Mutual Exchange
What is a mutual exchange?
A mutual exchange is where a tenant
swaps their home with another tenant. You can exchange homes
with a tenant of any other social landlord in Kent, through a
website called Kent Homechoice.
Who can apply for a mutual
exchange?
All East Kent Housing tenants with a
secure tenancy have a right to exchange, and we will not
unreasonable withhold permission. However, under Schedule 3
of the Housing Act 1985, there are some grounds for refusing
consent to exchange.
View these grounds
Getting started
To begin the process, register your
details on the Kent Homechoice website. You need to provide
details of the property you currently live in, the type of property
you wish to move into, and your contact details.
Register for
mutual exchange
Provided you are eligible, your
application will be approved and you will be given a unique
reference number.
Your property details will be
advertised on the website and you will be able to search for homes
throughout the country.
Making the application
When you have found a person to
exchange a property with, you can download application forms from
the website and apply to East Kent Housing as you will need
permission from your landlord before you can exchange. All parties
wishing to exchange must complete an application form and
submit them to East Kent Housing.
Fill out
the application form (diverts to Canterbury City Council)
What happens next
When we receive all the completed
application forms, we we will check your your tenancy file to
ensure there are no breaches of your tenancy. An
exchange will not take place if you are in rent
arrears
We will then arrange for an inspection
of your property to identify any defects at the property as these
will become the responsibility of the incoming
tenant. Likewise, you will be asked to sign a letter
to accept the property you are moving to in its current
condition.
We will provide a tenant reference to
the landlord of the property you wish to move to, and will request
a reference for their tenant. Each landlord must consent to the
exchange and you must not move until you and your exchange partner
have received written permission.
After written consent has been given,
you will need to agree a date to move with the tenant and their
landlord. A Deed of Assignment will then be prepared and
arrangements made for you and the incoming tenant to sign the
agreements before you move.