Homes

This information explains:

What to do if you want to exchange your home.
What the rules are.
What to do when you find someone to exchange with.

If you have any questions after reading this information, please contact your local neighbourhood office . Our staff will be pleased to help.

What to do first

When you call in at any of our offices you will be asked to complete a housing application form which will be used to register your interest in a mutual exchange. This will put your name on our system.

Mutual exchange register

This is a register of all tenants who want to exchange within St Helens. We can search the system for you and try to match you with another tenant who also wishes to exchange.

What are the rules?

You must get the consent of your landlord.
You must not owe any rent.
Your home and garden must be in good condition. Unauthorised alterations or damage will need to be put right before your application is approved.
You must not give or accept any money to make the exchange go through.
Your tenancy should not have a Notice of Seeking Possession or a Court Order for Possession on it.
If the home you want to exchange to is designated for a person with special needs (e.g. disabled or elderly persons flat) and neither of you nor any household member has such needs, the exchange would not be allowed.

What to do and what happens when you find someone to exchange with

You and the person you want to exchange with should arrange to view each other’s homes and, if you both agree, complete an Exchange Application Form.
Hand the form in to any local neighbourhood office .
A neighbourhood officer will visit both of you (if appropriate) and inspect your homes.
We will let you know, in writing, within 6 weeks, if the exchange can go ahead or not.
Do not move without formal approval (else you will probably have to move back).
If approval is granted you will be asked to sign an assignment form for the home you are moving into.
You can then move into your new home.

It will be up to you to make removal arrangements, including notifying gas, electricity, telephone suppliers.

Further information

If you would like further information on Mutual Exchanges, or HOMES / Homeswap Schemes, contact your local neighbourhood office .

Click here to find out how to contact our local neighbourhood offices>
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On this page...

Introduction
What to do first
Mutual exchange register
What are the rules?
What to do and what happens when you find someone to exchange with
Further information