Exchange your council house

If your council home doesn’t meet your needs, you might be able to move to a different one.

This could be because:

• Your home is too small or big for you
• Your home does not meet your health or disability needs
• Your benefits have been reduced and you cannot afford your rent
• You need to move to a different area

Swapping your council or housing association home with another tenant is often called a mutual exchange. You will need to have a secure or flexible (fixed-term) tenancy, follow certain rules and get permission from your landlord (the council).

Please be aware that if you have rent arrears at your current tenancy, you are not likely to be eligible for a mutual exchange until this has been paid in full.

HomeSwapper

If the council is happy for you to exchange you’ll need to register with HomeSwapper, the mutual exchange service.

There is no fee for this service as we have subscribed on behalf of our tenants.

After registering with HomeSwapper you need to list your property as available for mutual exchange and search for homes you are interested in. You will receive alerts by email or text when the type of property you want is registered.

If you have found an exchange partner you will need to complete the online Mutual Exchange Application form to apply for permission to effect a mutual exchange.

Before you agree to exchange your home with someone else, make sure you can afford the rent and the property meets your needs.

For more information or help with your application contact our Housing Options team, email rehousing@eppingforestdc.gov.uk.