Mutual exchange
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The term mutual exchange describes the ability of two (or more)
tenants A leasehold estate is an ownership of a temporary right to hold land or property in which a lessee or a tenant holds rights of real property by some form of title from a lessor or landlord. Although a tenant does hold rights to real property, a ...
in the
public housing Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is usually owned by a government authority, either central or local. Although the common goal of public housing is to provide affordable housing, the details, terminology, def ...
sector to move house by swapping their homes. Mutual exchange is possible in some countries, such as the UK and Sweden. Other terms used for this are "home swap" or "homeswap".


Mutual exchange process

To move home, both tenants must have permission of their landlords. Landlords will normally only grant an exchange if a number of criteria are met. These include: * Neither tenant owes rent * Neither tenant is moving to a home that the landlord thinks is too big or small for their circumstances * Both tenants are secure tenants (council tenants) or assured tenants (housing association) * Neither tenant is in the process of being evicted * In Sweden, both tenants must have valid reasons for the exchange, such as needing a larger home to accommodate a new-born child. Also, in order to curb the black market for rental homes, it is not allowed to request payment from the other tenant. A mutual exchange may involve more than two tenants. The largest reported swap in England has involved a group of 6 tenants swapping their homes between them. Precise details of the criteria used for home exchanges can be found by a tenant from a their Landlord, and some will identify free resources, such as websites, to help their tenants pair up to make a swap. (e.g.).


External links

Examples of Mutual Exchange services:
https://www.homeswapper.co.uk
https://www.swapandmove.co.uk
https://www.houseexchange.org.uk
https://www.gumtree.com/home-swap


References


Full explanation of the process on the DirectGov website

DirectGov service linking to information for particular councils
{{reflist Social programs Public housing in the United Kingdom