How to exchange your home

Please note that from December 2008, you will be able to upload details of your accommodation on the Homefinder Somerset website and search for a suitable exchange.

The Taunton Deane housing register mutual exchange scheme

What is the Mutual Exchange Scheme?

This scheme helps you to help yourself to find alternative accommodation through a mutual agreement between two or more tenants.

If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant within Taunton Deane, and wish to move within this area, you can try to find another tenant to exchange with.

How do I find another tenant to exchange with?

The Council keeps a computerised exchange list which contains the addresses of Council and Housing Association tenants who wish to move to other accommodation within Taunton Deane. The list details the present property of the tenant and the size of property and area desired. You may inspect this list by calling into the Council's Housing Reception Desk at the Deane House or alternatively look through the Exchange cards on the Tenants Exchange Boards situated in the Council's Taunton and Wellington offices.

New addresses are added each month and a new list is available at the beginning of each month. Once you have found a suitable exchange, tell the Housing Receptionist who will then issue you with an introductory letter to give to the other tenants.

The Council automatically assumes that any tenant submitting a transfer application will be interested in the possibility of obtaining a direct exchange. If you do not want your address added to the Exchange Bureau, please let us know. Some tenants also advertise in the local press, inviting contacts for possible exchanges.

If I find someone to exchange with, what do I do next?

All tenants involved must complete an application form available from the Council, stating that they wish to exchange, confirming that they have inspected each other's property and agreeing to accept the tenancy with the property in its present condition.

The Council and Partner Landlords will not incur any costs in the case of exchanges. Discuss any repairs with your Estates Officer before agreeing to exchange.

Do I need my landlord's permission to exchange?

Yes. Do not exchange without permission from the Council or your Housing Association Landlord.

Most landlords will give permission provided the following conditions are met:-

(a) All tenants involved must have a clear rent account, and no Possession Order in Force against them.

(b) The property will not be overcrowded or substantially under occupied.

(c) The property is only suitable for a household with special needs, and the proposed new tenant has such a need.

(d) No fee or premium has passed between the tenants who are a party to the exchange.

(e) The prior written approval of Taunton Deane Borough Council or your Housing Association Landlord has been obtained before any move takes place.

With some Housing Association Landlords, where one tenant lives in a village, the other tenant may be asked to provide evidence of a connection with that village.

Some Partner Landlords have other restrictions on exchanges, and your own landlords will explain this to you.

A home visit will be arranged by your Landlord to ensure the above.

Housing Association and Council tenants have different types of tenancies. Your tenancy can be affected by an exchange, so you should check what type of tenancy you will be taking and what differences there may be.

If permission has been granted, you will be asked to sign an agreement to the effect that you are willing to accept the accommodation as it stands.

Should you decide to leave any carpets or curtain fittings etc., this should be agreed with your exchange partner, and all items being left must be clearly marked with a label "Do not remove". The Council or Housing Association Landlord cannot be held responsible for the loss or removal of any such items, or become involved in any dispute arising over this.

How long does the exchange take?

Your landlord should let you know within 42 days if permission is granted or refused, and a letter will be sent to you confirming the decision. Council tenants must give three clear weeks notice to Housing Services from the following Monday after the home visit.

Please note, once you have accepted an alternative property via an exchange, your Transfer/Exchange application will be cancelled, as it will be assumed, unless you advise otherwise, that your housing problem has been resolved.

The National Homeswaps Scheme

This scheme helps both Council tenants and Housing Association tenants to move out of the area to another part of the country, by way of exchange. An application form can be obtained from the Council's Housing Options Team. When you have completed the form, return it direct to the Homes address on the leaflet.

Your application will be processed, and details of your current home, the type of property you require and the wish to move to, is held on a computer and displayed on lists in your chosen area.

If you want to know if anyone with a suitable property in the area of your choice needs to move to the Taunton Deane area, you should inspect the Homeswap list at the Council's Housing Reception. In addition, HOMES will send you exchange suggestions.

As with internal exchanges, tenants should not exchange without the written permission of each Landlord involved. 

How to Exchange your Home (78 KB)

Further information

The council exchange site (external link) is an independent website offering a free mutual exchange service. Their website covers almost every town in the UK and is free for tenants to use.

The documents on this website can be downloaded and are published using the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) format. To view or print these documents, Adobe's Acrobat PDF reader is required which can be downloaded from the Adobe Systems' website (external link)