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Mutual exchanges

Carrying out an exchange is one of the ways you can find a home.

Demand for council homes in Nottingham is very high. A mutual exchange is a good way to find a move instead of waiting for what could be a long time for a move to an empty home.

Who can do an exchange?

Any tenant of Nottingham City Homes, another council or housing association. Permission from all landlords is needed before a move can take place. All parties in the exchange have to be secure tenants unless they are housing association tenants who may either be secure tenants or assured tenants. Introductory tenants cannot exchange.

Assured shorthold tenants have different rights from secure or introductory council tenants. You need to know what type of tenancy you have before you apply for an exchange.

How do I find someone to exchange with?

Visit the Nottingham Homelink website where you can search for properties to exchange with. You can register with our own mutual exchange scheme, or use the national Homeswapper system. Homeswapper allows you to exchange with tenants all over the country, not just in Nottingham.

You have to be a Nottingham City Council tenant to register which you can do on this website or by contacting your area housing office. You can also look at the noticeboards in our housing offices or in your local shop or newspaper.

How long do my details stay on the database?

For three months from the date you register. After that date you will have to register again.

Where do I get a form from?

You and your exchange partner(s) need to get written permission from your landlord(s). Get one from your area housing office. You can also hand your form(s) in there. All parties need to fill in the form with details of the person they want to exchange with.

What do I have to check?

• that the condition of the property you want to exchange to is satisfactory. We will not do any re-decorating if it is bad, only normal repairs
• what repairs you need to do or if the current tenant will do them
• the amount of rent
• the type of tenancy (assured tenants can't buy their home)
• that you are aware of the tenancy conditions
• why the other person wants to move

For more information

Read our leaflet on mutual exchanges

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