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Mutual Exchange

If you are thinking of moving to a different home, you may want to consider a mutual exchange. This allows you to swap your property with another housing association or Local Authority tenant. A mutual exchange can be a good option if you need to downsize to a smaller home, move to a bigger home, live closer to facilities, or relocate closer to your family or workplace.

There are two different ways that you can mutually exchange your home:

Register with HomeSwapper

Homeswapper is the UK's biggest mutual exchange service, with over 400,000 registered users. It's free to register if you are a tenant and is available 24 hours a day. You can search through 1,000s of homes, instant message other users and use their unique Multiswap tool which will help you find the home that's right for you. 

How to use it

  1. Visit www.homeswapper.co.uk and click register. You can also register with Facebook.
  2. Give them all of the information about the home you want, and the home you've got.
  3. Homeswapper will find matches for you, or you can run your own search to find exactly what you're looking for. 
  4. You can contact your matches and chat to the current tenant using the in-system messaging.
  5. Once you've agreed a swap, you can contact your Housing Adviser to continue the process.

Register locally

You can also register your interest locally with the following services depending on your location:

County Durham homes are advertised on Home - Durham Key Options

Hartlepool and Stockton homes are advertised on Hartlepool House Exchange, Hartlepool Mutual Exchange Home Swaps (councilhomeswap.co.uk)

Darlington homes are advertised on Darlington BC - Mutual exchange

What happens next?

Once you have registered your property on Durham Key Options you will receive a reference number which will allow you to log into your account and search for a suitable swap, you will be responsible for contacting other tenants directly who you may wish to swap homes with.

Top Tips for Mutual Exchange

  • Provide as much detail about your home as possible
  • Provide photos of your home to show how nice your property is
  • Add any marketing information (Close to local amenities, schools, transport links etc)
  • Remember to specify where you would like to move to
  • Please provide an email address and contact number so interested parties can contact you regarding your advert
  • When your home is advertised, continue to check your Mutual Exchange account. New homes are added on a regular basis