A mutual exchange is where two or more tenants have agreed to swap houses.
Tenants can exchange their home with:
- another council tenant
- a tenant of another local authority or housing association
Tenants can try to find a suitable tenant to exchange with using different methods:
- create an account on HomeSwapper through the online East Ayrshire Housing Register
- place an advert in a local shop or in the shops in the area they want to move to
- speak to their Neighbourhood Coach to see if they know of anyone who would suit your criteria
How to apply
Once a tenant has found someone to swap with, they both need to fill in a mutual exchange application form (PDF 298Kb) and return it to their neighbourhood housing office.
What happens next
A housing officer will visit the tenant's home to check that it is in a satisfactory condition. They will check the tenant has a clear rent account and a satisfactory tenancy report. The same information will be requested from the other tenant.
If the exchange is approved, both tenants will receive official permission to swap homes on a specific date and will need to sign a new tenancy agreement for their new houses.
The process should take no longer than one month.
An application could be refused under the following circumstances, if either tenant:
- has allowed the condition of their home to deteriorate
- owes more than one month's rent
- is worsening their housing condition either by overcrowding or under-occupancy
- does not have a satisfactory tenancy record