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How to swap your home or do a mutual exchange?
A mutual exchange is where two tenants, with the permission of their landlord, exchange their properties. This includes Local Authority tenants, tenants of housing associations and other Registered Social Landlords, and in some cases private tenants.
Please remember that some tenancies are less secure than a council tenancy.
If you find another tenant who is willing to swap with you, you will need to make an application to your landlord and get their permission before you move. If you move without permission you could lose your home.
Can I swap my home?
If you are a secure tenant or an assured tenant of a Housing Association or Registered Social Landlord you may have the legal right to exchange homes with another tenant, provided you have your landlords permission.
We cannot generally refuse your request for an exchange without good reason, but you must have the permission from Berneslai Homes (or if you are not a Barnsley Council tenant your landlords permission before you move).
These are the main reasons we may refuse permission for you to swap:
- You, or the person you wish to exchange with, has been served with a Court order for the repossession of your home
- If the exchange would result in overcrowding or severely under occupying your home
- If the property is unsuitable for you or the person you wish to swap with. For example a property adapted for a disabled person or sheltered accommodation for older people
- If you are a Barnsley Council tenant and are in rent arrears or some other breach of your tenancy agreement.
How do I find someone to swap with?
Most people find a “swap” through word of mouth or through advertising in local newspapers or in local shops, post offices etc.
However, Berneslai Homes have joined forces with the national Homeswapper Scheme to bring Barnsley Council / Berneslai Homes tenants the Homeswapper exchange matching service.
The Homeswapper Scheme is the UK's largest list of council and housing association tenants who want to swap their homes.
Finding a swap through Homeswapper may be a quicker way of moving than waiting on the housing register. Once you have joined Homeswapper will automatically find you properties that match your needs, all at the click of a button.
This service is free to join for Barnsley Council/ Berneslai Homes tenants.
If you are not a Barnsley Council/ Berneslai Homes tenant you may have to pay a fee to join Homeswapper.
To join HomeSwapper you can apply by:
- registering online on the Homeswapper website. Within two working days your registration will be activated in order for you to use the website to look for exchanges, which is updated daily;
- You can request an application form from any Barnsley Connects Office or by ringing us on 01226 775555; or
- You can also request a form by email. Contact: homeseeker@barnsley.gov.uk When we receive your email we will post an application form out to you.
Completed forms should be handed in at any Barnsley Connects Office or posted to us at: Berneslai Homes Lettings Section, P.O. Box 627, Barnsley, S70 9FZ.
Once you are registered with Homeswapper you will be notified of potential swaps by email. If you do not have email access, Homeswapper will notify you of swaps by sending you text messages to your mobile phone. If you do not have a mobile phone Berneslai Homes will contact you with potential swaps.
What happens when I find someone to swap with?
Contact any Barnsley Connects Office and request a mutual exchange form. Your swap partner should do the same.
Download and complete a Mutual Exchange Form.
The completed mutual exchange forms should be returned to your local Barnsley Connects office. If you have a landlord other than Berneslai Homes (Barnsley Council) you should also contact your landlord and ask for permission to move. Berneslai Homes staff will then arrange to carry out a home visit and will advise you shortly afterwards whether you can swap.
Do not swap until you have been contacted by Berneslai Homes or your landlord and advised it is alright to move.
Tips for visiting potential swap
It is important to look very carefully at the property and the area before you apply to swap.
Moving home is a big step. If you move and are unhappy, you may be stuck there for sometime.
Remember to check:
- Local facilities i.e. doctors, shops, post offices, schools etc.
- Bus routes
- The condition of your property, we may not carry out some repairs or alterations after you have moved
- The garden is it big enough, open plan, private etc?
- Is the property the right size?
- Will your furniture fit in?
- The rent
- The running costs of the home i.e. gas/ electricity, water charges
- How much decorating is needed?
What about any repairs needed after I have swapped?
If you need to report repairs after you have swapped, then just report them as usual. We will not carry out repairs or replacements that are not as a result of fair wear and tear. In short, you must accept the property as you viewed it and do not assume Berneslai Homes will carry out additional repairs.
I’ve found someone to swap with - how long will it take you to make your decision response times/ next steps.
If you have found someone to swap with when you apply for permission to move we will let you know within 42 working days of us receiving your mutual exchange form.
Under current law if you have not been contacted by Berneslai Homes within 42 days you have an automatic right to carry out the mutual exchange.
More information
You can get help from your local Barnsley Connects Office, Telephone: 01226 775555. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.