What Is A Mutual Exchange?
A mutual exchange is when two or more residents agree to “swap” homes on a permanent basis. If you are a resident of Three Valleys Housing or another
Housing Association or Council and you want to move to another property,we
recommend you try to find an exchange as this can give you a greater chance of moving.
Can Anyone Exchange Tenancies?
You can only exchange if you are an assured tenant of Three Valleys Housing or an assured or secure tenant of another Housing Association or Council. If you have a Starter Tenancy, you will not be able to apply for an exchange until it has been converted to an assured tenancy. You cannot exchange if you rent from a private landlord. If you are unsure about the type of tenancy you have, please contact us for help.
Please be aware that if you were a resident of Erewash Borough Council before the transfer to Three Valleys Housing took place you will have certain preserved tenancy rights.
If you then exchange with a resident from another housing association your
preserved rights will be affected. (If you wish to discuss the implications of how you will be affected you should contact us or a Housing Advice centre before you complete a mutual exchange).
Before you exchange, you must have your landlord’s permission in writing. If you move without getting permission first, you will have to move back to your original home or risk having legal action taken against you.
Are There Any Checks Made Before I Can Move?
If you want to exchange, your rent account must be paid up to date and there
must be no breaches of your conditions of tenancy. If you have been served with a Notice of Seeking Possession for any reason, or have a Court Order against you, the exchange may not be allowed to proceed.
We will also inspect your home to make sure there is no damage. If there is damage that is not due to fair wear and tear, you will not be able to move until it is repaired to a satisfactory standard. If there are repairs that are our responsibility, this will not normally hold up your exchange.
Additionally, there are a number of other conditions. You will not be allowed to exchange if:-
- The property would either be overcrowded or underoccupied, as defined by us
- The property is provided by the landlord as a condition of your employment
- Either landlord is a charity and the new tenants would not meet the aims of the charity
- The property has been adapted for someone with a disability and the proposed new resident is not disabled.
- The landlord is a Housing Association or Housing Trust which lets homes to people for whom it would be especially difficult to find a home otherwise, and the proposed new resident does not fall into this category.
- The property is part of a special needs facility, or is let by Social Services to people with special needs, and the proposed new resident does not have special needs.
If we have to refuse your exchange on any of these grounds,we will tell you
within 42 days of the date that you applied for the exchange.
What Do I Do Once I Have Found Someone To Exchange With?
When you have found a suitable swap, all parties must complete a mutual
exchange application form and a housing application form. This allows us to make the necessary checks so we know whether we can allow your exchange to go ahead.
We will check that your rent account is up to date and that the property you want to move to is suitable for your needs and the size of your family.We will also arrange for your property to be inspected.
When we are satisfied that everything is in order,we will write to all parties to
confirm that the exchange has been approved and the date it can go ahead.We will arrange for you to come to the office to sign a formal Deed of Assignment that will officially transfer the tenancies. All parties must come to the office at the same time to sign.
Once you have received our written permission to exchange, you will need to
arrange your own removals and inform the water, gas & electricity companies
that you are moving. We advise that you take the relevant meter readings when you leave. Also remember that you will need to inform housing benefits that you are moving if necessary.
For information about properties that are being offer for exchange, please visit the Available Exchanges page.
Revised 9 July 2008 (PC)