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How to swap your home

A mutual exchange is where two or more tenants agree to swap their homes. Swapping homes with other tenants is probably quicker than waiting on the transfer register which housing options nominates people for another home.

The right to exchange your home

If you are a secure tenant, you have the right to exchange your home by assigning your tenancy either to another secure tenant, or to someone who is an assured tenant of a registered housing association or a charitable housing trust. The exchange can be to anywhere in England and Wales provided that you and the other tenant obtain your respective landlords’ written consent to the swap, and where the exchange is with an assured tenant, any consent necessary under his tenancy is obtained.

It is possible to arrange three-way, or more exchanges provided all tenants are secure tenants or assured tenants of one of the organisations mentioned. If you are a secure tenant we cannot refuse consent, except on specific grounds.

We cannot attach conditions to the consent, except in connection with any arrears with your rent or some other outstanding obligations you may have towards them.

You will not be charged a fee as a condition on our consent.

If we do not reply within six weeks to your application for consent it may not be able to refuse it, but if you want to proceed with an exchange without coming back to us you should seek legal advice. If you are refused consent you may be able to challenge the refusal in court.

Help to find an exchange

Housing options maintains a computerised list of other council tenants and also some tenants of housing associations who are on the register wanting to swap homes.

Can you be accepted onto the exchange list?

Yes, if you are an existing council tenant and also some tenants of housing associations can apply.

How to apply

Contact housing options and ask to register on the exchange list. There is no longer a form to complete so depending on your preferences, we should be able to supply you with a list of matches within a few minutes.

How often does the register change?

The exchange list is updated daily.

What happens once I have found someone who wants to swap?

You need to contact your area office or housing association to complete application forms that give details of your proposed swap of homes.

What if I want to move out of Portsmouth?

At present, our exchange list only deals with exchanges within Portsmouth and Havant. If you want to move to another part of the country the best option may be to use one of a number of websites which advertise council and housing association exchanges. To use one of these sites you will need to register with the site, which tend to be private companies and are not linked to us. In some cases a small fee may be payable for registration. Details of some useful sites offering exchanges for council and housing association tenants can be found in the right hand column.We would be interested in hearing any feedback from tenants who have used these sites at housing.options@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Can I offer money to someone to exchange with me?

No, this is against the law.

How to contact us

Portsmouth City Council, Housing Options, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AX

You can call us on 023 9283 4989 or email us at housing.options@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.