Mutual exchange

What is mutual exchange?

A mutual exchange is when you swap your home with another council or housing association tenant, often to move to a larger or smaller home or to a different area. When you mutually exchange, you are swapping your tenancy with someone and taking on all conditions of their existing tenancy. The exchange of properties can be by two or more customers and can take place between customers of the same or different landlords.

Please take a look at our Mutual Exchange Policy which outlines our responsibilities and our customers obligation during the mutual exchange process.

See our mutual exchange policy

Who can exchange?

Only Secure and Assured tenancy holders have the right to exchange, and you’ll find whether this right applies to you in your tenancy agreement with Moat. There are some reasons why we may not give permission for the exchange, so before completing the application form, you should ask yourself the following questions:

Are there any rent arrears?
Is the property you wish to move into the correct size for your current household? In some cases, we may allow one additional bedroom if this helps to maintain your tenancy.
Does your current property have any adaptations, or is it part of a retirement or supported housing scheme?
Is there a current court order for possession?
Have any alterations or improvements been carried out to your property and, if so, do you have the correct permissions in place?
Do you have a starter tenancy? If so, you need to wait until it becomes Assured.

If you are unsure about the type of tenancy you hold, please get in contact with us on 0300 323 0011.

How do I find a mutual exchange?

The easiest way to find a suitable home to swap with is to sign up on House Exchange, the UK's leading not-for-profit mutual exchange service. The service has thousands of properties available across the UK, and as we are a partner, you are able to register, advertise your property and find a swap free of charge. To find out more, visit their website www.houseexchange.org.uk.

You can also register with another large mutual exchange provider HomeSwapper - www.homeswapper.co.uk

What happens once I've found an exchange?

When you have found someone to exchange with, all parties need to complete a mutual exchange application form. You can get the form by emailing us at [email protected] , calling 0300 323 0011, or downloading it here.

Please send your completed mutual exchange application form to:
Address: Moat, Mariner House, Galleon Blvd, Crossways, Dartford DA2 6QE
Email: [email protected]

If you're in an Ashford PFI home, please contact us for a separate form.

Making a decision

Once we receive your form, we will schedule appointments with you to inspect your home and carry out gas and electricity tests. We will give you a final decision within 42 days (6 weeks) of receiving your completed application. Most exchanges take between 6-10 weeks to complete.

We also have to carry out a number of checks, including references for you and the person you wish to exchange with.

What should I check before exchanging?

As part of mutual exchanges, each tenant must accept the home in its current condition. It is your responsibility to check the home you want to move to thoroughly, considering things like:

Outstanding repairs and anything you will be expected to maintain or repair.
The tenancy type and tenancy conditions that you will be taking over, along with the new rent or other service charges you will be responsible for paying. There may be differences to your existing tenancy, such as a ‘no pets’ rule.
Whether it’s a lifelong or fixed-term tenancy (which is offered by some other housing providers). It is important that you find out how long the fixed period will be and check whether this arrangement is suitable for your household.

You should not make any plans to move until you have received written permission from both landlords.

Top tips for a successful exchange

Include recent photos and as many details as possible in your advert.
Be ready to answer any questions your potential exchange partner may have and feel free to ask questions you may have about their home and neighbourhood.
To avoid delays, make sure your rent account is not in arrears.
If there are any outstanding repairs that are required in your home, please report them to us.
Be patient as rushing your mutual exchange partner may cause them to back out. Likewise, you should never feel pressured and if you do, please get in touch with us.
Consider all the moving costs, such as costs for van hire, removals, and decorations. Do not book any removals until you have confirmed a date for your mutual exchange.
Carry out your own research on the area you are looking to move to, perhaps by visiting at different times of day or checking the transport network connections/local amenities. If you have any questions, doubts or concerns, please contact us for more information and advice.

Stay safe

Whether viewing someone else’s home or showing your own, we recommend that you take some basic precautions to ensure your safety:

Try to arrange the viewing during daylight.
Try to avoid viewing or showing your own home alone - have a friend or relative with you.
Tell someone when and where you’re going.
Have a mobile phone with you and make sure it is switched on and fully charged.

Please note that either party can cancel the exchange at any point before the assignment documents are signed. It is a criminal offence to pay or receive any payments to carry out a mutual exchange, and tenancy action could be taken if there is evidence to support that an offence has been committed.

If you have any questions, doubts or concerns, please contact us for more information and advice.