Mutual Exchange
1.What is a Mutual Exchange?A mutual exchange is when tenants agree to swap their houses, with the consent of their landlord(s).
2. Can anyone apply for an exchange?
Tenants of a Local Authority, Scottish Homes, Housing Associations or of any other Registered Social Landlord. Each Landlord is likely to require that applicants have held their current tenancy, in their own name, for a minimum qualifying period. For Homes for Life Housing Partnerships tenants, this period is currently six months.
3. How do I find someone to exchange with?
We hold a mutual exchange register which gives details of people who want to swap. The current list can be seen in the office or by clicking Homes for Life Mutual Exchange List December 09
East Lothian Council and East Lothian Housing Association both hold lists and you can apply for your details to be put on their registers. East Lothian Housing Associations list can also be viewed on their website
You can also advertise in the local press or respond to such adverts.
4. What happens when I find someone?
First of all you should contact the person and arrange to view each others houses. Homes for Life can provide check sheets to record your inspection, but you do not have to use these.
If you want to go ahead, you must get permission from both of your Landlords. Contact the Landlords and ask for mutual exchange application forms or download them here
Homes for Lifes tenants -
NON Homes for Life tenants - NON Homes for Life tenant Mutual Exchange Application Form
Forms must be submitted to both Landlords.
5. What happens next?
The Landlords will normally visit and carry out a full house inspection. Both houses must be in acceptable condition, both rent accounts must be clear and tenancy conditions must have been complied with, before permission to exchange will be granted.
6. Does the size of the house matter?
Yes. A mutual exchange will not be allowed if it will result in overcrowding or substantial under occupancy of a property.
7. Are there any conditions attached?
Yes. In applying for an exchange, both applicants agree to accept each others house in the condition they are in at the time of exchange. The Landlord will not normally do any repairs that are the tenants responsibility. Once the exchange has taken place, both applicants must live in their new home for at least six months.
8. Where can I get more information?
Simply contact the office and ask to speak to your Housing Officer.
HomeSwapper
We are delighted to announce a new Mutual Exchange Service for Homes for Life Tenants!
Is your home too small for your household? Too big now the kids have left home? Or do youneed to move for work, training or other reasons?
HomeSwapper
| Registration is easy, via the internet and FREE . If you have no internet access please contact the office and we can arrange for a paper registration form for you to complete. |
HomeSwapper is the
HomeSwapper is for social tenants looking for a house swap, often called a 'mutualexchange' HomeSwapper is quick and easy to use with powerful and effective matching of people and properties. Tenants register the details of the property they currently live in, post some photographs of their home and specify thet ype of property they want to move to and where.
As well as being able to search the site and check for any matching swaps online, once registered, members can also chose to receive weekly emails or fortnightly text messages detailing properties which have been automatically matched to their requirements – HomeSwapper proactively finds matches for them.
The site also features a forum where swappers can ask questions about any of theregistered homes they are interested in – a real helpwhen looking for the local school, where the nearest shops are or even to findout the local bus route!
Be flexible
Try to be flexible about the areas and type of property you want − it could increase your chances of success. Be realistic about the size ofproperty you need. Don't look for a property that is too small or too large for you in the hope of being transferred to a another property later on. The usual mutual exchange rules apply! A landlord may refuse consent if for example if it would lead to overcrowding or substantially underoccupying a property or you rent account isn't being maintained satisfactorily
On average members get 44 matches - most within 24 hours
· 81% of members are automatically found potential swaps within 24 hours of joining
· On average each swapper receives a total of 47 matches.
· Every day HomeSwapper automatically searches for potentialswaps and sends out alerts as often as twice a week to tenant members by email or text message
Register at www.homeswapper.co.uk 
