What is Mutual Exchange?
Social housing tenants who want to move home can swap with another social housing tenant. Soha has partnered with HomeSwapper (sic) so that our tenants can use this popular service free of charge to find a swap locally or even nationally.
How do I advertise my home?
You can do this by completing a form online at www.homeswapper.co.uk. If you do not have internet access, there are public computers in our reception at Soha offices in Didcot, in public libraries, or you can phone Customer Services on 01235 515900 (from a mobile) or 0800 014 15 45 (free from a landline) or email housing@soha.co.uk for us to help you fill it in over the phone.
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