you want to move into is much larger or too small for your needs or your property is much larger or too small for the person you want to swap with needs;
• the property you want to move into is provided for a particular reason, for example, it has been adapted for a person with disabilities or is a sheltered home;
• you or the person you want to swap with has a Possession Order, Injunction Order or Anti-Social Behaviour Order against them or court action to obtain such an order is pending;
• a demotion order is pending against either you or the person you want to swap with.

Once you have received written permission, the Neighbourhood Housing Officer will arrange a meeting with both you and the person you want to swap with to:

• sign the assignment agreement;
• explain how to go about arranging the move;
• give the person you are swapping with an information pack.

The Mutual Exchange Register

The register is divided into individual documents for each type of accommodation. Please download the PDF that interests you from the list below:

• Studios - Mutual Exchange Register
• Bungalows - Mutual Exchange Register
• One Bedroom Flats - Mutual Exchange Register
• Two Bedroom Flats - Mutual Exchange Register
• Three Bedroom Flats - Mutual Exchange Register
• One Bedroom Houses - Mutual Exchange Register
• Two Bedroom Houses - Mutual Exchange Register
• Three Bedroom Houses - Mutual Exchange Register
• Four Bedroom Houses - Mutual Exchange Register