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.
Download your application form using the link below (for now,
you will need to select your district council as your
landlord).
Download the
application
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.