How do I do it?
We keep a register of people who want to exchange. Phone our Housing Liaison Officers on 0300 5000 600 to get a form to fill in to join the register and call into the office to look at the properties on offer.
Click here to download the registration form.|
If you find a property you are interested in, we will give you the phone number of the tenant to contact to see if they are interested in your property. If so, you can arrange to view each others’ homes. Alternatively, another tenant going through the process might contact you.
Exchanges across different housing associations
Leeds-area tenants can use the Leeds Homes House Exchange website to advertise their property and browse available exchanges. Tenants in Leeds, Kirklees and Calderdale can use Homeswapper for posting and browsing for mutual exchanges, and websites such as Gumtree can also be useful.
Click here to visit the Leeds Homes House Exchange website.|
Click here to visit the Homeswapper website.|
Click here to visit the West Yorkshire Gumtree website.|
Viewing properties
When viewing properties check the condition of the new property carefully as any repairs caused by damage must be completed by your exchange partner before they leave (otherwise you will have to pay for them).
Click here for a link to our leaflet which provides information about Mutual Exchanges.
Getting permission to move/exchange
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To get our written permission you must notify the Housing Liaison Officers on 0300 5000 600 you want to exchange.
Our next step is to ensure that everything is in order with both applications. This may take some time, especially if you are exchanging with someone who rents from another organisation.
We will then send you and the other party a letter giving you permission. If the permission is refused and the reason concerns your circumstances, we will not disclose this information to the other party.
If permission is given, you should then:
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Agree on a date to move with the other party.
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Arrange your removal.
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Allow access for gas/electrical safety checks.
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Arrange to call at our office with the other party to sign the assignment forms.
It is essential that you do not move until you receive the letter of permission and ‘sign-up’. If you do so, you will be putting your tenancy at risk as legal action can and will be taken against you.
Be aware that you are swapping your tenancy and not just a house. Check your swap partner’s tenancy agreement. Assured tenants have less security of tenure than Secure tenants.
Finally, check with the current occupier which items they intend to take with them when they move out.