Mutual Exchange

Before you can exchange homes, you first need to identify and agree who you wish to exchange with. This can be another Halton Housing customer, a customer of another housing association or a tenant of the local authority. Unfortunately, a Halton Housing customer cannot mutually exchange with a tenant renting through a private landlord.

Both you and the person you are swapping with need to complete the Mutual Exchange Form below. Exchanges are typically made between two customers, but this can also be done between multiple customers provided all are in agreement of the exchange.

We aim to reply to your request within six weeks. If we do not agree to the exchange, then we will write to you and explain why.

We will usually agree to an exchange unless:

• You have been issued with a court order or Notice of Seeking Possession.
• You have rent arrears.
• You have a Starter Tenancy Agreement.
• Your home is much too large or small for the person you are exchanging with.
• You want to exchange a home specially adapted or designed for a physically disabled or elderly person with someone who is not.

• You can only exchange to a property that is the right size for you.
• If you currently have Preserved Right To Buy or Right to Acquire – you may lose this when exchanging.
• If your request to exchange your home is agreed, you must accept your new home ‘as seen’.
• You will not receive a new tenancy agreement. You will be given a Deed Of Assignment of tenancy which is a legally binding confirmation that the tenancy has been assigned over to you.
• You will need to pay four weeks rent up front before exchange.