What is a Mutual Exchange Register ?
It is a register of social housing tenants who want to move home. The scheme allows you to swap with another social housing tenant. It is a self help scheme and it is up to you to advertise your home and look for someone to swap with.
The register is updated each month.
How do I advertise my home?
You can do this by completing a Mutual Exchange Form 
(PDF 5KB, opens in this window) or Phone Customer Services on 01235 515900, email housing@soha.co.uk or download the form from this website.
Where can I look at the Mutual Exchange Register?
Access the Mutual Exchange Register online (PDF approx. 200KB; opens in this window).
The register is also available at the following offices:
Soha Housing
Royal Scot House
99 Station Road
Didcot
Oxon OX11 7NN | Berinsfield Community Business
6 Dorchester House
Wimblestraw Road
Berinsfield
Oxon OX10 7LZ | Berinsfield Information Centre
39 Fane Drive
Berinsfield
Oxon OX10 7NE |
Henley Town Council
Henley Town Hall
Market Place
Henley RG9 2AQ | Thame Town Hall
Thame
Oxon OX9 3DP
| South Oxford District Council
Benson Lane
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford
Oxon OX10 8NF |
What do I do when I find an exchange?
If you find a property on the register and would like to have a look, you must contact the other person, to arrange to view each others property.
What happens when I have agreed to exchange?
If you find someone that you are happy to swap with, you will need to get our permission to move. You should complete a Request to Exchange Form (PDF 23 Kb) or phone Customer Services on 01235 515900 or email housing@soha.co.uk . When we have received your request form, you will be visited at home by your Housing Officer to confirm your details and to check that you have kept your property in good condition. We will give you a decision within 6 weeks. We can only refuse you a swap for one of the reasons below.
Can my exchange be refused?
We can only refuse you a swap for one of the following reasons:
- An eviction notice has been served on either tenant
- Either of the homes are too large or small for the tenants with whom you want to swap
- The home has been built or adapted for people with disabilities or is part of a group of special needs accommodation and the swap would result in the home being occupied by someone without those needs
- Either tenant has rent arrears
- There is an age restriction on either property e.g. sheltered accommodation
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Can exchanging affect my tenancy rights?
If you exchange you take on the same tenancy terms as the tenant you exchange with. This is done through a "deed of assignment". Depending on what kind of tenancy the person you are swapping with has, may mean that you will take on different rights. Your Housing Officer will explain this when they visit you.
To read more about Moving Home, including mutual exchanges and mobility schemes click here to go to the Government's social housing Web pages http://www.direct.gov.uk/socialhousing