Mutual exchange

If you want to change your social rented home, you may be able to swap with another resident through a process called ‘mutual exchange’. The person you swap with can be renting from a housing association or council housing body other than L&Q. 

Here, you'll find guidance on what to do if you are considering permanently swapping your home with another tenant. This includes information on eligibility, finding a mutual exchange home and how to apply.

Finding a mutual exchange home

If you want to exchange your home, we recommend that you register for free with HomeSwapper or House Exchange.

Both services allow you to search for suitable properties and let others view your home.

You may also be able to find an exchange by advertising in local shops and papers or speaking to family and friends.

Things to consider before you swap homes

Make sure you look carefully at the property’s condition and how it is decorated to make sure you are satisfied – properties are taken as seen.

It’s illegal to offer or accept an incentive to make an exchange happen. If you have concerns about any potentially illegal or fraudulent activity, please get in touch with our customer service centre.

If you would like to exchange homes with someone who doesn’t rent a property with us, they will also need to contact their landlord to complete an application.

What happens when you apply

Once an application has been received by all parties, we need to check if you’re eligible to proceed.

If you are eligible, we’ll send you a property assessment questionnaire to fill in. This is to check the condition of your property and make sure there is no damage or alterations. There may also be an in-person inspection.

After we’ve received your completed questionnaire, we’ll share this information with your exchange partner. We’ll also let you know of any work that needs to be done before the exchange can go ahead.

If the person you want to swap homes with is not an L&Q tenant, we’ll need to write to their landlord to request a reference as well as forward them a reference for you.

A decision will be made within 42 days of receiving your completed application and you’ll receive a letter either granting or refusing permission to swap homes.

Please note that if you swap homes without permission or after permission has been refused, you will be expected to move back into your original home.

Eligibility criteria

If you hold a secure, assured or fixed-term tenancy and have passed your probationary period, you may be eligible and can apply to exchange homes with:

• another L&Q tenant
• another housing association tenant
• a local council tenant

You must get permission from both landlords before an exchange date can be agreed upon. If your rent account is in arrears the exchange may not take place – even after you have permission to exchange.

There are some grounds upon which we can refuse an exchange and we will explain these if we have to refuse. We will not unreasonably withhold permission to exchange.