In the UK having a council or housing association property is an affordable way to live. However it’s unrealistic to stay in the same house for your lifetime.
Reasons for moving include change of job or a change in family arrangements.
Council houses usually have a long waiting list in most boroughs. It can sometimes take years to get to the top of the council’s housing list.
It can take a long time before new council houses become available. For this reason most people favor exchanging their house with another council tenant.
Its common for people to use the internet to find other people to engage in a mutual property exchange. its also possible for people to exchange houses in different parts of the UK if they need to move areas.
To start the exchange process you need to acquire an application form provided the council or housing association.
Once you get the go ahead from the council and do the necessary paperwork its important to make sure your house is desirable to other parties. Its a good idea to decorate and tidy up the house to make finding a suitable exchange more likely. You can get tips from tv, online and magazines. When you are happy its in a tidy state you can begin to move forward.
If you are organised its time to start adding your property to council house swap websites. Make the description good and accurate in the correct area of the UK. Add a few quality photographs to enhance the appearance of your property.
Finding a suitable exchange might take time so its worth browsing regularly on the websites to keep searching for that perfect house.
If your lucky enough to find a suitable property with an interested person you can do a like for like viewing. Make sure you throughly inspect the property. It would be a good idea to do more than one viewings to ensure your satisfied its definately the house for you.
Having a list of questions already thought up is a good idea to ensure you leave no stone unturned. Be thorough and explore the area to look out for any problems which might change your mind. Most people won’t be looking to exchange their house for a poorer property so aim for a like for like exchange.
If you are satisfied that you have found a suitable house and the other party is happy to go ahead with the exchange. Its time to finish the paperwork with your council authority and soon move into your new home. The relatively simple process of moving from one council house to another through a mutual swap.
Best of luck
