Mutual Exchange Guidance Notes

• What is a Mutual Exchange?
• Why should I want to Exchange? 
• How do I find an exchange? 
• What happens next? 

What is a Mutual Exchange?

A Mutual Exchange is where two (or more) tenants decide they want to swap homes. Most Council and Housing Association tenants have a right to exchange and therefore you can exchange to a Housing Association or Council property.

Why should I want to exchange?

A Mutual Exchange may be your best option if you want to move but are not eligible to register on the Council's Housing Waiting list because your present accommodation is suitable for you and your family.  Even if you are on the waiting list it is still worth considering a Mutual Exchange as you may face a long wait for a move.

How do I find an exchange?

If you wish to consider an exchange, a register of tenants who wish to move within the Borough of Fareham is held in the Council Housing Department at the Civic Offices and may be viewed at any time, alternatively you may view the mutual exchange register online.

The mutual exchange registration form (29 Kb)  is available, if you wish to put your own details onto the register, alternatively here is our online form. (This form should only be used by tenants that currently live in the Borough of Fareham and wish to exchange with another Fareham tenant). To qualify you must pay your council tax to Fareham Borough Council.

What happens next?

Once you have found a tenant to exchange with you will need to complete a Mutual Exchange Application Form and return it to the Council Housing Department. 

You must be careful to make a thorough inspection of the property you wish to move to before you accept the exchange because, once you have moved, you will be responsible for the repair and decoration of the property, in particular any non-standard alterations fittings/fixtures, including items which were damaged by the previous tenant. The Council will, continue to be responsible for structure and general repairs to the property.

Once the Council has received the application forms your Area Housing Estates Officer will visit you with the Maintenance Surveyor to inspect your property.  They will advise you if you have to do any work to the property before you move and will also be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the exchange.

The Council has to give you a final decision on whether or not the exchange can proceed within 42 calendar days of receiving the application forms. There are, by law, only 10 grounds on which the Council can refuse the exchange - the most common grounds being if you are subject to a Notice of Seeking Possession or if you wish to move to a property which is much bigger or smaller than you actually need.

The Council may approve the exchange on condition that a breach of tenancy is corrected before the move can take place, for example, if rent arrears are outstanding the debt must be paid before the exchange can proceed.

Once the Council is satisfied, written notification will be sent to you giving approval for the exchange. You will be asked to call into the Council Housing Department with the tenant you are exchanging with to sign the Deed of Assignment.  If you have a joint tenancy both tenants must attend. You should bring some form of identification with you.  Once the Deed of Assignment has been signed you will be able to move.

You must not go ahead with the swap until the Council has agreed in writing to the exchange and the relevant papers have been signed. If you move without this agreement you will be putting your tenancy in jeopardy and could end up with no home at all.

For further information please contact the Department of Council Housing on 01329 236100, or e-mail housing@fareham.gov.uk.