Tenancy Changes

By joining www.homeswapper.co.uk, looking on social media or by talking to other people.

https://www.homeswapper.me/getting-started/ has some information on registering with homeswapper and how to create an advert.

Log onto homeswapper and complete the application. You can complete the application by clicking on the ‘via the swap’ button.

Someone who has a secure or assured tenancy with a Local Authority or Housing Association. If you have an introductory standard contract you are unable to exchange.

No, you can exchange anywhere in the UK.

A property that meets the needs of your family profile and will not cause under occupancy or overcrowding.

There are a number of things you should do before you apply for an exchange.

Your tenancy/property:

• Have a clear rent account with no arrears outstanding.
• Any outstanding repairs on your home have been carried out.
• Your home and garden are in good condition and both clean and tidy.
• You put right any work you have carried out without the permission of your landlord, for example decking, ponds and sheds.
• Exchange property/tenancy
• Make sure you view the property to ensure it is right for you.
• Check the local area and services, as well as transport links.
• Check the terms of the occupancy agreement, as these may be different to yours.
• Check the condition of the property as you may be responsible for any changes made by the previous tenant.

Yes, you should ensure the property type, size, location and its condition are suitable. Discuss any concerns you have with the person you are looking to exchange with and ensure that both parties understand any agreements that are made.

Once you have registered on Homeswapper a Neighbourhood Officer will contact you to arrange a tenancy health check to support you with the moving process, and ensure that you are move ready by the time you find a swap.

Yes, to ensure the safety of our tenants an electrician/gas engineer will need to inspect and certify the property.

When you complete a mutual exchange, you are agreeing to accept the property in the condition it’s in at the time of the exchange and are therefore responsible for any non-standard repairs, decoration, any alterations that have been made by the previous tenant and any damage that has not been caused by ordinary wear and tear. Some examples of things that you would be responsible for are:

• Cracked or broken glass
•  Cracked washbasins
• Broken or lost keys
• Kitchen cupboards installed by previous tenant
• Damaged fixtures or fittings not due to ordinary wear and tear

Some examples of fixtures and fittings are doors and handles, light fittings, cupboard doors, worktops, skirting board, sockets, fires.

Some damage may need to be repaired by our repairs team for safety reasons, the cost of this will be recharged to you.

If you are unsure of any issues that you have identified within the property you are looking to exchange with, please contact your Maintenance Officer for guidance.

We are required to make a decision within 30 days.

Yes, for the following reasons;

• A landlord has started eviction proceedings.
• If there are outstanding rent and/or other charges e.g. recharges or court costs, these need to be settled before a move.
• The property is adapted for a person with a disability and nobody in the new household requires the adaptation.
• The property is larger than the household needs.
• The property is too small for the household, and would be overcrowded.
• If any member of the household has behaved in an anti-social way, and action including possession proceedings, injunctions, anti-social behaviour orders or a demotion orders against them are in place or are being sought.

If you think this decision is wrong or you would like to talk about it, you can speak with your neighbourhood officer.

If you are still unhappy, you can follow our appeals procedure.

Yes, if your mutual exchange request has been refused you will have received a refusal email/letter which explain why it has been refused. Depending on the refusal reason you may be able to request a new mutual exchange. For example if the property you were going to be exchanging with was too small you may be able to exchange with one with more bedrooms.

Your Neighbourhood Officer will contact you to arrange an inspection of your property with a maintenance surveyor. They will let you know if you need to carry out any work on the property before the exchange can go ahead. Your Neighbourhood Officer will also answer any questions you have about the exchange.

No, before you can move you must sign the ‘RHW10.’

If you move before this, both tenants may be putting their homes at risk.

Either tenant can change their mind and pull out of the exchange at any point, until the point that you sign. After that, you would not be able to change your mind.

No, absolutely not. This is illegal and may lead to you both losing your homes. You should make your Neighbourhood Officer aware if this happens.

Yes, you can exchange again, and there is no time limit on this.

If you have any other questions, please speak to your Neighbourhood Officer, or seek independent advice from Citizen’s Advice or Shelter.