We understand that, for a variety of reasons, you may need to move to another home. Reasons may include:
Overcrowding:
Your family may have grown meaning you need more space.
Under occupation:
Your children may have moved into homes of their own and you may want to downsize.
Medical reasons:
You may have developed a condition which means you need a home that is all on one level, has a wet room or has staff on site to assist you.
We want to give you support and signpost you to the different ways you can move home. This includes:
A mutual exchange is where you agree to swap your home with another social housing tenant. This does not have to be someone who has the same landlord, you can swap homes with any other council tenant or housing association tenant that lives anywhere in the UK. There is a list of criteria that you must meet, and both landlords must agree to the swap taking place. More information can be found on HomeSwapper.
Below is a series of frequently asked questions about mutual exchange and the website HomeSwapper:
You can swap your home with any other social housing tenant, it doesn’t need to be a ForHousing home. As long as you’re not in rent arrears and don’t have any anti-social behaviour/other tenancy breaches.
No, you can swap homes with any other council or housing association tenant that lives anywhere in the UK, so your swap doesn’t have to be in the area managed by the landlord you have now. All social housing landlords will support eligible tenants to swap homes.
We have partnered with HomeSwapper to support you to find a mutual exchange and swap your home. You can register by clicking here.
If you need help with this, you can contact us by calling 0300 123 5522 or speak to us on live chat on the right hand corner of the website.
You will be asked some questions about the home you live in now, and the home you want. This creates an advert for your home, and also lets you see homes you might like.
In ‘The home you’ve got’ section on the HomeSwapper website, you will need to fill in as many details as possible so other swappers can see what they could swap to. It is also a great idea to add some photographs as this will increase your chances of finding a swap.
In ‘The home you want’ section, enter what sort of home you are looking for to help HomeSwapper suggest homes you might like.
You can change any of these details at any time. How to guides are available on the HomeSwapper site here.
No, we partner with them so that you can use the service for free.
Once you have registered, we will be asked to approve your application. Once this has been done, your advert will be live and other swappers will be able to see it.
No. You can refuse to swap if the home doesn’t meet your needs.
You can have a look at their how to guide which you may find helpful by clicking here. They also have videos on YouTube with information that could help, click here to view.
HomeSwapper also post helpful information on their Facebook account at HomeSwapperOfficial.
We’re also here to support you. If you need to speak to us, you can call or speak to us on live chat on the right hand corner of the website.
The HomeSwapper Welcome Guide, has lots of useful information. To download a copy click here.
You can be refused a swap if:
- You are in rent arrears
- If you have a legal order or a Notice of Seeking Possession that has been served for anti-social behaviour.
- If the home you wish to swap with does not meet your housing needs. For example, there are more or less bedrooms than you require, if it is adapted and you do not need this, or your home is adapted for you and the home you want to swap with isn’t
- Your home or the home you wish to move into is part of scheme designed for tenants with additional needs and you or a household member does not meet the criteria required for the scheme
On some occasions whilst you may meet the conditions for the swap to be approved, the other person you wish to exchange with may not. If this happens, we will not be able to share the reason(s) with you during privacy reasons.
After you have submitted your application, gas and electric safety checks will need to be carried out for the homes that are swapping. You must male sure if that all repairs are needed to your home you report this to us so we can fix it.
You will also need to tell us that you are happy with the condition of the home you intend to swap with and that you are willing to accept it in its current condition.
We will carry out all repairs that are our responsibility however, you may be required to accept the responsibility of all repairs, improvements and maintenance that fall outside of this. This includes but is not limited to:
- The cosmetic condition of the home for example the cleanliness and decorative way it looks
- The gardens including any items left by the former tenant
- Any items left within the loft space
- Internal doors except for the kitchen door
- Any nonstandard improvements for example a kitchen, bathroom or shower fitted by the former tenant
- Fireplaces installed by the former tenant or previously gifted to the tenant by us
It is really important that carry out a thorough viewing of the home you wish to exchange with. Before the swap takes place, you will be asked to sign a disclaimer to confirm that you accept the home in its current condition.
Please ask us if you have any queries regarding repairs in both your home or the home you wish to exchange with including being provided with a list of repairs you will be responsible for.
Choice Based Lettings (CBL) schemes allow you to search for, apply for and bid for social rented homes in your area where you have been assessed by the Local Authority to have a housing need. Most housing associations in an area advertise their empty properties through the local CBL scheme so you only have to apply once. Each area has their own scheme. For support in:
- Knowsley, visit propertypoolplus.org.uk
- Oldham, visit oldham.gov.uk/info/200255/find_a_home
- Fylde, visit myhomechoicefyldecoast.co.uk/
- Salford, visit salfordhomesearch.co.uk/choice/
We consider internal transfers to be required only in exceptional circumstances, due to significant issues at your home, and where there is no other solution.
If you are approved for an internal transfer, you will not have to be registered on the local CBL (Choice Based Letting) system or make bids though we may still advise you to do this as well.
Approval will be based on individual circumstances; however, the following are some situations where an internal transfer may be approved:
- Discharge from hospital where the existing home is unsuitable
- An urgent need for a supported or adapted home
- A serious fire causing significant structural damage
If you feel you may qualify for an internal transfer, you should discuss this with your Neighbourhood Officer. They will be able to tell you whether you may qualify.
As we do not hold empty homes, even if you are approved for an internal transfer, it may be up to 12 months before a different home can be offered.
If you feel you need rehousing quickly or need to access emergency accommodation, for example where there is an immediate threat that puts you or your home at risk we would always advise that you contact your local council’s housing options team for support and assessment.
Where an internal transfer is approved, one offer of a suitable alternative home will be made, which will be based upon the information that you provide to us. So, it is important that you make sure that the information we have about your circumstances and needs is up to date.
