Mutual exchange and other housing options
In this section:
Swapping homes with another tenant (mutual exchange)
What is a mutual exchange?
A mutual exchange is when you swap your home permanently with another tenant. You cannot swap your home for one which is empty.
Who can apply for a mutual exchange?
Anyone with a secure tenancy can apply to exchange his or her home. Introductory tenants do not have the right to exchange their home.
You can exchange your home with any other secure council tenant and most housing association tenants with assured tenancies. Make sure you know the type of tenancy you will be taking on, as there are differences between a council tenancy and a housing association tenancy.
How do I apply for a mutual exchange?
We have joined forces with Gateshead Housing Company; North Tyneside Homes; Your Homes Newcastle and Gentoo Sunderland, to create a web based mutual exchange service called Homexchange Tyne and Wear
Homexchange gives you the chance to advertise your home and view homes available from applicants registered from the 5 housing organisations.
Register your application on line at the Homexchange Tyne and Wear website and, once your local housing office has validated your application, you will be contacted by your preferred method of contact to tell you that your application is live. You can then contact your potential exchange partners via the website.
If you find an exchange partner by a method other than the Homexchange website, you should contact your local area housing office for guidance.
In some cases, we may set certain conditions before giving permission for the exchange. These may include:
- Clearing your rent account if you are in arrears
- Repairing any damage you may have caused to your home
- Not allowing exchanges where the home will be too large or too small for the proposed tenant
- Not allowing exchanges where the home has been adapted and the proposed tenant does not require an adapted home
Do not carry out any exchange until you have received permission from your area office and all the relevant paperwork has been signed.
Moving further afield
There are a number of organisations you can register with to mutually exchange your home with other council or housing association tenants across the country.
These include:
How can I register for a mutual exchange further afield?
You can register via the relevant websites. Once registered, your details will be displayed in housing offices within the areas you have selected and/or online depending on the mutual exchange scheme.
You can view details of people wanting to move to your area on the different mutual exchange websites.
Private landlords
If you are looking to rent a home in the private sector, you will usually need to check letting agencies, estate agents or the local newspaper. Letting agencies and estate agents often charge a fee for finding you a home, usually about two weeks rent. You may also have to pay a deposit of one months rent.
Private sector rents are usually much higher but you may be entitled to help through housing benefit if you are not working or are on a low income.
Private tenants have fewer rights and less security than council tenants so make sure that you are making the right decision before you give up your tenancy. The Citizens Advice Bureau can offer you advice.
