The home swap process

Our step by step guide deals with how this website can be used to help you in your search for a mutual exchange house swap.

Finding a property

This is usually the most difficult part of the process.  You can use this website to search for people looking to move you your area or search areas that you are interested in.  The more flexible you are over the location and type of property the more likely you are to be able to find someone to swap with.

Once you have found a property you need to contact the currnet tenant to see if they are interested in your property.  This website allows registered users to send emails to tnenatns whose property they are interested in.

Viewing and considering a property

Once you have found a property you will normally want to have a look around it to check that it is suitable for your needs.  You also need to consider the other aspects of the property such as its local schools, amenities, etc.  A checklist of considerations can be found in the article property checklist.

Application

Once you have found a property you need to both obtain application forms from your landlord, council or housing association.

Once you have completed the application form you should hand it to your landlord, or if sending by post it is recommended that you send it recorded so that you can confirm receipt.

Landlord consideration

Once the landlord or council has received the application form they have 42 days (from the date of receipt) to approve or refuse the exchange.

The landlord will normally wish to inspect your property and will contact you shortly after receipt of the application to arrange a date with you.  Siilarly they may wish to undertake certain safety checks such as gas and electricity.

Decision

The landlord will inform the tenants of their decision within 42 days of receipt of the application.  They may either approve the application or refuse it.

If the 42 day period expires without the landlord either granting or refusing the exchange they can no longer lawfully withhold consent. At this point consent is considered to have been granted and the Landlord must now provide this in writing to enable the exchange to proceed.  The exception to this is if the landlord notifies the applicant of a problem relating to one of the grounds within the initial 42 day period.  In this event the 42 day period restarts from the date of that letter.

Exchange approved

Once the application has been approved you will need to agree a moving date with the person you are swapping homes with.  You will be required to sign a deed of assignment confirming the legal aspects of the exchange.

Once this is completed you will then be able to move in on the agreed date.

The house swapping process is not deemed to have completed until all parties involved have taken possession of their new homes and therefore, whilst unusual,  it is possible to pull out of the arrangement until the move has happened.

Exchange refused

If your application has been refused your landlord will inform you in writing as to the reasons.  Refusal can only be made on certain grounds and a summary of these can be found on the refusal page.

It may be possible to rectify some of the issues preventing the home swap such as payment of rent arrears or making good any damage to the property.

Post swap

Be sure to update your details on this site and remove the advert from our listings.  This can be done by logging on and in the house swap section clicking on my adverts.

We would be pleased to have any comments on how you found the house swap process for inclusion on this site.  Please email our support desk with your story (only available to registered users).