Mutual Exchange

Mutual exchange allows social housing residents to relocate to another property by swapping their home with other social housing residents anywhere in the country.

Mutual exchange allows social housing residents to relocate to another property by swapping their home with other social housing residents anywhere in the country.

If you’re thinking of making a move to somewhere new, mutual exchange could be a great option. Mutual exchange provides local housing residents with the opportunity to swap their home with another resident of social housing. 

The easiest way swap your home is by using the National Housing Exchange Scheme where thousands of people are looking to move home every day. Simply sign up to House Exchange to find a range of properties across the country. Once registered you can arrange viewings and start your journey to move home. 

If you’re finding it difficult to sign up to house exchange, please contact us using the contact form and we’ll try to support you with registering for the House Exchange service.

The best chance of exchanging

There may be many reasons for changing your social housing tenancy, maybe you’ve found a new job and you need to be closer to work or you’re home is too large for you as your kids have fled the nest. 

Whatever the reason, you can swap with a social housing or council resident in the UK providing you both have the right to a mutual exchange and agree to the swap.

Step 1

Find someone who is also looking to swap their home. The House Exchange service is a great place to start. Once you find somewhere, inform your Neighbourhood Officer of your decision.

Step 2

You’ll need to obtain permission from your registered provider and check that the party you wish to swap with also has permission to swap their home using mutual exchange.

Step 3

Arrange a visual inspection of your property. Providing this has been approved, you’ll need to complete the legal paperwork required to complete an exchange.

How do we determine if an exchange can go ahead?

We carry out a property inspection upon your request to move. This inspection will allow us to understand the condition of the property and review any alterations that have been made, address any repairs which are your responsibility before you move. 

Things we’ll look out for: 

  • Any signs of neglect of the property 
  • DIY or improvements that have been made to your current home which haven’t been approved by us 
  • Any outstanding repairs which are your responsibility before you move 

Once all repairs have been completed, you can arrange another visit for us to review the repairs and ensure they have been completed to a suitable standard. 

Repairs must be completed to the expected standard otherwise we will not permit an exchange. 

Any repairs that are the responsibility of One Manchester will be reported to our repairs team and will need to be completed before the exchange goes ahead.

Mutual Exchange FAQ's

We want to help you with your exchange as much as possible, so we’ve highlighted some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to exchanging your home.

The mutual exchange process can vary in the time it takes to complete the exchange due to individual factors relating to the tenancy such as outstanding repairs, finding a home etc. 

One Manchester has 42 days from the official request in writing to provide a decision on the request for mutual exchange. 

Secure tenancies, including flexible tenancies, are public sector tenancies governed by the Housing Act 1985.

When you’ve found a property you are interested in viewing, usually using the housing exchange service, you will be able to arrange a viewing using their website after signing up. 

 

It is important our tenants and Neighbourhood Officers have positive relationship. We’ll do the best we can to support you with your exchange, although where there are issues with your tenancy, One Manchester has the right to refuse an exchange. Some of the reasons for refusal are: 

  • Outstanding rent arrears on your property - these must be paid before any exchange can take place
  • You have not complied with the terms of your tenancy agreement 
  • The home you are moving to is unsuitable for your living arrangements i.e. overcrowded or under occupied 
  • You or someone you live with has an outstanding anti-social behaviour court order 
  • You have been served a notice seeking possession of the property 
  • The property was built for, or adapted for a person with special accessibility requirements and either of the parties do not meet the criteria for that property 
  • The property is specifically designed for elderly people only and you do not meet the age-related criteria of that property