What is mutual exchange

A mutual exchange lets you swap homes with another social housing tenant, whether they’re with a housing association or a local council, anywhere in the country. It’s a great way to find a bigger home, move closer to family, downsize or simply find a home that better suits your need.

Before going ahead with a mutual exchange, we recommend speaking with us first. We can guide you through the mutual exchange process, explain what to expect, discuss any implications and explore how we can support you along the way.

How to swap your home: a step-by-step guide

Step 1: Getting started

We work with Homeswapper, a national platform where you can advertise your current home and search for other homes available to swap. To register, you’ll need to provide your name and email address.

Step 2: You’ve found a home you’d like to swap with

Before agreeing to a swap, we recommend that you view the property in person. You’ll be accepting it in its current condition, so make sure it meets your needs. The other tenant may also want to view your home.

When taking part in viewings, you should:

  • Take someone with you. If you go alone, let someone know where you're going and when you'll be back.
  • Don’t be alone when showing your home to someone.
  • Keep valuables out of sight, including car keys, wallets and electronics.

When viewing a property, make sure your happy with its condition. Once you move, you’ll be responsible for any issues (except normal wear and tear).

When viewing a property, inspect it carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions like:

  • How much is the rent?
  • What service charges do you pay? Service charges vary depending on property, so it’s important to consider any additional costs.
  • What are the neighbours like?
  • What local amenities are nearby?
  • What repairs have you recently had on the home?

We’ve put together even more question to ask and advice when swapping homes in our helpful guide here.

Step 3: Applying to swap

You’ve viewed the property, you’re happy with it and you want to swap. Here’s what to do next:

Contact us and request a ‘Mutual Exchange Application Form’, this’ll need to be completed by you and the other tenant. You can request this by:

Once we’ve received all the application forms, we’ll review them and provide a decision within 42 days. We will confirm our response using your preferred contact method.

As part of our review, we will consider whether the new home is suitable for your household, we’ll also consider any outstanding rent or other charges on your account as well as the condition of your home.

Repairs and alterations

As part of the mutual exchange review, we’ll arrange a property inspection to check if any repairs are needed before the swap can go ahead.

Please note, if any repairs are required that go beyond normal wear and tear, you will be charged for the cost.

We’ll also inspect the property for any non-standard alternations, such as conservatories or sheds, which will not be maintained by Alliance Homes.

The incoming tenant will receive a list of any alterations made to the property, which they’ll accept as part of taking the home in its current condition. You’ll be asked to sign a form confirming this.

Step 4: Swapping homes

Your application has been successful, what next?

Your new tenancy will start on the date of assignment, this is the date agreed by you, the other tenant, and both landlords for the swap to take place. This date will be clearly stated in your Deed of Assignment.

It’s important to know that from this date, you’ll be responsible for paying rent and service charges for your new home. The Deed of Assignment will include a breakdown of these charges.

Keep this document safe, it’s your record of the exchange and will be useful if you need to update your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit claim.

  • To help make your move easy, we’ve put together a checklist of important things to do:
  • Take a meter reading for both your new and old home and contact your utility companies about the move
  • Check the property and any outdoor spaces are clear of the previous tenant's belongings including outhouses, gardens and loft space
  •  Make sure you've got all the keys
  • Identify where your stop cock.

Can my application be refused?

Yes. Our most common grounds for refusal are:

  • If you have a "starter tenancy", it's not possible to exchange your tenancy until it has been converted. We’ve got more information about out tenancies here.
  • Your home is designed or adapted for a special need (for example, sheltered accommodation or a property with adaptations for a disabled person) and the other tenant does not have any such special need
  • Either you or the other tenant has caused anti-social behaviour in the last two years
  • You are currently bankrupt or subject to a Debt Relief Order
  • If you owe us rent or any other money, you need to clear the debt before we can give permission
  • If you have damaged your home or done any unauthorised alterations, you must put things right before we will give permission
  • We have a Possession Order against you
  • We have served you with a Notice Seeking Possession of your home.

Quick links and useful documents