What is a Mutual Exchange?

A Mutual Exchange is a swap of properties between two or more social housing  sector tenants which results on each party moving permanently into  each others homes. A tenant cannot exchange into an empty property, this would be called a transfer.

All Council and Housing Association Housing Trusing and Co-operative tenants with Secure Tenancies and most Housing Association & Housing Trust tenants with Assured Tenancies can apply to exchange homes. All tenants must get permission from their landlord before going ahead with their home swap. Its quite simple to do, some paperwork will need to filled out though there is no charge for this. Only once you have been given  permission can you complete the  mutual home swap process.

Why do I need to apply for permission?

You are responsible for your home and for paying  your rent  and water rates if combined on time. You are required to keep to the terms of your Tenancy Agreement and must not swap homes with another tenant without your Landlords permission otherwise you will be breaking the law. The Landlord could take legal action against you if you exchange your accommodation without permission which could result in all parties involved loosing their homes.

Before a landlord allows an exchange to take place, the Landlord will check that the tenants have met certain conditions: 

• Your rent has been paid up to date with no outstanding arrears 
• Each tenant must move to a home thats suitable for their housing needs. On occassions but rarely a tenant may be allowed a spare bedroom. 
• A tenant moving into a specially adapted property must be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance DLA , landlords do not usually allow able body tenants to move into disabled housing or housing for special needs. 
• If your home has been specifically built for a specific tenant such as over 55 years only or  elderly tenants then the swap partner must also be over 55 or elderly, these homes are often bungalows or ground floor flats and warden controlled community housing. 
• Some tenants may be told to do some DIY in the form of decorating or other housing maintenance before their home exchange can be accepted, Alternatively the new occupier may be allowed to sign an agreement, to take on the responsibility of alterations to a home. 
• Not all tenants have the right to buy (rtb) once they have moved so check with the landlords and not the tenants before you swap! 
• You can swap homes within the UK which includes England Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland.

How will I find someone to exchange with?

How successful is this Exchange Website?

The exchange site has been very successful for thousands of tenants, as our tenants find their exchanges we delete their accounts with us, over 10,000 have been deleted so far!  Each month more people are finding themselves suitable exchange partners and are able to move into the type of property that they had previously been waiting for.  The future success of the site depends on you, the tenants.  The more people that help themselves by registering on the site and adding an exchange advertisement, the better the chance everyone has of finding a suitable exchange partner.

Does this website cover all of the UK?

Yes, because council-exchange.org is a National site, it covers all areas within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Each of the Countries have been spilt into Counties and Regions to help tenants find a specific area they are looking for. All adverts are placed on the boards according to what is offered and no duplicate adverts are allowed within the Country and County boards.

Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Ireland (southern)

We do not provide advertising categories for the following Country and Islands

• For Swaps to Southern Ireland Please speak to your landlord as it is a Country outside of the UK
• Isle of Man - The island is not part of the UK, though the Island is the responsibility of the UK's government. You will need to contact your landlord to find out if its possible to move there.
• Swaps to the Channel Islands are not part of the UK but are British Crown dependencies, you will need to seek the advice of your landlord.

Step by Step Guide to Using the Forum

For furhter details on how to use the forum and a guide to finding your exchange and what to do next do visit our advertising guide page which can be found in the resource section

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