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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House & Flat Exchange  
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Classified Ad Results  ( 1 to 12 of 12 ads found )
03 July 2009
COUNCIL EXCHANGE 2 BED FLAT ENFIELD EN3..
2 bed 7th floor flat enfield en3 2 double bedroom flat in enfield on quiet estate. 12 storey block with 2 lifts, garages and car park. recently modernised, new double glazing, balconies and cladding. under floor heating, new intercom system with cctv screen in flat. .
£81
EN3
22 June 2009
Exchange 1 bed flat...
Exchange wanted. we have a very clean 1 bed flat,2nd floor,very very quiet. so quiet you do not here any tvs music etc solid walls. housing ass. just our block in road with private houses. next to littl church local shops bus stops. new kitchen,new bath. communal garden. new c. .
TN34
21 June 2009
exchange wanted seeking a one bedroom flat ..
I have a 10th floor 1 bedroom flat in sunningdale court, square hill road, maidstone, me15 7tu. £75. 00 a week, features: central heating, plus lift, bathroom, etc. landlord: maidstone housing trust. seeking a one bedroom flat in {swanscombe (kent)greenhithe (kent. .
DA11
17 June 2009
exchange wanted from large 3 bed GOOLE, EAST YORKS..
Exchange wanted from a large 3 bed end house in goole, east yorkshire none estate, own drive with intergrated garage,fully double glazed,full gas central heating. near to river,quiet area. near to all amenities waning 2/3 bed property lincolnshire and all other areas con. .
DN14
11 June 2009
Drastically Reduced For Quick Sale..
You will be happy to move into your new home (or your holiday home) or simply have it as an investment in the beautiful national park harz, in the middle of germany. you can enjoy the delightful view while enjoying your breakfast in your completely furnished forest apa. .
£89,000
10 June 2009
Flat Exchange. Wellingborough..
One bed modern flat for exchange, wellingborough. garden, own patio, walk in shower/wet-room, suitable for disabled, wooden doors, walk in wardrobe, peacefull cul-de-sac. consider most areas to exchange, ideally want a 2 bed swap. .
NN8
Drastically Reduced For Quick Sale..
House description 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 b. .
£212,900
06 June 2009
2 bed 2nd fl maisonette gorleston-want 1-2 bed property..
I have a large 2 bed 2nd floor maisonette in gorleston 1 mile gt yarmouth-all the rooms are big,large balcony,communial garden&washing lines downstairs,shed downstairs,intercom system-secured gate and doors. close to drs,schools,parks,bus-stops,5 mins highstreet- be. .
NR31
04 June 2009
large 3 storey 4 bedroom house..
I have a large 3 storey 4 bedroom house availabe for a mutual exchange,very close to all amentities etc. i am looking to move out of the runcorn area and wanting to move into congleton area.
£83
WA7
27 May 2009
Advertise your Homeswap@ propertyexchangeandaffordableh..
Are you still looking for a swap? advertise your property across the uk . we provide a mutual exchange service for council and housing association tenants. features include email alerts create a photoslideshow add upto 12 images visit our website for further informa. .
08 May 2009
my one bedroom flat 1st floor -N17 for your 1 bed flat/..
I have a 1 bedroom in white hart lane tottenham n17; rtb rent: £72 a week (don’t be put off by tottenham)this part is not a rough area. i live on a very quiet road its called allington avenue n17. my block has a ground floor and a 1st floor. i live on the . .
N15
06 May 2009
Council house exchange. Seaford to Brighton..
2 bed, semi detatched house. large front and back gardens, real wood floors throughout. double bedrooms. good size kitchen and bathroom. gch. two working open fires. very close to clean beach and town centre. scenic surrounding areas. exchange for similar to own in b. .
BN25
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