Uk House Exchange
Benefits of becoming a member of uk house exchange
Fast instant access 24/7
Full access to all ukhomeswap features
Free photo hosting for your homeswaps (unlimited photos)
Thousands of council exchanges and homeswaps available now
Fast growing member base
loads of new council exchanges and homeswaps added daily
Free use of our council house exchange chatroom
Edit your own council exchange/homeswap ads
Delete your own council exchange/homeswap ads
Add your contact details so members can contact you
Access to our list of council exchange homeswap sites
Place unlimited council exchange and homeswap adverts
Notified by email when your adverts are replied to
Private message system (to contact members)
Priority support
Less timewasters
More serious movers
plus lots more inside
Payments Accepted?
We us Paypal, our third party payment proccessor, cards accepted, debit and visa, electron & also direct funds from your bank account if you don't have the use of a debit or credit card.
Payments Accepted?
We us Paypal, our third party payment proccessor, cards accepted, debit and visa, electron & also direct funds from your bank account if you don't have the use of a debit or credit card.
What is a Mutual Home Swap?
An exchange of homes between two households living in social housing.
A mutual home swap is a property exchange within the United Kingdom, Council and Housing Association secure and assured tenants have the right to exchange their homes to suitable homes for them and their families. You will need permission from your Landlords in writing before you can exchange.
How long does it take to Exchange?
42 days or less
Depending on your exchange, how many parties are involved and whether you are moving long distance or moving within the local area, it can take up to 42 days for your landlords to agree on your exchange and give you permission to move from the day all parties involved hand in their mutual exchange application forms.
I have rent arrears can I still exchange?
No
Tenants must pay all of their rent including any arrears before a mutual exchange swap can be permitted.
Is it free to exchange?
Yes it is.
Your council or housing association landlord will not charge you’re for processing your mutual exchange swap application forms. However they will not pay for your removal expenses.
Can I pay someone to exchange with me?
No
Do not offer any rewards or cash incentives in return for an exchange. It is illegal and you and your family could be evicted from your property by your council or housing association.
Can i give someone gifts/or goods to exchange with me?
No
Do not offer any rewards or cash incentives in return for an exchange. It is illegal and you and your family could be evicted from your property by your council or housing association.
Will my landlord pay for my removal expenses?
No
You will need to arrange to pay for your own removal expenses, the cheapest option for families on a low income is self drive 7.5 ton lorries which can be driven on a full UK driving Licence which you must have held for a minimum of 12 months.
Can exchanges can be refused?
Yes
If you have rent arrears and have been taken to Court.
If you have not kept to the terms of your Tenancy Agreement.
If the house you are wanting to move to is too big or too small for you and your families needs.
If the property was built for, or been adapted for a disabled person.
If the property has been designed for the elderly only and you are younger than the age requirements of the property.
Emailing Members - Suspicous Mail
We never ask for passwords,banking or personal details or add attachments
I Want To Reply To An Advert In Archives?
You can only send via email
How will UK Home Exchange help?
UK Home Exchange delivers exchanges! Every night we check for potential new exchanges
Can anyone apply to UK Home Exchange?
Yes, providing that they are a tenant in the social housing sector looking to exchange homes.
How do I register?
Go to the welcome page and click on "Join" to complete the online registration form. Once you have completed the registration process, you will have your username and password and you will need this to gain full access to some of the website.
Will I have to pay?
Max of £2.00 for a whole year
Can I use a form to apply?
You can register online. Presently there are no application forms, but this service may be added in the future.
:I was registered with the Homeswap scheme, do I have to register again with UK Home Exchange?
Yes you need to register again as the Homeswap scheme has been terminated by Government, however the process is quicker and easier than before.
How do I find out about possible exchanges?
You can search on the website for homes you like and want to swap to whenever you want. In addition, if you are registered, as people register their home's details, these are compared to your requirements
Can I search for a home without having to register?
Yes, but if you want the full details of a property including contact details, you will need to be registered.
When I register with UK Home Exchange, who can see my details?
Once you have registered your details will be available to registered users. For administrative purposes your full details are available to UK Home Exchange staff. Landlords who participate in the UK Home Exchange service are also able to view details of applicants.
For full details of use and accessibility of your registrations details please refer to the "Terms & Conditions – Terms of Use".
Is UK Home Exchange available in other languages?
No
Can I add a photograph of my property?
Yes, you can but we reserve the right to withdraw this for any registrant who uploads inappropriate material.
What should I do if my circumstances change?
You can amend your registration details on the website. Login and select the "Members Area" section of the "My Pages" area. There you can see your details and there is an "edit registration" link.
What can I do if I've forgotten my username or password?
We can send you your login details in an email. However, for security reasons we can only send this information to the email you gave when registering.
What should I do if my username and password don't work?
Have you typed the numbers or letters correctly? Double check it against any correspondence we have sent you as it will always be quoted on this. Please note that usernames and passwords are NOT case sensitive.
There is a home I'm interested in. What do I do now?
Contact the tenant of the property you are interested in directly to get more details. If you want to progress arrange a time to view each other's property. Do not call at the address unless you have arranged to do so. It may not be a convenient time to call, or the other party may not be at home. If you like each other's properties, you both need to contact your landlords to get their permission to swap.
