I have found a home swap

Viewings

Once you have found a home swap you should arrange to view each others properties. Make sure that you really make the most of this home swap opportunity by making your home as attractive and appealing as possible. Tidy up, clear clutter - or sell in via free classified advertising on Viva Street, preloved.co.uk or Ebay .

Application for a mutual exchange

You and the tenant you will be swapping homes with must both get application forms from your landlord, council or housing association. If you have a different landlord to the tenant you are swapping homes with you need mutual exchange application forms from both landlords, so will the other tenant.

• Fill in the mutual exchange application forms either hand it into your landlord or send it by registered post as this will give you proof of delivery.
• The landlords then have 42 days from the date they receive your mutual exchange application to either approve or refuse the mutual exchange. If they refuse your home swap they must give you clear reasons as to why your home swap was not permitted.

Inspection

Your landlord will want to inspect your property and will arrange a date with you to do this. They will agree with you anything that needs to be repaired before you move. They may also have gas and electric safety checks carried out. This is usually carried out by a contractor they appoint who will contact you to arrange a convenient time.

Mutual Exchange approved

You and the person you are home swapping with, need to sign the deed of assignment on and agree a home swap moving date, your landlord will guide you through this process. You will then home swap and move into your new property on the agreed date.

Do be aware that the other party could pull out of the home swap, even on the moving day. Under the 1985 Housing act, the mutual exchange is not deemed to have taken place until all parties have taken possession of their new homes. This only happens very rarely as most people do genuinely want to home swap, however it is something to be aware of.

Mutual exchange refused

Your landlord will inform you in writing why the home swap has been turned down.

There are only a few reasons /  grounds for refusing a mutual exchange on certain grounds, and they must give you clear reasons as to why the mutual exchange has been refused. Check the reason given for refusal carefully, they might have made a mistake and it could be worthwhile appealing the decision. Your Housing Officer may be able to help you; it could be something simple like making a few repairs in order for them to approve the mutual exchange so your home swap can go ahead.