If you’re looking to move, mutual exchange is a great way to find a home that better suits your needs. We support moves that help you find a: 

• Larger home, because your family has grown 
• Smaller home, because you know longer need the extra bedrooms  
• Home closer to family or services you need 
• Home that suits your medical and physical needs  

We’re here to support you through the process. 

A mutual exchange is when two or more tenants agree to swap homes. You can exchange with: 

• Another ForHousing tenant 
• A tenant from another housing association or local authority (if their landlord agrees) 

We have partnered with HomeSwapper, so you can use their online home swap service to find a home for free. 

You can: 

• Create a profile for your current home 
• Search for other tenants looking to move 
• Message potential swap partners directly 
• Set up alerts for new matches 

If you need help registering or using HomeSwapper, we’re happy to support you. To find more information on how to get started visit their website.

Finding a home 

• Use HomeSwapper to find a home you would like to swap with  
• You can also join your local Facebook groups too, where tenants ask for swaps  
• Agree you would like to swap and start the application process 

Initial enquiry 

• Contact us to let us know you’re interested: [insert contact details] 
• We’ll explain the process and check your eligibility 
• Application forms 
• You’ll receive a form within 5 working days 
• Complete and return it to us 

Checks and inspections 

• We’ll check your rent account, tenancy status, and any anti-social behaviour reports 
• Gas, electric, and damp inspections will be arranged within 10 working days 
• Home condition 
• You must inspect the home you want to move into and sign a disclaimer accepting it “as seen” 
• Any unapproved alterations will be reviewed 

Decision 

• We’ll let you know the outcome within 42 days 
• If approved, we’ll arrange a date to sign the agreement 

Move in 

• Exchanges take effect on a Monday 
• You’ll be responsible for the new home’s condition from day one 

Finding a home 

• Use HomeSwapper to find a home you would like to swap with  
• You can also join your local Facebook groups too, where tenants ask for swaps  
• Agree you would like to swap and start the application process 

Initial enquiry 

• Contact us to let us know you’re interested: [insert contact details] 
• We’ll explain the process and check your eligibility 
• Application forms 
• You’ll receive a form within 5 working days 
• Complete and return it to us 

Checks and inspections 

• We’ll check your rent account, tenancy status, and any anti-social behaviour reports 
• Gas, electric, and damp inspections will be arranged within 10 working days 
• Home condition 
• You must inspect the home you want to move into and sign a disclaimer accepting it “as seen” 
• Any unapproved alterations will be reviewed 

Decision 

• We’ll let you know the outcome within 42 days 
• If approved, we’ll arrange a date to sign the agreement 

Move in 

• Exchanges take effect on a Monday 
• You’ll be responsible for the new home’s condition from day one 

Before you apply, check if you meet the following conditions: 

You can apply if: 

• You’re a ForHousing tenant with a secure or assured tenancy 
• Your rent account is clear (or you’ve made an agreement with us) 
• Your home is in a good condition 
• You’re not involved in any ongoing anti-social behaviour cases 
• You’re swapping with: 
• Another ForHousing tenant 
• A tenant from another housing association or local council (if their landlord agrees) 

You can’t apply if: 

• You’re a starter tenant (this is a trial tenancy that usually lasts 12 months. You’ll need to wait until it becomes a full tenancy before applying) 
• You’re trying to swap with a private tenant 
• You’ve been evicted by ForHousing in the past 
• Your home has more bedrooms than the other household needs 
• Your home has special adaptations (like for mobility needs) that the new tenant doesn’t require 
• You live in supported or sheltered housing and the new tenant doesn’t need that type of home 

ForHousing will: 

• Provide clear information and support throughout the process 
• Help you register with HomeSwapper if needed 
• Carry out necessary landlord repairs before the move 
• Ensure safety checks (gas, electric) are completed 
• Approve or refuse applications based on legal and policy grounds 

We ask that you: 

• Find your own exchange partner (using HomeSwapper is a great place to start) 
• Have a clear rent account (unless agreed otherwise) 
• Check and accept the new home in its current condition 
• Be honest about any alterations made to your current home 
• Sign all required documents 

Need help?

We can help you register with Homeswapper and guide you through the mutual exchange process, please get in touch by contacting the Customer Connect Hub by clicking here.