Mutual exchange
Tenants can mutually exchange homes with other tenants. The exchange could be with a tenant from SBHA, another housing association or a council.
The exchange is undertaken with both parties accepting the other’s tenancy terms and conditions. This means that secure tenants could become assured tenants by exchanging. The only exception to this is succession rights with any existing successions counting against the household that has already succeeded.
In regard to the rent, assured tenants will take on the rent of the tenant they are exchanging with and secure tenants will take on the most recent registered rent set on the property they are moving into.
Prior to a mutual exchange the tenant will be visited by a surveyor and a neighbourhood officer to check the property is in order. Any damages or repairs must be rectified before the mutual exchange will be agreed.
How to find a tenant to exchange with?
There are a number of ways that tenants can find other tenants to exchange with. These range from advertising your home in a newsagent’s window, registering with a local authority scheme, registering with Locata or paying to register on Homeswapper.
Homeswapper is a national operating system that matches tenants who want to move to different parts of the country and Greater London. You will need to register online at www.homeswapper.co.uk. As of October 2009 registering on Homeswapper is free of charge for SBHA tenants. Please click here for further information.
If tenants are interested in advertising on Locata, SBHA will complete a registration form on their behalf at the Locata transfer surgery.
What to do once you have found an exchange partner?
Once tenants have found an exchange partner both parties should complete the application forms.
Upon receipt of the forms SBHA will write to the other landlord involved and request a reference.
Both landlords have 42 days to agree or refuse an exchange. If this deadline is not met, tenants have the right to exchange without the landlord's permission.
For more information
Neighbourhood Team
Tel: 020 8996 4222
Email: group.info@sbhg.co.uk |