A mutual exchange can get you moving home quicker

Whether you need more or less space, or need to move for work or family reasons, a mutual exchange lets you choose a home that better suits your needs in a place you want to live. So, if you need a supported housing flat in Sholing, dream of a family home in Cornwall, or want a maisonette in Manchester - a mutual exchange could be the perfect answer to finding your new place.

The online service is free to use, simply follow our step by step guide below and you could be unpacking in your ideal home sooner than you think!

1. Register for free on the Homeswapper
2. Fill in the details about your current home to create your advert
3. Describe the home you want to move to (remember you can only apply for a suitable property that meets your needs so won’t be able to swap for a home with more bedrooms than your household requires)
4. Homeswapper will suggest properties you might like, and you will be able to search thousands of other council and housing association tenants locally and nationally who also want to swap properties
5. If you find a suitable property that you like you like, you can securely message that tenant through the Homeswapper site to ask questions and request photos
6. When you have found a possible swap you can then fix a date to visit
7. Once you and the other swapper have agreed to swap you need to apply for a mutual exchange online and then wait for approval from your Local Housing Office. You cannot swap your property without getting our agreement first
8. Make sure you have enough money to pay for the costs of removals and any new furniture or items that you need in your new home
9. If everything is approved and you go ahead with the swap, please ensure that, on moving day, you leave your home clean and tidy ready for the new occupier. Use the handy checklist on our Moving Out Standard to tick off everything you need to do when you leave. This will help ensure you don’t get charged for any work we have to carry out to repair damage or to clear any personal items left behind

You can only use the Homeswapper service and make an exchange if you have a clear rent account, so if you are in rent arrears talk to us for support to help clear your debt.