Home Swap and Mutual Exchange

You can exchange your home with another CHP tenant, other housing associations, or a council as long as you both have an assured or secure tenancy. Assured shorthold tenants cannot take part in a mutual exchange.

You must get written permission from us and sign all the necessary documents before you move.

What does it mean?

A mutual exchange means that you will take on all the tenancy rights and responsibilities of your exchange partner. However, please think about it carefully because your rights may be affected depending on what type of tenancy you and your exchange partner have. For example, your right to buy and how your rent is set could be affected. Contact this office if you re not sure what type of tenancy you have or whether your rights will change if you move.

How do I find someone to exchange with?

Look through the register held in our town centre office. There is also a national register called HOMESWAP for tenants who want to move to other areas of the country. You can register online.

You can also register on the House Exchange website. House Exchange is a web site that has been designed to bring people together who are looking to swap their home. Using the site is easy and FREE!

You could also look at or advertise in local papers or notice boards. Ask for more details and pick up an application form from our town centre office.

What happens when I have found someone to exchange with?

As soon as you have found an exchange partner you must contact us and complete an application form - you cannot move without our permission. You will need to give us details of:

the date you made the request
the name and address of the person you wish to exchange with
the other landlord.

We will visit to inspect your home and, if necessary, ask you to make good any alterations or damage that we consider your responsibility. Where appropriate we will write to the other landlord giving details about:

you
your household
the type of property you live in
any breaches in your tenancy including rent arrears or court costs.

We will ask the other landlord for the same information about their tenant.

When you move into your new home through a mutual exchange, you accept it as it stands unless we tell you otherwise. This means that you become responsible for any improvements, alterations or damage carried out by your exchange partner.

Moving without permission

If you do not get our written permission before you move, you could make yourself homeless.

Waiting for approval

We will respond to your request within 42 days. When considering your request to exchange, we (and other landlords) will apply the rules laid down by law in Schedule 3 of the Housing Act 1985.

We are allowed to refuse your request if:

you have rent arrears
we have started legal action against you
your home is too big or too small for the incoming household
you have paid a sum of money to your exchange partner.

Full details of these reasons are available from our offices.

Once we have visited you and received all the information, we will consider your request and write to you with our decision. If we approve your request, you will need to agree with us: