Doncaster

Mutual Exchange

  

A mutual exchange is when two or more secure and housing association tenants, in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, who occupy permanent self-contained accommodation, have a legal right to exchange their tenancies under section 92 of the Housing Act 1985.  Each tenant must move into their exchange partners property.  A tenant cannot exchange into an empty property.

You can exchange with;

• another St. Leger Homes tenant;
• a tenant of a housing association;
• a tenant of another council.

A mutual exchange ends your tenancy and a new tenancy is created for you.  You must not exchange your property without our permission

You can apply to exchange by completing the on line application form or completing a printed a downloadable form.  Once Registered you will be able to input your own exchange details on to the Doncaster HomeChoice website.

If you are not registered with Doncaster HomeChoice you can advertise your property by completing a paper mutual exchange advert form then we will input your mutual exchange advert on the HomeChoice website. We have an on-line search facility to help you find an exchange but you must ensure you put your contact details onto your advert. You will then need to contact the applicant you wish to exchange with direct.  Once you have decided who you will like to exchange with, you can then contact us and the area housing office will arrange to send the relevant forms you need to complete to apply for permission to do a mutual exchange.

To improve the chance of finding someone to swap with, it helps to give the following information;

• The type of home you live in (such as a house or flat);
• Which area, or street, the home is in;
• Any special features that might make the property attractive to other tenants (such as a new kitchen, garage, big garden);
• What type of home is wanted, and the number of bedrooms needed;
• The area(s) that would be considered;
• Anything else that is important to the household.

Once you have found someone to exchange with, your area housing officer will visit you to inspect any alterations you have made and will make sure that your property is in good condition.  We will also check your rent account.  If you have any 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 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 should meet before the may be allowed to go ahead include the following;

• Rent arrears;
• Causing a nuisance or anti social behaviour;
• You must have let us make a gas and electricity safety check within the last 12 months;
• You must not have made any alterations without permission.

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

• there is a court order against you on any grounds, including rent arrears;
• there is a current notice seeking possession in force;
• your proposed new property is too big for your needs by more than one bedroom;
• your proposed new property is too small for your needs resulting in statutory overcrowding;
• the property is specifically designed or adapted for the elderly and/or disabled and you do not qualify for such housing;
• you may not be eligible for this property under the current housing policy;
• your current tenancy is demoted or introductory.