PennineLancashire

Mutual Exchange

Mutual Exchange News Flash

All Tenants of B-with-us Partner Organisations can now register for a Mutual Exchange.

This is now on the Web site but will not be fully operational in all areas until 20th September 2010.

What is a mutual exchange?

A mutual exchange is when two, three, four or more tenants exchange (swap) their properties.  Each tenant must move into their exchange partner's property.  A tenant cannot exchange into an empty property.

You can exchange with:

• a tenant of a housing association; or
• a tenant of another council.

You must not exchange your property without our permission.

Will I need permission before a mutual exchange can take place?

Yes. You must write to your landlord (and any other landlord involved) to get permission to exchange. Your request will not be refused without good reason. If you do not get a response within 42 days you may assume that you have been given permission.

How can I apply for a mutual exchange?

To exchange, you should contact your landlord who will give the appropriate forms and information regarding mutual exchanges.

Who can I exchange with?

You may be able to swap your home with another of our tenants or with a tenant of another council anywhere in the country. You can also swap with a tenant of a housing association or other registered social landlord.

How do I find someone to swap with?

You can look on the on the B-with–us web site to view any properties that are available under the mutual exchange scheme.

What do a do if I have found someone to exchange with?

If you know who you would like to exchange with, you will both need to contact your landlord to complete the appropriate paperwork.

How quickly will we make our decision?

By law, we must make a decision within 42 days of receiving your request to mutually exchange with another tenant.

Are there any other conditions that I must meet?

Yes. Your Housing Officer will visit you to inspect any alterations you have made and to make sure that the property is in good condition.  We will also check your rent account.  If you have rent arrears (missed rent payments), you may not be able to move straight away.

If you want to exchange with the tenant of another council or a registered social landlord, we will have to provide a written reference for your tenancy to the other landlord.  The other council or registered social landlord will do the same for their tenant.

Other conditions that you must meet before the exchange can go ahead include the following:

• you must not owe any rent (unless you have been keeping to a repayment agreement for a set time);
• you must not have caused a nuisance or caused anti-social behaviour; and
• you must have let us to make a gas and electricity safety check within the last 12 months.

Why will my request be refused?

We will not unreasonably refuse an application for a mutual exchange.  However, we may refuse an application if:

• one of the homes would be overcrowded;
• we are taking legal action to repossess your home or the home you want to swap with;
• the exchange would mean that a home adapted for elderly or disabled people would have nobody living in it who needs the adaptation; or
• we have a possession order against you.

It is illegal to pay anyone to persuade them to exchange tenancies with you.  If you exchange without asking for permission, we may force you to move back.

What will happen if my request is refused?

If we refuse your application, we will write to you within 42 days of receiving your request.  We will explain to you why we have refused your request and will tell you how you can appeal against our decision.

What will happen if my request is accepted?

We will arrange a date for the exchange to take place which is suitable for everyone involved.  You will be asked to sign the appropriate paperwork needed for the exchange to take place.

Reviews and appeals

If you are refused a mutual exchange, you can ask for the housing needs review group to review the decision on your application by writing to your local housing office.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, you can complain using our complaints procedure.

For further information regarding mutual exchanges please contact your landlord.