Swap your council home

You can swap your council home with a tenant from another council or housing association. This is called a mutual exchange.  

Swapping your home is the fastest way to move. You can exchange with a tenant anywhere in the country.   

 

Who can swap   

All council tenants with a secure tenancy and most housing association tenants have a right to exchange properties. You must:   

  • have lived in Redbridge for at least 12 months  
  • have leave to remain 
  • live in secure accommodation not temporary accommodation   

You application to swap can be refused if:   

  • you have not paid your rent
  • you have a notice seeking possession of your property 
  • you have broken tenancy conditions
  • you’re guilty of a crime or antisocial behaviour 
  • the property is larger than you need 
  • the property is too small for your needs and would mean overcrowding
  • the property has been adapted for a person with a physical disability and if the exchange were to go ahead, such a person would no longer live in the property
  • you’re in sheltered housing and the person you want to swap with doesn't need those services  

 

Find a home to swap  

You can find someone to swap with any way you want. Try to be flexible about the areas and type of property you want.   

You can advertise your home and search for properties on:  

You'll need to register on these websites first.    

If you’re thinking of moving out of Redbridge, you can find contact details for other local authorities on the GOV.UK website.   

 

Things to consider before applying   

When you swap your home:   

  • be certain the property is right for you and check it out carefully
  • you take on the tenancy at the new property, which may be a different type of tenancy to yours
  • you take on the rent at the new property, which may be calculated differently to yours  

 

How to apply   

If you’re swapping your home through HomeSwapper, you can apply directly with them.  

Contact us when you have:   

  • found an exchange partner  
  • visited their home     

You need to contact us to get permission to go ahead. Complete a swap your council home form (PDF 435KB)  

Both partners will need permission from their own landlords for the exchange to go ahead.  

 

What happens next   

We’ll review your application and make a decision. We’ll need to arrange inspections and contact landlords for references.  

We’ll get back to you within 42 days.