Mutual exchange

If you would like to move to a different property, or to a different area you can swap your home with someone else by using the Mutual Exchange scheme.

What is it?

• A mutual exchange is a home swap with another social housing tenant
• When you move, you swap tenancies
• You can swap homes with any council or housing association tenant in the UK as long as they have the right to mutual exchange and want to swap homes with you

Why should I mutual exchange?

• You are in control of the process. It is not linked to local priority housing lists
• You choose the home that suits you
• You view the home before starting the process
• You agree when you move with the other tenant

What do I need to know?

• You must have our permission to mutual exchange. Speak to us before starting your search
• Before you begin we need to check that you are eligible to exchange
• We can then explain the process and offer you practical help and advice
• The home is taken 'as seen'. This means that the incoming tenant is liable for the exisitng tenant's recharable repairs and alterations
• Your rent must be paid in full and up to date before we can approve your mutual exchange. If you owe rent because of benefit changes as part of Welfare Reform we can discuss your repayment options as part of your exchange

More information

• The Homeswapper website is one of the best tools to find your exchange partner, and is free to use for SHG residents. 
• Please read our mutual exchange leaflet which explains the mutual exchange process in more detail.
• Once you’ve found a mutual exchange partner, please download and complete the Mutual Exchange form and return it to us.
• Mutual exchange form (opens as PDF)

If you would prefer us to post the forms out to you, please fill in your details below.

HomeSwapper

HomeSwapper is a national service to help social housing tenants exchange homes.

More than 65,000 homes have been successfully swapped using HomeSwapper, with most tenants finding a match in less than 24 hours.

Southern Housing Group has partnered with HomeSwapper, so the service is free for you to use.

There is likely to be a big increase in the number of people looking to swap homes as everyone works out how they will be financially affected by the new rules. It’s important that you register soon so that you can be matched with other people looking to swap.

For further information you can read this HomeSwapper guide (0.9MB, PDF) on how it works.