Nowadays a lot of people manage a move to a different property by exchanging their house or flat with another individual. In the majority of cases these exchanges will take place within the council or social housing sectors where tenants rent their properties but, in some cases, it is also possible to arrange exchanges on a private basis. So, how do house or flat exchanges work?

An introduction to house or flat exchanges
The actual process of exchanging a house or flat is relatively simple. So, for example, a tenant that rents property with their local council or with a housing association can arrange a mutual swap with another tenant. The first tenant will move into the second tenant's flat or house and vice versa. They will then effectively have tenancy agreements with the new landlords as appropriate.

Sometimes, people exchanging in this way will stay in the same geographical area and, in others, they will arrange an exchange with a tenant who lives in another part of the country. And, some people will exchange on a like-for-like basis (i.e. the same kind of properties) whilst others may exchange different types of properties.

Exchanging properties does not cost anything in terms of legal fees or charges although you may have to pay registration fees if you register with an exchange finder service on a web site that helps you find a new swap if you do not want to find one yourself. Once the swap has been approved and agreed by the landlords involved then you will simply have to make sure that you pay your own removal costs and so on. The time it takes to arrange an exchange can vary -- in most cases, if all is OK, it can take a month or two to get approval and to get sorted.

Council/social house or flat exchanges
In general terms people living in rented accommodation owned by a private landlord and people that have shared ownership of a housing association scheme property will not be allowed to swap in this way. But, many council and housing association tenants can use this method of finding a new home. The advantage here is that you bypass waiting lists for the property or area that you want if you can find someone who is willing to exchange with you.

There are certain conditions that will be laid down before you can arrange a house or flat exchange in this way. For example, you will not be able to set up a mutual exchange if you have not paid your rent up to date or if you have arrears. If you owe money on your rent then you will have to clear the debt before you can start to arrange an exchange. In addition, you cannot offer any kind of cash payment to the person with whom you want to make an exchange as an incentive as this is illegal.

Both parties will also need to get the approval of their landlords before the exchange can take place. There may also be further conditions that are laid out to make sure that this kind of exchange process works to everyone's advantage. For example, if your council has adapted your home to meet a special need or disability that you have, then the person with whom you want to exchange will need to have the same needs.

The size of the properties to be swapped may also be an issue here. For example, you are unlikely to get agreement to proceed if you are looking to move to a property that is too small for your needs -- if the landlord feels that you or your exchange partner will be overcrowded in the property then you are not likely to get the authorisation to go ahead. The same goes for 'undercrowding' in that you probably won't be allowed to move to a property that has more than one bedroom more than you actually need. If in doubt about how this kind of scheme can work in your area, then talk to your council/housing association landlord to find out their terms and conditions.

Privately owned house or flat exchanges
Most home owners are not able to use an exchange system -- after all, selling your home and buying a new one is, in itself, a form of property exchange. But, there are some options open to home owners here -- especially if they are looking to buy a new home via a developer or builder.

Some companies here will give you the option of 'exchanging' your current home and moving into one of their new builds. In effect here they will buy your existing home from you to allow you to move into one of their houses or flats. If there is a big difference between property prices on the two properties then you may still need to arrange a mortgage to cover the shortfall.

Things to consider with house or flat exchanges
Do remember with council/social exchanges that there are terms and conditions that you will have to meet before you can arrange this kind of exchange scheme. If in doubt, talk to your landlord/council to find out if you qualify and how the process works from their end.
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23 August 2010
Real Estate Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, UAE | YellowPage..
Here is the complete comprehensive list of real estate in dubai. get all the details of all the dubai real estates and find your nearest real estate. you will also find the address & contact number of all the real estates in dubai in this site. please find the list of all du. .
NG25
19 August 2010
For Sale or Exchange - Spain to Britain - Spacious..
The property has been extensively renovated and upgraded, set in 2100sqm of fully fenced in and well maintained garden, rural setting yet within easy walking distance of sax and only 30 minutes inland from the coastal town of alicante, beaches and airport. the bungalow has 3 do. .
£195,000
16 August 2010
Buy Hiranandani Flat/Apartment Bangalore@9741773331..
hiranandani group has lunched new residential project hiranandani lake side apartments in bannerghatta in bangalore. hiranandani lake side apartments offer 3 bhk multi- storied apartments spread across 1265 sq. ft to 2061 sq. ft with excellent amenities such as swimming pool, . .
NW6
15 August 2010
1 bedroom flat.... ..wanted 2 or 3 bedroom house will p..
Hi wanted exchange from a 1 bedroom flat with own garden and front door not a ( tower block ) . nice place for a single or old ish couple nearly all decorated soon having new kitchen and bathroom fitted by plymouth city council. wanted a 2 or 3 bedroom house will pay money . .
PL5
07 August 2010
Man Infraprojects Low Price Apartments-9892529828-Valle..
Man valley vista is one of the popular residential developments in nerul (east), navi mumbai. luxurious 3 bhk & 4 bhk duplex apartments available in man valley vista projects. it is among the well known projects of man infraprojects. the landscape is beautiful with spacious . .
£110,950
BT26
24 July 2010
Nirmal Lifestyle 2 BHK, 2.5 BHK and 3 BHK Apartments Mu..
Nirmal lifestyle property developers/builders launch a new high end residential project turquoise at reasonable price. turquoise project is a luxurious living style apartment building of nirmal lifestyle group developer/builder located at mulund mumbai. nirmal lifestyle turqu. .
L17
17 July 2010
raja property..
Prithvi30ae we deal in all types of property - rent/sale/purchase/lease of apartments, flats, villas, houses, land and office space. we deal in a wide variety of residential and commercial property at vadodara, gujarat.
We Are Hiring Mughal147..
we buy houses nationwide. ! we buy houses from home sellers looking to sell for many different reasons. recent changes in the economy have created the need for more creative real estate solutions. there will always be a need for the traditional real estate market, but alterna. .
N19
16 July 2010
home exchae..
House exchange.
12 June 2010
REDUCED PRICE FOR QUICK SALE :: Bahamas Paradise :: Hou..
Address: morgans drive, nicholls town, north andros beds: 4 bedrooms baths: 3. 0 outside shower: 1. 0 floor area: 297sq. m (3200sq. ft) property area: approx. 1045sq. m (11. 250 sq. ft) type: house great family home or could be renovated to bed/breakfast/lodging. has 15 beds. .
£260,000
W1J
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