If you are a council, housing association or housing co-operative tenant you normally have the right to a mutual exchange. This means you can swap your home with another tenant provided your landlord agrees. The service was formerly known as HomeSwap
Councils and housing associations usually keep lists of tenants wishing to move, either within the area or to other areas. It is very important that you do not move until you have your landlord's approval in writing and you have signed the relevant assignment documents.
An exchange may be refused if one of the tenants is in rent arrears or under notice to leave. An exchange may also be refused if a property is too big or too small for the people intending to occupy it, or if one of the properties is designated for elderly or disabled persons. If your request is refused, you have the right to appeal against the decision.
With a mutual exchange, you will be asked to accept the property in the condition it has been left by the last tenant. The Council will carry out routine repairs in accordance with the tenancy agreement, but it will be your responsibility to repair any damage caused by the previous tenant.
Who is eligible
Council, housing association, and housing co-operative tenants usually have the right to exchange their property.
Lewisham may refuse a mutual exchange on any of the following grounds
- one of the parties is an introductory tenant
- there is a possession order against either tenant
- a notice of seeking possession served on grounds 1-6 is still in force against either tenant
- the incoming tenant(s) will be under-occupying the dwelling by more than one room
- the incoming tenant(s) will be overcrowded, or the property is otherwise unsuitable to their needs
- the dwelling is designed or adapted for disability and the incoming tenant has no disability
- the dwelling is a special needs unit and the incoming tenant has no special needs
- it is established that one party has paid money to the other party to induce the exchange
How to access the service
Lewisham Council tenants should register on the Lewisham home exchange site (external website).
What happens next
Once an application has been received and registered, the local authority has 42 days to make a decision. The tenant's landlord should let them know within this period if permission is granted or refused, and a letter will be sent to the tenant confirming the decision. Where both rent accounts are clear and there are no other breaches of tenancy conditions, an exchange can be approved quite quickly. However, if problems occur it may take the full period allowed.
Please contact your local housing office for further information.