moving home

• Shared ownership
• Mutual Exchange

Shared ownership

Shared ownership is a home-buying scheme which enables you to buy a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share you do not own. If you wish, you can buy further shares of the property as and when you can afford it, until you own the entire property.

Under this scheme, although you may only have a share of the property, you still have the rights and responsibilities of a full owner.

You can apply for the scheme if you are in housing need and you cannot afford to buy a suitable home in any other way.

Find out more about shared ownership in Haringey

Mutual exchange

What is a Mutual Exchange?

A mutual exchange is when you swap your home with another tenant (provided there is agreement between both landlords).

A mutual exchange is available to you if you are a Homes for Haringey tenant who wishes to swap homes with another Homes for Haringey tenant, or if you are a council or housing association tenant living anywhere in Britain.

What are the benefits of an exchange?

• It can help you to move if you do not qualify for rehousing
• It can provide you with more choice about the size, type and location of your home
• It allows you to move to another area

How do I find someone to exchange with?

There are various schemes available on the internet. The schemes hold nationwide information about tenants who want to carry out a mutual exchange. Follow the links below for more details.

If you do not have access to the internet, you should visit your local library or Customer Services Centre.

• www.homeswapper.co.uk
• www.ukhomeswap.co.uk
• www.councilexchangesite.co.uk
• www.exchangeuk.co.uk
• www.council-exchange.org.uk

Are there any conditions?

• everyone involved in the exchange must have a clear rent account
• the tenants wanting to exchange must not have had a Notice Of Seeking Possession (NOSP) served against them.
• the properties must not be too big or too small for the family intending to move in
• supported housing accommodation and adapted properties are not included in the scheme
• both properties must be in good repair and not damaged by the tenants moving out

There may be other conditions involved in a mutual exchange. For more details please contact your Tenancy Management Officer

What happens once I have found someone to exchange with?

• Both you and the person you are exchanging with will need to complete a Homes for Haringey application form. You can download this form here or call into any Customer Service Centre.
• A Surveyor and a Tenancy Management Officer will inspect your home and discuss any repairs with you.
• If there are any repairs that you are responsible for or that have been caused by deliberate damage, neglect or unauthorised alterations and improvements you will be asked to carry out work before the exchange is agreed.
• If further repairs are found once you have left the property we may ask you to pay for the work.

How long does a Mutual Exchange take to complete?

We consider all exchange requests within six weeks. If you meet the conditions and carry out any repairs that are needed we will write to you to confirm the exchange can take place.

Moving in

It is very important that you do not move until:

• you have the written approval of your new landlord
• you have signed or made arrangements to sign the necessary documents
• we have agreed to allow the other person to move into your home

Before you decide to move you must be satisfied that the property you have chosen is right for you and is in good condition.

We cannot accept responsibility for any problems after an exchange has taken place. You should also be aware that we will not carry out any decorations to your home and you will not be entitled to a decorating allowance.