Also follow these Personal Safety Tips
If you are viewing a property:
1. Always plan your journey in advance. Check bus and train times. Or if practical, order a cab to come to the property you are viewing at a certain time. Or arrange for someone to collect you at a pre-arranged time.
2. Try to view the property in daylight.
3. If you can, take someone with you.
4. If you can't take a friend, leave the following details with a friend or in an obvious place in your own home, or call your own answer machine with the details:
where you are going (address and telephone number)
the time of the viewing
the name of the person you are meeting
5. Ask the person you are meeting if there will be someone else there when you view the property. Don't be ashamed to say that you are aware of your own personal safety and need to know as many details as possible so that you can inform a friend of your whereabouts.
6. Never accept a lift before or after viewing a property - no matter how tempting the offer.
7. Carry a personal alarm (you can buy these from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust). Have it in an easily accessible pocket.
8. Bring your mobile phone and keep it switched on and in a safe place, out of view. If you don't have one, see if you can borrow one.
9. Use the mobile phone to "log someone in". Phone a friend/relative to say "Hi, just to let you know I've arrived at .. and Mr (or Mrs).. is showing me around. I'll meet you in 20 minutes, but give me a ring if I'm running late."
10. Trust your instincts. If you have a funny feeling about something, leave straight away. Be prepared with an excuse to leave before attending the viewing (feeling sick/room sizes not big enough/too large for your needs. Be polite about the property you are viewing).
If you are showing your property:
1. Do not give out unnecessary personal details.
2. Try to make sure someone is with you during the viewing.
3. Check whether there will be anyone with the person who is viewing your property, and if so, who it is.
4. Let a friend or neighbour know that someone is coming to see your home. Give the name, address and telephone number of the person viewing, and time of viewing.
5. Let the viewer know that your friend or neighbour will be dropping by in 20-30 minutes, and arrange with someone to do so. Let the friend or neighbour know that if you phone during the viewing, they should come immediately.
6. If you are uneasy, phone the friend or neighbour you have arranged to pop in so that they come immediately.
How can I find bedsits/studios
Bedsits and studios are treated as 1 bedroom flats. If you add your home as a bedsit or studio then it will be matched against people who require 1 bedroom and a flat. It will also be displayed when people search for a 1 bedroom flat.
I have logged in and seen my details. However, when I try to search, I get a message saying I'm Not Logged In.
This may be because "cookies" are not enabled in your browser. This is what you need to do.
If you're using Internet Explorer Version 6.0
Click on Tools in the menu bar
Select Internet options
Click on the Privacy Tab
Select the Advanced button
In the First-party Cookies column, click on either the 'Accept' or the 'Prompt' radio buttons
Click the 'Always allow session cookies' box so it is ticked
Click on 'OK'
Click on 'OK'
Close down Internet Explorer
Shut down your computer
Restart your computer
If you're using an earlier version of Internet Explorer
Click on Tools in the menu bar
Select Internet options
Click on the Security Tab
Click on Custom Level (At the bottom)
Scroll down till you see 'Cookies'
Enable "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer"
Enable "Allow per session cookies"
Close down Internet Explorer
Shut down your computer
Restart your computer
If you are using Netscape
Click on Edit in the menu bar
Go down to preferences
Click on the Privacy & Security Tab
Select cookies
Select middle option ("Enable cookies from originating website only")
Click on OK
Close down Netscape
Shut down your computer
Restart your computer
need my landlord's permission to swap?
If you swap without permission from both landlords, you could be liable to eviction. If you give or receive money or goods to secure an exchange you could be liable to eviction and/or receive a fine. If your tenancy has recently started it may be that you are not entitled to carry out a mutual exchange. If you are not sure if you have the right to exchange check with your landlord first.
checks should I make before I agree to swap?
Check out the type of tenancy you will be given - there are differences that affect the rent you pay and other things like the Right to Buy. Your landlord should be able to advise you on this. Before you agree to exchange, check what the new rent and any other costs (such as service charges) will be and what the tenancy conditions are.
If repairs are needed, check if they will be carried out and check whether redecoration will be carried out by the landlord. If you are interested in eventually buying the property check that you will be able to do so; most housing association homes cannot be bought by tenants.
Make sure you can afford the moving expenses. If you are claiming Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit, you might qualify for a loan from the Social Fund. You will need to contact your local Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office. Try to keep your expenses to an absolute minimum before moving - there is no legal comeback if your swap partner withdraws from an exchange at any time.
Remember landlords can refuse to give you permission to move for a limited number of reasons. If you think permission has been unreasonably refused get advice from your local councillor your citizen's advice bureau or other housing advice centre.
Who should I tell when I've swapped?
When you find a swap partner and get the go ahead from your landlords please tell UK Home Exchange to make sure the database is up to date.
How do I view a "PDF" file on your site?
Some files on the website are in "PDF" format. To view them you may need a suitable PDF viewer. Click here to download a PDF Viewer(external link opens in a new window)
If I wish to complain about the Service who should I contact?
We aim to provide a quality service. If, however, you feel that you have cause to complain about the Service, you can contact us at the head office address stipulated in the "About Us" section of this website. Alternatively, please email info@ukhouseexchange.com. Please note that this complaints procedure relates strictly to delivery of the Service by us and unfortunately we cannot address any complaints or issues which are landlord, tenant or property specific. All such complaints or enquiries should be directed to the relevant party involved.
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