Can You Get An Extra Bedroom Through A Mutual Exchange Of A Council House?

If you are wondering whether or not you can get an extra bedroom through the mutual exchange of a council house, you will find the answer to your question in the following blog post. In addition to this, we will also discuss the eligibility criteria for getting an extra bedroom through the mutual exchange of a council house, as well as review the process involves.

Can You Get An Extra Bedroom Through A Mutual Exchange Of A Council House?

Yes, it is possible to get an extra bedroom through a mutual exchange of a council house. The mutual exchange or swapping of council houses with other tenants allows council tenants to swap their homes with another council tenant. 

If you are living in a council property and need an extra bedroom, you can look for a mutual exchange partner who is living in a property with an extra bedroom and is willing to swap homes with you.

However, there are certain criteria that need to be met for mutual exchange to be possible. Both parties must have the permission of their respective council landlords and meet the eligibility requirements. The property being exchanged must also be suitable for the incoming tenant’s needs, including the number of bedrooms required.

In most cases, a mutual exchange that requires an extra bedroom from either of the parties is only possible when they are downsizing from a previous council house.

It is important to note that finding a suitable mutual exchange partner can take time, and there is no guarantee that you will find a property with an extra bedroom that meets your requirements. 

It is also recommended that you seek advice from your local council or a housing association to ensure that you are following the correct procedures and are aware of any legal considerations involved in the process.

Who Can Get An Extra Bedroom Under Mutual Exchange Of A Council House?

You can get an extra bedroom under mutual exchange of a council house if you meet the eligibility criteria for bedroom entitlement. This means that, if you need an additional bedroom, you will have to qualify for it based on the number of people in your household. The bedroom entitlement for council houses is categorised as follows:

• 1 person is entitled to a 1 bedroom property
• 2 people (couple) are entitled to a 1 bedroom property
• 2 people (single / parent and child) are entitled to a 2-bedroom property
• 3 people are entitled to a 2-3 bedroom property
• 4 to 5 people are entitled to a 2-3 bedroom property

This is further classified as under:

• sisters under the age of 16 are entitled to 1 room
• brothers under the age of 16 are entitled to 1 room
• brother and sister, both under the age of 10 are entitled to 1 room
• brother (11) and sister (7) are entitled to 2 rooms

How Can I Exchange My Council House Under Mutual Exchange With Another Council Housing Tenant?

To get a council house under mutual exchange, you must first find a suitable mutual exchange partner who is willing to swap homes with you. Here are the steps you can take to initiate a mutual exchange:

• Contact your local council or housing association to register for their mutual exchange scheme. This will give you access to a list of potential exchange partners.
• You can also advertise your property on websites that cater to mutual exchange. You may find someone who is looking for a property like yours in your desired location.
• Once you have found a potential exchange partner, contact them to discuss the possibility of swapping homes. You can also arrange a viewing of each other’s properties to assess if they meet your needs.
• If you and your exchange partner agree to go ahead with the exchange, you must both obtain permission from your respective landlords. Your landlord will carry out checks to ensure that the property is suitable for the incoming tenant.
• Once both landlords have given permission, you can complete the exchange by signing a mutual exchange agreement. This is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the exchange and the responsibilities of each party.

You can swap your council house under the mutual exchange scheme either through your local council for free by visiting websites such as HomeSwapper and Home & Property Markets | House Buying & Improvements. Otherwise, you can also contact paid third-party exchange schemes such as Uk home swap.

Conclusion:

The above discussion helps to conclude that you can only get an extra bedroom through mutual exchange of a council house if you can prove that you meet the eligibility criteria for bedroom entitlement and if you are downsizing from your current council house. However, there is no guarantee on the time it may take to find a council tenant willing to swap their council house with you under a mutual exchange. 

References:

How to go about a council house exchange – OurProperty.co.uk

L&Q Help & Advice | Can I have more bedrooms than I need when moving by mutual exchange?

Tenancy exchanges or mutual exchanges – Shelter England