If you live in a housing association property or a council home, you can swap your home. This is known as a mutual exchange.
You will need to find someone suitable to swap with.
When applying for a mutual exchange, the following conditions apply:
- you must not exchange with someone that leaves either household statutorily overcrowded
- you can exchange to a property that has 1 bedroom more than you need, with the exception of a single person moving into a 2 bed house (a 2 bed flat would be accepted)
- you must have a clear rent account before applying for a mutual exchange
- you will be unable to swap if either property has significant disabled adaptations that the other party does not require
Read our tenancy management policy for more information about mutual home exchanges.
How to mutually exchange properties
You can apply to mutually exchange properties online. Both households looking to swap will need to complete the form.
As part of the process, a surveyor will visit your home to check if it needs any repairs or alterations. We may ask that these are made before you continue.
By law there is a statutory period of 42 days where the housing provider has to let the applicant know whether the exchange is successful, delayed or cancelled.
Once references are collected and all housing providers are in agreement, the exchange will be confirmed to all parties and a sign-up can be done.
If you are on benefits, we will contact you to discuss your affordability.
Homes swap websites
Homeswapper is a free national home swap service for social tenants in rented property who want a house swap, flat swap or want to exchange their council property.
Exchange Locata is a website for social housing tenants looking to swap council houses, housing association homes or flats online.