A mutual exchange is where you swap your home and tenancy contract with someone.

It's different to a tenancy transfer where you apply and bid for a new home on a local housing register and are prioritised based on your needs.

To complete a mutual exchange, you will need to:

  • find a mutual exchange partner

  • get written permission from your landlords

  • prepare your home for the new tenant

  • have a visit where we check the condition of your home

  • complete legal paperwork to swap tenancy contracts

You'll be at risk of eviction if you swap homes without permission or without signing the necessary documents.

Eligibility

You must be able to afford the rent in your new home.

Eligible tenancy types

You can exchange if your tenancy type is:

  • Assured (Non-Shorthold)

  • Protected Assured

You can't exchange if your tenancy type is 'Starter'. If you've moved in to one of our homes within the last 12 months then you are probably on a starter tenancy.

You can check your tenancy type in your tenancy agreement document.

Reasons we'll decline

We'll decline your mutual exchange if:

  • you have significant debt (you need to leave your account with a ‘zero’ balance)

  • you’ve made any unapproved changes to your home

  • you’ve broken the terms of your tenancy agreement

  • we’ve gone to court over your tenancy in the last 12 months

  • any of your exchange households has paid another household to swap homes

We’ll also decline your mutual exchange if the home you’re moving to:

  • is larger than you reasonably need

  • is ‘sheltered’ accommodation and you don’t qualify

  • has a disability adaptation you won’t need

Where to find a mutual exchange partner

You can swap with another housing association or council tenant from anywhere in the country.

Before you apply for a mutual exchange, you can use a mutual exchange website to find a partner.

We recommend HomeSwapper which is free to use. Once you’ve registered, you can get details of properties, make contact with other tenants and arrange to view their homes.

You'll be asked for details about your current home, the kind of home you're looking for and where you want to live.

Apply for a mutual exchange

We have now launched the Homeswapper tracker. This means if you and your mutual exchange partner/s are on homeswapper you can apply directly through your account and you can track the progress through the portal.

You can still  apply online with our Mutual Exchange online application form.

Soon after you've completed your application you can track the progress of your mutual exchange in My Account.

What you'll need to apply

For each home involved in the exchange, you'll need the:

  • home address

  • tenant name

  • tenant phone number

  • tenant email address

  • name of the landlord

To the best of your knowledge you should tell us if your home has any:

  • disabled adaptations

  • modifications to rooms, that you’ve made

  • structural changes or extensions

  • external structures, including sheds and garages

You must tell us if the household moving into your home is bringing any pets with them.

When you have all these details you should apply.

How long does a mutual exchange take

We’ll give you a decision on your application within 42 calendar days. This is a statutory requirement, and we may give you conditional permission to move, based on repairs which we or you need to complete, or if you need to pay any rent arrears.

It can take longer to move as we need to complete safety checks on gas and electrics, and arrange for tenancy agreements to be signed.

If you swap homes early without permission, or without signing the necessary documents, then you’ll both be at risk of eviction.

Swapping tenancy agreements

When you swap homes in a mutual exchange you also swap tenancy agreements.

You should check that you’re happy to take on your exchange partner’s tenancy agreement.

If you’re moving into one of our homes, we’ll send you a copy of your tenancy agreement to review shortly after you apply.

Accepting the condition of your new home

It's your responsibility to inspect the property thoroughly before you agree to move and again before you hand over your keys.

Agree with your exchange partner:

  • the condition they will be leaving the property in

  • who will be responsible for any outstanding repairs or rubbish

You must not assume that mhs homes will take responsibility for carrying out any work unless you have written confirmation that we will do so.

As your landlord we'll:

  • fix any faults we find that can be reasonably identified in our safety checks

  • repair anything that's our responsibility to maintain,

  • tell you what we found in our inspection so you can check you're happy

We'll also provide you with:

  • an up to date energy performance certificate

  • electrical safety certificate

  • gas certificate (if the home has gas)

We won’t:

  • re-decorate

  • remove any old furniture or rubbish

  • clear the garden