Mutual exchanges

Want to swap homes with another tenant?

This can be a straightforward way to move, but you’ll need to check your tenancy agreement first. We’re happy to help with this.

You can swap homes with another council or housing association tenant, but you’ll need permission from both Curo and the other housing provider. We’ll also need to carry out some checks before it can go ahead.

You may be able to swap if:

• You have an Assured or Secure tenancy
• Your rent account is clear and you don’t owe us money
• You’re not breaking any tenancy rules

We won’t be able to approve a swap if:

• You owe us money
• Legal action has started against you
• The home is too big or too small for your household’s needs
• Your home is in poor condition
• The property is designed for specific needs (e.g. sheltered housing) and you don’t meet the criteria
• You have a Starter tenancy

Important to know:

• If you’re a Protected Assured or Secure tenant and move to a different landlord, you may lose rights like the Right to Buy.
• If you have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, you’re unlikely to be able to move through mutual exchange. Please contact us to discuss your options.

When you're ready, complete the application form in our Mutual Exchange Guide. 

It's also important to know that residents with any type of Assured Shorthold Tenancy are unlikely to have the right to move through a mutual exchange. Please contact us to discuss your moving options.

How do I find someone to swap with?

We pay a subscription to HomeSwapper so you don't have to. You can log onto their website here to advertise your home and look for people to swap with. Once you have found someone to swap with contact us and we'll advise you on what else you, and we, need to do.

Get your home up to scratch

Anything you can do to help make your home more attractive to other residents will speed up the time it takes to find a swap.  We will need to inspect your property before we can give approval so it is really important to think about the following:

• Are any repairs required to your home? If so, please report this by calling 01225 366000.
• Have you broken something, or are things missing that were there when you moved in? If so, please replace them. If you’re not sure how to do this we may be able to help, but we will charge you for this service. These charges will need to have been paid before you swap.
• Have you made any changes to the property? And if so, did you get our permission?  If no, please request this now by calling 01225 366000. As well as being a breach of your tenancy we will need to check that what you have done is safe.

Also remember that you will need to leave your property in good condition so think about the following….

• If there is any junk – including things stored in the loft, outhouses and garden – that you need to get rid of, do it now. We expect homes to be clean and clear at the point of exchange.
• If you can, brighten up your home with a lick of paint – it’s amazing what a difference it makes.
• If you have a garden, give it a tidy-up.