Mutual Exchange

Mutual Exchange Schemes are a way for council or housing association tenants to swap their properties to move to a more suitable home. You do not need to be registered on the transfer list or have any points to participate in these schemes.

HomeSwapper

HomeSwapper is an organisation that registers your interest in mutual exchange, and helps you to find an exchange partner for you to swap with anywhere in the United Kingdom. You do not have to be on the council’s transfer list and you are allowed to swap into a home that is one bedroom too large for your family’s needs, with the permission of your landlord.

Who Can Use It

Council or housing association tenants only. HomeSwapper is free to council tenants but some housing association tenants may have to pay a small fee to register, if their landlord is not part of the scheme.

How It Works

You must first register with HomeSwapper by logging on to their website. HomeSwapper will search for possible new swaps every day for you. It saves these matches and you can log on at anytime to see them. You can also arrange to be sent ‘match alerts’ by email or by text message to your mobile ‘phone.

For more information, click on the HomeSwapper link on the right, under Useful Websites.

When you find a tenant to swap with you can download the mutual exchange form that must be sent to your landlord. Click on the Home Swap link on the right under Related Information, to download a copy of the form. Copies are also available from your local area housing office, or by telephoning the Housing Options Team on 020 527 4140.

You can also view the HomeSwapper list at your area housing office. You must contact the person who is living in the property you want to move into, yourself to make viewing arrangements.

Smart Move

Smart Move is a scheme to help match overcrowded families with tenants who under occupy their home.

How It Works

We advertise the property details of tenants who wish to move to smaller homes on the Homeconnections advert each week. The advert is available to look at on line at by following the the link on the right, at your local area housing office or in the Islington Gazette.

If you are interested in the property advertised and your property matches the requirements advertised you can express your interest in the property to the mutual exchange officer on 020 7527 4140. We will then put all the parties in contact with each other to arrange for the properties to be viewed.

If You Are Disabled

When looking for a mutual exchange partner you must make sure that the property you are moving to is suitable for your needs. If you need help to apply to either scheme, please contact the Housing Options Team. Please tell us your access and communication needs so we can provide an appropriate service and communicate with you in your preferred format.

What Happens Next

Once you have found a mutual exchange partner, you will need to contact your landlord. The mutual exchange form you need to complete when you have found a tenant to swap with is available on the council’s website.

Click on the HomeSwapper link on the right under Related Information, to download a copy of the form. Copies are also available from your local area housing office, or by telephoning the Housing Options Team on 020 527 4140.

The landlord will check the rent account, the suitability of the property you are interested in, and carry out legal checks. If these checks are satisfactory, you can arrange to swap homes.

Further Information

For more information contact:

The Housing Options Team
Housing Aid Centre
38 Devonia Road
London
N1 8UY

Tel: 020 7527 4140
Fax: 020 7527 4136
Email: rehousing@islington.gov.uk