Mutual Exchange

A Mutual Exchange is when 2 or more tenants agree to swap housing accommodation. Their landlords must agree to the exchange.

Anyone who has a Scottish Secure Tenancy can apply. This includes tenants of:

• a local authority (does not need to be Dundee City Council)
• a registered social landlord, e.g., housing association
• a water authority or sewerage authority in Scotland
• any local authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

You can use Dundee House Exchange, our free online exchange scheme.

You can also advertise in the local newspapers.

There are several websites where council and housing association tenants seeking to mutually exchange can advertise, there may be a charge to use these services.

For example:

• www.councilexchangesite.co.uk
• www.homeswapper.co.uk
• www.ukhomeswap.co.uk

The Council does not endorse these sites nor guarantee their authenticity or accuracy.

Once you have found someone to exchange with, you need to contact the Lettings Centre, Tel: 0300 123 9023 or 01382 307400, to arrange an appointment to complete an application form. If you need help, a member of staff will help you.

If you want to exchange with someone who is not a tenant of Dundee City Council you will also have to apply to his or her landlord. There is no restriction on the length of tenancy you have before you can apply.

Before agreeing to an exchange we will carry out the following checks:

• that all parties have secure tenancies
• that the houses are suitable for the needs of you and your family and will not cause overcrowding or under occupancy
• the tenancies have been maintained to a satisfactory standard, which includes the houses being in a good state of decoration and repair, there are no outstanding debts and there is no legal action against you or any member of the household
• if any of the properties are specially designed or adapted for persons with special needs
• that any other landlord involved agrees to the exchange

There may be other circumstances when we will not allow an exchange to take place, but we will give you a written decision explaining why within 28 days of receiving your application.

If the exchange is approved, an appointment will be arranged for all parties to sign the relevant documents on a Monday. Your new tenancy will begin that day and you can move any time thereafter.