When can an application to exchange properties be refused?

The reasons for refusing an application to home swop are limited but are outlined below:

• It is established that the applicant has exchanged his home with another tenant and either paid money to, or received money from, the other tenant as a condition of making the exchange.
• The Landlord has obtained a court order or has given notice of or commenced proceedings for repossession of your home.
• The property you propose to exchange to is substantially larger than your needs and the exchange would result in under occupancy.
• The property you propose to exchange to is too small for your needs and the exchange would result in overcrowding.
• The existing tenant obtained the property through their employment and it is located within the grounds of a building not normally used for housing purposes.
• The Landlord is a registered charity and the applicant would not meet the criteria for assistance from that charity.
• The property has adaptations to suit the needs of a physically disabled person and the applicant would not require those adaptations/is not considered physically disabled.
• The Landlord is a Housing Association or Trust that accommodates only applicants of a specific group and the applicant does not meet that criteria.
• The property is of a group that are normally occupied by tenants with special needs, there are special facilities nearby designed for persons with the type of special needs and the applicant does not require that type of specialist accommodation.
• The property is managed by a management co-operative and the applicant is not willing to join the co-operative.

For more information please see the guide to the home swap process and also the requirements for being eligible for a home swap. 

It should also be noted that breaching the first of these is an offence and could result in you losing your current home.