Home >> Find a home >> Mutual exchanges >> What happens next

Mutual exchanges

This page explains what happens next in the exchange process.

What happens when I send the form(s) back?

Your housing patch manager will contact you to arrange a home visit within ten days of us receiving the form. They will inspect the property, garden and any outbuildings or garage. After the visit they will tell you if we have approved the exchange or not.

What are the reasons for refusing an exchange?

On legal grounds your landlord can say no to your request for a limited number of reasons:

• If any tenant has had a Notice Seeking Possession served on them or legal possession proceedings have begun
• If either tenant has been served with a Possession Order or a Postponed Possession Order
• If either tenant is moving to a home that is not appropriate to their needs, for example if the property is too large or too small. Approval will usually be given if the home you want to move to has one bedroom more than you need and is the same type of accommodation you are living in
• If the accommodation is not reasonably suitable to the needs of the proposed tenant and their household. An example is if the property was specifically adapted for you and your exchange partner does not need these adaptations
• The property is a service tenancy
• The landlord is a charity where certain specific occupation conditions may be imposed
• The accommodation is provided by a housing association/trust to meet special needs and the incoming person(s) has no such needs
• The property is one of a group let to person(s) with special facilities, for example sheltered housing etc.

We may also put a condition on the exchange being approved, such as if any arrears need to be cleared before you move, or a repair needs to be done.

When will I know if my application has been approved?

By law you have to be told within 42 days of your application being submitted. You will get a letter during this time telling you of the outcome and have the right to refer the decision to the County Court if you do not agree.

What happens when the exchange is approved?

We will tell you in writing and an appointment will be made for you and your exchange partner(s) to visit the housing office to sign a Deed of Assignment.

This will transfer your tenancy to the new person. As you will move to another landlord, you will also have to sign a deed to transfer their tenancy to you. All parties will then need to make arrangements to move home.