Mutual Exchange
When two or more tenants agree to exchange social housing properties
A mutual exchange is when two or more council or housing association tenants agree to exchange (swap) their properties. Tenants agreeing to exchange homes must move into each other’s homes. Exchanges into empty properties are not permitted.
You may move to any area within the UK. You can apply for an exchange to a property larger than your family requires, however all approvals are at the discretion of the Landlord.
To exchange properties, you must have a clear rent account with no arrears and your property must be in a good condition.
When you exchange, you are exchanging tenancies as well as properties so your existing tenancy agreement will end and a new one will begin. This means your tenancy terms and conditions may change.
You can exchange with:
- Another council tenant
- A housing association tenant
A mutual exchange is when two or more council or housing association tenants agree to exchange (swap) their properties. Tenants agreeing to exchange homes must move into each other’s homes. Exchanges into empty properties are not permitted.
You may move to any area within the UK. You can apply for an exchange to a property larger than your family requires, however all approvals are at the discretion of the Landlord.
To exchange properties, you must have a clear rent account with no arrears and your property must be in a good condition.
When you exchange, you are exchanging tenancies as well as properties so your existing tenancy agreement will end and a new one will begin. This means your tenancy terms and conditions may change.
You can exchange with:
- Another council tenant
- A housing association tenant
How to find a mutual exchange
There are many websites dedicated to finding a mutual exchange. Some sites are free to join, others charge a small registration fee. To improve your chances you should register with as many websites as possible.
- Home swapper (Free to Sutton Housing Partnership tenants and tenants of most housing associations)
- House exchange
- Swap and move
- Council exchange
- UK home swap
- Gumtree
You can also find home swap groups on Facebook by searching terms such as ‘home swap’ or ‘mutual exchange’ within the area you are interested in.
How does it work?
-
- Once you have found a property you are interested in, contact the tenant to ask if they are interested in yours. If someone contacts you first, check out their advert.
- If you are both interested, arrange a time to view each other’s properties.
- Once you have found someone you would like to swap with, you both need to contact your own Landlords to request a mutual exchange application form.
- Once they receive your application, your landlord has 42 days to provide you with a decision.
- Once an exchange has been agreed by all parties, you and your exchange partner will agree on a moving date.
How does it work?
-
- Once you have found a property you are interested in, contact the tenant to ask if they are interested in yours. If someone contacts you first, check out their advert.
- If you are both interested, arrange a time to view each other’s properties.
- Once you have found someone you would like to swap with, you both need to contact your own Landlords to request a mutual exchange application form.
- Once they receive your application, your landlord has 42 days to provide you with a decision.
- Once an exchange has been agreed by all parties, you and your exchange partner will agree on a moving date.
Downsizing via Mutual Exchange
If you are a tenant of Sutton Housing Partnership or one of our partner housing associations, then you may qualify for a financial incentive and help with removal costs if you downsize by doing a mutual exchange. To qualify, you will need to register with our Under Occupation Scheme prior to doing a mutual exchange. Please contact the Under Occupation Officer on 020 8770 5000 for more information.
Apply
If you are a Sutton Housing Partnership tenant and wish to apply for an exchange, you can do this online.
Alternatively please call Sutton Housing Partnership on 020 8915 2000 or email customercare@suttonhousingpartnership.org.uk