Macca P.
2/5
6 years of frustration using this social housing exchange site but still unable to secure a move because far too many tenants using this site are unaware of laws on mutual exchanges and tenants rights, which are quite complex plus there are variables depending on the types of tenancy, the number of people who live in the property, etc. so Iāve tried to summarise a few points that are probably restricting yours and others ability to secure a mutual exchange.
Firstly, once you are registered and signed in to houseexchange.org.uk, click on the hamburger button (3 horizontal lines) in the top right corner. In the drop down menu, select Advice, then select Mutual Exchange, then Mutual Exchange again, then āCan I Mutual Exchange?ā
This is where you will find more information about your eligibility to move and whether the home you want actually meets your needs. Thereās other useful sections to read as well, such as, āFind A Home Swapā; āYouāve Found A Home Swap - What Happens Next?ā etc.
Thereās also Videos and Navigation guides, Housing Options, Money Advice and many more.
OCCUPANCY
I bet youād like to move to a 4, 5 or 6 bedroom house? Well, if that means youāll have more than one spare room in your new home, your move will be declined. This is because councils and housing associations have to comply with housing regulations to reduce homelessness but also to ensure properties are not under occupied. Most councils and housing associations have signed up to 5-10 year Homelessness Reduction Strategies and, as a result, tenants must meet the occupancy requirements. Overcrowding also applies if a home is over-occupied, but again, itās often a bit more complex and not always as straightforward as it seems (childrenās ages could be a factor), so please speak to your landlord (housing officer) in the first instance.
ADDITIONAL RENT CHARGE for UNDER-OCCUPANCY
I acknowledge the odd council and housing association does allow under occupancy but only by a maximum of one additional bedroomā¦ so *please be aware* this will increase your weekly rent charge by approx. 14% for the privilege of under occupying. It is therefore the reason most landlords do not allow under occupancy. I would encourage you to speak to your landlord (housing officer) to understand what your entitlement is, mainly because you donāt then waste your time (or others) searching for properties youāre never entitled to (which is a main issue I have encountered over the years!).
LOCAL CONNECTIONS
More and more landlords and local authorities have introduced ālocal connectionā restrictions. In summary, this means that if you donāt meet any of the following criteria for the area you want to move to, itās unlikely your exchange will be approved:
1) you already live in the local area
2) your family members live in the local area
3) your main employment is in the local area.
Please check with your landlord (housing officer) or local council to see if:
a) your property has local connection restrictions, or
b) the property you want to move to has local connection restrictions.
My personal opinion is that local connection restrictions should be relaxed for social housing tenants. I understand the restrictions are there to try and keep families together in communities, but this is a rarity nowadays. Restricting peopleās ability to move can have a huge negative impact on someoneās overall health and wellbeing, or ability to obtain employment, etc. and in my opinion, that seems very unfair, unjust and abhorrent.
Finally, DO NOT PAY!
You DO NOT and SHOULD NOT have to pay to use this siteā¦ HouseExchange.org.uk. Itās free to register to use and your landlord will receive your registration and authorise it. If youāre paying, Iād immediately speak to your landlord and ask why!
Please also check out the Forum about this site on the Money Saving Expert website.
