If you want to change your social rented home, you may be able to swap with another resident through a process called 'mutual exchange'. 

Here you'll find guidance on what to do when permanently swapping your rented home.  This includes information about your eligibility, finding a mutual exchange and how to apply. 

Eligibility

If you hold a secure tenancy ,  you may be eligible to exchange homes with anyone who rents:

• another LBBD council property
• another housing association home
• a local council home

Please note that you will not be able to swap with someone else if:

• you are within the first 12 months of your current tenancy with LBBD.
• either resident has been issued a Notice Seeking Possession on certain grounds and the Notice is still in force
• either resident is subject to a Possession Order or Possession proceedings have been started on certain grounds
• either resident is subject to a Suspended Possession Order for antisocial or riot-related behaviour
• either resident, a person residing with the resident or visitor is the subject of an antisocial behaviour injunction, ASBO or an injunction order under s1 in the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
• the home is too small or large for the incoming resident and their family (we will decide whether the home is too small or large)
• the home is adapted to the needs of a disabled person and these adaptions are not needed by the incoming tenant. We may ask you to accept the adaptations and you won’t be allowed to change them or take them out of the home.  We will look at every case and judge it by merit.

How to find a home

You can register for free with Homeswapper.

This service lets you search for homes you’d like to move into and advertise your home to people looking to move.

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

The application process

After you have found someone to swap with and have viewed each other's properties, complete the mutual exchange application form.  One form per person needs to be completed, even if it is a multi-swap.   

If the person you want to swap homes with is not a resident of Barking and Dagenham, we’ll also need to write to their landlord to request a reference and forward them your reference.

You must be available for a property and electrical inspection, otherwise, we won’t be able to move forward with your application.

We will decide within 42 days, and you’ll receive a letter  granting or refusing permission to swap homes.

Please do not move until you have had a written approval letter from us and the electric checks have been completed. We’ll then agree on a suitable move date with you.

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 as properties are taken as seen.

Check if your right to buy or right to acquire would be affected by moving.

Make sure the property is the right size for you and that it’s not too big or small.

Check that you haven’t got any rent arrears. These will need to be paid off before you can exchange.

If you want to exchange homes with someone who doesn’t rent a property with us, they’ll have to contact their landlord to complete an application.

Offering or accepting an incentive to make an exchange happen is illegal.

If you have concerns about any potentially illegal or fraudulent activity, you should get in touch with our customer services team.