Mutual exchanges

You must rent your current property under a secure, fixed-term or assured tenancy in order to be considered for a mutual exchange.

Common reasons for a mutual exchange to be refused include:

• one or both of the parties involved currently face legal action for breach of tenancy (including rent arrears)
• there are rent arrears on the account
• one or both properties has too many/too few bedrooms for the number of people wishing to exchange
• one or both properties has been specially adapted (eg for a tenant with a physical disability) and the new tenant wants the adaptations to be removed

You can register on a number of mutual exchange websites to find an exchange.

Popular exchange websites include:

• Homeswapper
• Social media sites e.g. Facebook
• Local newspapers
• Local shops and advertising boards

You have the responsibility of arranging to view properties you're interested in. You take a mutual exchange property in the condition you view it - the council cannot be responsible for alterations, repairs or decoration you consider necessary once properties have been exchanged.

Top tips to help in your search for a mutual exchange

• make sure you only consider properties suitable for the size of your household
• can you afford the rent of the properties you're looking at?
• if you have a pet, make sure you're allowed to take it with you to your new property
• if you have a car, does the property you're looking at have parking?
• make sure you check the type of tenancy your proposed exchange partner has - depending on your circumstances, you may lose your security of tenure

You need to contact Rugby Borough Council and request a mutual exchange application form. It will need to be completed by you, as Rugby Borough Councils current tenant, and also the potential incoming tenant. This should be returned to Rugby Borough Council for the attention of your Housing Officer.

Once your Housing Officer has received your application they will have 42days in which to complete their checks and assessments before issuing a final decision. The 42 day deadline does not mean that you have to have moved within that time period but a decision from the Landlord must be given within that timeframe.

Failure to do this would result in the process needing to be re-started. The Housing Officer will complete vigorous checks to ensure your eligibility, check the condition of our current property, complete Landlord reference request for the incoming tenant and carry out gas and electric checks.

If you have a joint tenancy, both parties must agree to the exchange.

Should one party to the tenancy not agree, the exchange cannot go ahead.

To find out more see www.homeswapper.co.uk.