Exchanges
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
If you rent your home from the council or a housing association, you may be able to swap homes with another council or housing association tenant living anywhere else in the UK.
What if I need to move immediately?
Exchanges take time. So, if you need to move immediately (for example because of domestic abuse, or because conditions are so bad in your current home that it is no longer reasonable for you to stay there) your best option may be to make a homelessness application rather than apply for an exchange.
Local council’s have a duty to rehouse people immediately in certain circumstances. You don't have to be sleeping on the streets to be legally classed as homeless.
Use our online assessment tool to work out whether the council has to house you. If they refuse to help you, or you need help for any other reason, call Shelter’s helpline on 0808 800 4444.
Do not move out of your current home without getting advice first. If you do so, the council may decide that you are intentionally homeless, and therefore only entitled to short-term help.
Use our advice services directory to find an adviser in your area.
Who can get an exchange?
You can apply for an exchange if:
- you live in permanent, self-contained accommodation (eg a flat or a house)
- both you and the tenant you wish to exchange with rent your homes from the council or a housing association and have a secure or assured tenancy
- you have permission to make the exchange from both your landlord, and the landlord of the home you want to move to.
You can't normally get an exchange if:
- you rent a bedsit or hostel room from the council
- you have a starter tenancy, an introductory tenancy, a demoted tenancy or an assured shorthold tenancy.
- you are a shared ownership leaseholder
- you live in supported accommodation.
If you are in one of these situations and you need to move, contact a local advice centre to discuss your options. Use our directory to find one.
How do I arrange an exchange?
First of all, contact your landlord and check that you will be able to exchange your home. This is very important, as you may be evicted if you try to swap your home without permission. You can also ask whether they operate their own mutual exchange scheme – many councils do.
Next, you'll need to register online with nationwide exchange websites such as Homeswapper. There are also several other websites that can help you find a suitable exchange, although you may need to pay a small fee. For example, you could try Council Exchange or House Exchange.
When you register, you'll need to fill in details about your current home, and about the kind of home you're looking for and where you want it to be. You can select up to nine different areas. In order to find a suitable exchange, you will need to be fairly flexible about the kind of property you want to move to and the area you want to live in.
Once you have registered, you can put information about your home up on the website, including photos, and look at details of other homes. Homeswapper will send you details of properties that match your requirements, and will keep you updated with information on people who want to move into your area, so you can see if their homes are suitable for you.
Will I have to pay?
You'll need to pay a small fee to register with Homeswapper and most other exchange websites. However, there is no fee for the exchange itself. In fact, it is illegal for any money to change hands between the two tenants as part of the exchange.
What happens once I've found a suitable exchange?
Once you've found a suitable property, it's up to you to get in touch with the current tenant and arrange a time when you can view their home and they can view yours. You'll also need to discuss with them whether or not you want to make the exchange. Whatever you do, neither of you must offer the other any financial incentives to make the swap. This is illegal and could result in your both being evicted.
What should I consider before making the exchange?
Once you've found a suitable property, you'll need to check the following things before you finalise the exchange.
What kind of tenancy will I have?
The type of tenancy you have can affect:
- how easily you can be evicted
- whether or not you have the right to buy your home.
If the person you exchange with has a different type of tenancy, you need to think about and check how your rights would be affected:
- Look at our information on different types of council tenancies and housing association tenancies.
- If the other property is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, tenancy types are different. More information is available from Shelter Scotland or Housing Advice Northern Ireland.
- Visit a local advice centre (use our directory to find one) or call our helpline.
What are the terms of my new tenancy agreement?
Even if you don’t change landlord, the terms of your new tenancy agreement may not be the same as your old tenancy agreement. For example, check:
- how much rent you will have to pay
- whether there are any other special conditions, such as a 'no pets' rule.
Are there any repairs that need doing?
If so, make sure that the landlord will carry them out. Arrange for them to be done before the move if possible.
Would I be able to buy the property?
Check whether you have the right to buy the new home. If you have the right to buy or the right to acquire already, you could end up losing these rights, or losing out on the discount.
How much does it cost to live there?
Ask the current tenant how much their bills are for electricity, gas, council tax, etc. If you are moving to a larger home, they will probably be higher than you are used to.
Does the current tenant have any rent arrears?
Be careful that you don't agree to pay any rent arrears built up by the current tenant. Check with their landlord if you're not sure. In many cases landlords will not allow an exchange to go ahead until arrears have been cleared.
Has the current tenant carried out any building work?
If the current tenant has made any improvements or alterations to the property (for example, fitting a new kitchen or bathroom) check that they had written permission from their landlord, and planning permission if necessary. If not, this could cause problems for you when the landlord finds out.
What fixtures and fittings will be staying?
Make sure you and the other tenant are both clear about which fixtures and fittings belong to the property and which belong to you. This could include carpets, curtains and blinds, light fittings and white goods (fridge, freezer, washing machine, etc).
Will my benefits be affected?
If you are claiming housing benefit, the amount you receive may change when you move to a different property. You can find out the maximum amount you'll be able to receive for your new home by filling in a 'pre-tenancy determination' form, which you can get from the council's housing department. It is important to remember that you may receive less than this amount depending on how much you earn, whether you have any savings, and who lives with you.
Do I need my landlord's permission to exchange?
Yes! Before you make the exchange, you must get written permission from your landlord and the landlord of the home you want to move into (unless both homes have the same landlord). If you don't do this, you could risk losing your home altogether.
When can a landlord refuse permission for the exchange?
Both landlords have to approve the exchange unless there are reasonable grounds for refusing. These might include the following:
- Your landlord has started eviction proceedings.
- You work for your landlord and your home was provided in connection with your job.
- Your home is adapted for a person with special needs and nobody in the new tenant's household has special needs.
- The home you want to move to is much larger than your household needs.
- The home you want to move to is too small for your household, and you would be overcrowded.
Your landlord has a month to decide whether or not to give you permission. If you haven't heard from them by the end of the month, you can assume they have given permission.
If your landlord turns down your request but doesn't have a good reason, get advice. An adviser may be able to negotiate with your landlord so the exchange can go through. Use our directory to find your local advice centre.
What happens next?
Next you'll need to complete the exchange form – this is a formal legal document, often called a ‘deed of assignment’ – which you can get from your landlord or housing officer. They will inspect your home to check whether any repairs need to be done, and should carry out any repairs they are responsible for. You can then sign the paperwork and arrange a convenient moving date with the other tenant.
What if the other tenant pulls out?
If the other tenant changes their mind before the exchange process is completed, you will not be able to take them to court over the matter. Try not to spend any money on moving before the exchange is finalised, as this will be lost if the exchange does not go through.
